Whether you’re milking cows, exploring an underground world, or simply taking a scenic drive, your entire family will enjoy a day trip from the Crossroads of the West.
Utah’s capital and the most populous city in the state, Salt Lake City, is an ideal jumping-off point when you want to get away for the day. There are tons of things for families to do, for free or for a small fee, not far from the Crossroads of the West. From a family-friendly, indoor-outdoor entertainment destination to a scenic drive across the state, here are 6 of the best day trips from Salt Lake City.
Thanksgiving Point
Where: 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi
Drive time: About 35 to 40 minutes
Cost: Tickets start at $17 for children, $24 for adults. Thanksgiving Point members and children (under two years old) are free.
Open year-round, Thanksgiving Point is an indoor-and-outdoor family destination with interactive experiences, from milking cows at a working farm to climbing in a Jurassic jungle, dining, and shopping. Visitors can get up close and personal with butterflies in a biosphere, stroll through a 50-acre botanical garden, explore two hands-on museums, and more.
The attractions at Thanksgiving Point are designed to pique an interest in the wonders of science and nature. Special events include a springtime Tulip Festival and a winter holiday light show. This summer brings a festival for America’s 250th anniversary.
“For decades, Thanksgiving Point has created a place where families gather, children discover, and community connects through education and innovation,” said Utah County Commissioner Amelia Powers Gardner in a press release. “The gardens, museums, and programs inspire curiosity and lifelong learning.”
Timpanogos Cave National Monument
Where: American Fork Canyon in the Wasatch Mountain Range
Drive time: About 40 minutes
Cost: Tour tickets start at $10; a reservation is required
The limestone cave system of Timpanogos Cave National Monument is hidden in the alpine cliffs of American Fork Canyon, in the Alpine Loop, near Highland. To explore this fascinating underground landscape, visitors must hike to the top of a mile-and-a-half trail as part of an organized cave tour with a park ranger.
The caves formed around 340 million years ago, but were first discovered in 1887. Connected by human-made tunnels, the caves—Hansen, Middle, and Timpanogos—are known for their colorful, twisted, spiraling helictites, made from calcite or aragonite deposits. At the entrance, 6,730 feet above sea level, tiny fossilized shells and coral are remnants of an antiquated shoreline. Tour goers wander through ancient passageways, past jagged rock pillars and pylons, stalactites, stalagmites, and other geological formations.
Offered Memorial Day through Labor Day, tours take about three hours (including the hike). While they are open to people of all ages, parents should use discretion when bringing their kids. The hike itself is strenuous, and caves can trigger claustrophobia for some people.
Along with the caves, Timpanogos Cave National Monument has two picnic areas, a nature walk, exhibits, and ranger programs. Dining can be found nearby in Lehi, Orem, and Provo.
Heber Valley Railroad
Where: 450 S. 6th W., Heber City
Drive time: About 45 minutes to one hour
Cost: Tickets start at $20; discounts are available for veterans
The Heber Valley Railroad, known by locals as the Heber Creeper, was constructed as part of the Rio Grande Western Railway in 1899. Today, this beloved heritage railroad transports about 100,000 passengers a year on a wide variety of scenic round-trip rides through Heber Valley all year long.
The railroad has a ride for everyone, day and night, whether you’re taking your little ones on a short 40-minute Dinosaur Train or enjoying a 90-minute adults-only curated wine and cheese tasting experience. The summer brings a red, white, and blue Fourth of July Freedom Train, while winter brings the North Pole Express, complete with a visit from Santa. There’s even a train ride for Swifties, a princess and pirate-themed tour, and strictly scenic tours.
Excursions along the 16-mile railroad line run between Heber City and Vivian Park, passing landmarks such as Mount Timpanogos, Cascade Mountain, Deer Creek Dam and Reservoir, Provo River, Sundance Ski Resort, Tate Barn, and Soldier Hollow.
Be sure to check out the full calendar.
Hidden Falls
Where: Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah SR-190
Drive time: About one hour
Cost: Free
A short out-and-back trail near Cottonwood Heights, Hidden Falls is a popular hike for families, rewarding them with a cool, flowing waterfall. Located in Big Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Range, it’s a great launching point for various outdoor adventures in this ancient glacier and steam-carved canyon.
Best hiked May through October, those who have tried it say it’s a quick trip that’s close to the parking area off Big Cottonwood Road. The 0.2-mile route is rocky and sometimes wet, but it’s easy to navigate and passes beautiful scenery and a historic, creepy-looking mine. Depending on the flow’s strength when you visit, kids can play in the water at the foot of the falls.
Big Cottonwood Canyon has tons of trails ranging from easy to difficult, as well as rock-climbing routes, picnic areas, scenic drives, lakes, and backcountry ski access. The world-class Brighton and Solitude ski resorts are found in the canyon’s upper slopes.
Bonneville Salt Flats
Where: Near Wendover
Drive time: About an hour and a half
Cost: Free
Spread across 30,000 acres on the western perimeter of the Great Salt Lake Basin, 120 miles west of Salt Lake City, the Bonneville Salt Flats attract visitors for recreation, events (July through September), and its otherworldly attributes. A remnant of the ancient Lake Bonneville, the 12-by-5-mile stretch looks snowy but is actually encrusted in salt. It’s the largest salt flat west of the Great Salt Lake.
Many people visit the Bonneville Salt Flats to watch others drive or to drive on the hard salt surface themselves (best done when the land is dry). It’s an international hub for car racing, and land speed racers have set many records there.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s also a destination for archery competitions, running races, and scientific research projects. The salt flats’ reflective nature tends to attract photographers and videographers from September through November.
The closest amenities to the flats are in East Wendover. You can cross the border into West Wendover, Nevada, for gaming, dining, and other tourist attractions.
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
Where: SR-150, starting in Kamas
Drive time: About an hour and a half to two hours
Cost: Free to drive; recreational facilities may have fees
A scenic byway with overlooks, picnic areas, waterfalls, alpine lakes, trails, and campgrounds in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Mirror Lake Highway provides easy access to outdoor recreation, stunning wilderness, and Utah history.
This 42-mile mountainous stretch of SR-150 begins in Kamas, ascending and descending through peaks and valleys, ending at the Wyoming border. At an elevation of 10,715 feet, Bald Mountain Pass is the highest peak, offering expansive views from a lookout point. Another popular stop is Provo River Falls, where families can swim and splash around. Hikes along the way range from easy to moderate. If you visit in the fall, you’re in for some of the state’s best leaf-peeping action.
The amenities of Heber City and Park City, like hotels, shops, and other attractions, are only about 17 miles away from the byway entrance.
