Utah, the crossroads of the West and the gateway to the American Rockies, provides scenic beauty, adventure and activities for all interests.
Recreation abounds in Utah, from red-rock canyons to desert valleys, from 16 ski slopes to wild and scenic rivers for rafting. Utah has five national parks, six national monuments and two national recreation areas.
Most popular attractions: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (natural); Temple Square (man-made), Salt Lake City.
Other top sites: Zion National Park; Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area; Bryce Canyon National Park; Wasatch Mountain State Park; Family History Library, Salt Lake City; Arches National Park; Capitol Reef National Park; Dinosaur National Monument; Snow Canyon State Park; Great Salt Lake State Park; Canyonlands National Park.
Top annual events: Utah Arts Festival, Salt Lake City, June 23-27; Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cedar City, June 28-Sept. 4; Days of ’47 Rodeo, Salt Lake City, July 16-24; Days of ’47 Pioneer Day Parade, Salt Lake City, July 24.
Hidden treasure (provided by Shirley Florence, public information officer, Utah Arts Council): “Traveling south on U.S. Highway 191 and onto U.S. 163 in the red-rock country, I passed the usual touristy curio shops in each small town until reaching (on U.S. 163) the area of Monument Valley, a Navajo Tribal Park. Here, along the roadside, small booths-nothing more than frames with sticks, twigs and leaves covering them-dotted the landscape. On close investigation, I was delighted to find each booth housing an array of authentic Native American crafts for sale at very reasonable-and negotiable-prices. There were items such as silver and turquoise jewelry, beads, pottery, baskets and rugs.
“And most appealing of all were the merchants themselves, Navajos mostly, but some Utes or Paiutes-often entire families. An old grandmother in her brightly colored satin blouse and long, full skirt might be found alongside a T-shirted teenager, with small children playing close by or peering shyly from around a corner. With careful shopping among the two dozen or so small booths at the `Monument Valley Mall,’ near the entrance to Monument Valley, I found my treasure (at one-third of what it might have cost in one of the curio shops), a large, beautiful silver-and-turquoise squash-blossom pin, such as those worn by so many of the Navajo women.
“These little booths and their wares are themselves a treasure of Utah, a delightful find for tourists on their way to Monument Valley.”
Information: 801-538-1030.
