• HOME
  • About
  • Shop
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
    • Budget Travel Bible
  • Destinations
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Haiti
      • United States
        • Arizona
        • Florida
        • Hawaii
        • Idaho
        • Illinois
        • Montana
        • Nevada
        • New York
        • Oregon
        • South Dakota
        • Utah
        • Washington
        • Wisconsin
        • Wyoming
        • National Parks
    • Europe
      • Faroe Islands
      • France
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Norway
      • United Kingdom
    • Asia
      • Maldives
    • Oceania
      • Hawaii
      • French Polynesia
        • Bora Bora
        • Tahiti
    • Hotel Reviews
  • Travel Tips
    • Budget Travel Tips
    • Travel Hacking
    • All Travel Tips
  • Travel Essentials
    • Gift Guides
    • Packing Lists
  • Travel Photography
    • Camera Gear
    • Photography Tips
    • Photography Guides
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Search

    Let's be friends!

    A different kind of grief. 📍Mount Fremont Fire A different kind of grief.

📍Mount Fremont Fire Lookout in Mount Rainier National Park
    I’m tired. 😭😂 Okayyyy so this all may be I’m tired.

😭😂

Okayyyy so this all may be true, but without Instagram, I never would have started my travel blog over at indigosahara.com, which has had over a MILLION readers.

And I am so thankful for that.

But yeahhh I’m tired. 💀

Follow @indigosahara for daily travel tips + destination guides!! 🤣
    I am girls. 🧺 I am girls. 🧺
    Those are happy tears btw. ✈️ Just booked a b Those are happy tears btw. ✈️

Just booked a business class lay-flat seat from the USA to Japan for $32.69. Yes, really. 🤯

How?

Easy.

First, I opened one new travel credit card with flexible points and responsibly earned the card’s opening bonus.

Then, after I got a @thriftytraveler email alert for Delta One award availability from the USA to Japan, I transferred those flexible points to an airline transfer partner (in this case, Flying Blue to book a Delta One flight through Air France).

Boom. 89,500 points (which is a bargain, by the way) + $32.69 out of pocket later…

I got myself a biz class flight worth $7000 for less than the cost of our Chipotle order. 💸

Want access to my free beginner guide to points and miles? Comment “Beginner” and I’ll send it over ASAP.
    Yesterday I saw a reel that said, “You hit your Yesterday I saw a reel that said, “You hit your mid 20s and you’re sorted into 1 of 4 houses: 

1. Marathon training.
2. Japan trip.
3. Fantasy books.
4. Cooking everything from scratch.”

Personally… My Japan hotels and flights are booked for November. Also, Kenny’s cooking everything from scratch, and I’m reaping the benefits. 😭😂

Hbu
Travel Blog

Indigo Sahara

Travel Reviews, Guides, Tips & Travel Hacking

  • Destinations
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Haiti
      • United States
        • Arizona
        • Florida
        • Hawaii
        • Idaho
        • Illinois
        • Montana
        • Nevada
        • New York
        • Oregon
        • South Dakota
        • Utah
        • Washington
        • Wisconsin
        • Wyoming
        • National Parks
    • Europe
      • Faroe Islands
      • France
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Norway
      • United Kingdom
    • Asia
      • Maldives
    • Oceania
      • French Polynesia
        • Bora Bora
        • Tahiti
      • Hawaii
    • South America
    • Hotel Reviews
  • Travel Tips
    • Budget Travel Tips
    • Travel Hacking
    • All Travel Tips
  • Travel Essentials
    • All Travel Essentials
    • Packing Lists
    • Gift Guides
  • Travel Photography
    • Camera Gear
    • Photography Tips
    • Photography Guides

Unique Things To Do In Utah

By: Indigo Sahara, M.A. | Published: January 4, 2023 | Updated: January 5, 2024

Looking for unique things to do in Utah this year? You’ve come to the right place.

Unique Things To Do In Utah

After road tripping around Utah for nearly a month, I witnessed some of the most otherworldly, bizarre and jaw-dropping landscapes of my entire life.

Between these Salt Lake City hidden gems, Moab hidden gems and southern Utah hidden gems, your Utah trip itinerary will be filled to the brim with some of the most unique things to do in the entire nation.

Without further ado, here are the 12 most unique things to do in Utah.

Unique Things To Do In Utah

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • 1. Rainbow Mountains
  • 2. Goblin Valley State Park
  • 3. Bonneville Salt Flats
  • 4. Pink Lake
  • 5. Dugway Geode Beds
  • 6. Canyonlands National Park
  • 7. Corona Arch
  • 8. Potash Road
  • 9. Moab Instagram Spots
  • 10. Zion National Park’s Non-Hikes (Unique Things To Do In Utah)
  • 11. Moqui Sand Caves (Unique Things To Do In Utah)
  • 12. Belly Of The Dragon (Unique Things To Do In Utah)
  • What is the coolest place in Utah?
  • More Unique Things To Do In Utah
  • Save These Unique Things To Do In Utah

1. Rainbow Mountains

unique things to do in utah

The legendary rainbow mountains of Utah, also known as “Mars” and the “Bentonite Hills,” consist of blue, red, purple, and green clays.

Created by Jurassic Era volcanic ash, the regional clay gives the hills an intergalactic rainbow pattern, which is exactly why this mountain range is No. 1 on this list of unique things to do in Utah.

The rainbow mountains in Utah are scattered between Capitol Reef National Park and Canyonlands National Park, with the most colorful hills northeast of Capitol Reef and just west of Hanksville, Utah. You can read more about where to find Utah’s rainbow mountains here.

2. Goblin Valley State Park

hidden gems in utah

Similar to the rainbow mountains, extraterrestrial sandstone rock formations nicknamed “goblins” (scientifically known as hoodoos) flood Goblin Valley State Park.

The otherworldly ambience of Goblin Valley State Park seemingly transports you to another planet.

Plus, you can easily visit Goblin Valley in an hour or two, making it an excellent quick stop on any Utah road trip itinerary.

3. Bonneville Salt Flats

utah hidden gems

Likewise, you can expect a ton of unique scenery at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Bright white, dried patches of salt stretch from east to west as far as the human eye can see, which is why this free tourist spot has spread a viral wildfire across social media in the last couple years.

However, despite the immense beauty found here, you should be prepared for any kind of weather at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

4. Pink Lake

southern utah hidden gems

Pink Lake is, believe it or not, a pink-colored lake located just outside of Salt Lake City.

Between the Bonneville-like salty lake floor and the naturally rose-tinted waves, this dreamy body of saltwater is straight from a fairytale.

Clearly, Pink Lake is one of the most unique things to do in Utah, so it ought to be on your radar for hidden gems near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Unique Things To Do In Utah

5. Dugway Geode Beds

salt lake city utah hidden gems

Next, fulfill your childhood rockhounding dreams (and/or share this nostalgia with your own kids), by hunting for geodes at the Dugway Geode Beds.

These Utah geode beds are completely free to visit and excavate, and I personally could have spent an entire day there, even as an adult, without feeling bored.

For tips on amateur geode hunting and where to find the Dugway Geode Beds, click here.

6. Canyonlands National Park

moab utah hidden gems

Everyone knows about the legendary Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. But, believe it or not, there is another national park located in Moab with equally stunning landscapes: Canyonlands National Park.

As the name suggests, Canyonlands is home to thousands of marvelous Utah canyons.

Even if you are only able to spend a few hours in Canyonlands National Park, stopping here is essential on your Moab trip.

7. Corona Arch

hidden gems in park city utah

Corona Arch is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful natural arch rock formations in the entire United States. Although Delicate Arch inside Arches National Park may be the most famous Moab arch, Corona arch comes as a close second.

You can expect a moderate round-trip hike under 2.5 miles to get to Corona Arch. The trail is marked; however, the markings are wearing. For more information about the hike to Corona Arch, you can check out my guide for the best free things to do in Moab.

Also, unlike Delicate Arch, Corona Arch is located outside the national parks on BLM land, which means the arch is completely free to visit year-round. (Photographers, this also means you can fly your drone here.)

8. Potash Road

hidden gems in southern utah

Furthermore, on Potash Road, the same street where the Corona Arch trailhead is located, you can have numerous other unique free Moab adventures.

For example, you can rock climb up natural rock walls, discover ancient petroglyphs and even witness fossilized dinosaur tracks.

Because Potash Road is situated outside of the Moab national park boundaries, there are no fees for any of the exciting things to do along the road. You can learn more about these free things to do in Moab here.

9. Moab Instagram Spots

hidden gems in moad utah

Besides the Moab hidden gems just mentioned, you can also visit any of the epic Moab Instagram spots for more photogenic unique things to do in Utah.

Whether you visit the Moab Instagram spots inside or outside the national parks, you’re sure to discover some of the most iconic views in the entire state.

Of course, you’ll want to take a ton of photos, so be sure to bring your best travel camera gear.

10. Zion National Park’s Non-Hikes (Unique Things To Do In Utah)

southern utah

Moving on to a few southern Utah hidden gems, Zion National Park offers a few under-the-radar things to do in Utah that surprisingly don’t require any strenuous hiking.

For instance, if you’re not a fan of hiking long distances, you can ride through Zion’s scenic drive, take a flat leisurely walk alongside Zion’s mountains or drive through the notorious Mt. Carmel tunnel instead.

For more details on things to do in Zion National Park besides hiking, tap here.

11. Moqui Sand Caves (Unique Things To Do In Utah)

moab utah things to do
springdale utah

Next, just outside of the southern Utah national parks lies two of the most unique things to do in Utah: the Moqui Sand Caves and the Belly Of The Dragon.

First, the Moqui Sand Caves are a group of caves that are, as the name alludes to, filled with bright orange sand.

Despite the short yet deceivingly difficult 5-minute hike to the caves, the Moqui Sand Caves are a must-stop on your way through southern Kanab, Utah. Like many of the other unique things to do in Utah listed here, these caves are free to visit. All you have to do is park in the small lot across the street and hike to the caves.

12. Belly Of The Dragon (Unique Things To Do In Utah)

utah bucket list

Finally, the Belly Of The Dragon, also located in Kanab, is a walk-through tunnel that was accidentally manmade from a highway water drainage system.

The draining water carved the walls of the tunnel in a unique shape that resembles the inside of a dragon’s belly.

Like the Moqui Sand Caves, you can walk through the Belly Of The Dragon for free. Thankfully, the walk to the tunnel is much easier than to the Moqui Sand Caves. Although, if you’re visiting with young kids, you may need to lift them down into the tunnel entrance.

What is the coolest place in Utah?

unique things to do in utah

Overall, the coolest place in Utah is Utah’s rainbow mountains. You will never see anything anywhere else in the world like the rainbow mountains in Utah.

From the hills’ remote location to the brilliantly colored bentonite clay, being at the Utah rainbow mountains truly feels like being on another planet.

Again, you can check out the ultimate guide to Utah’s rainbow mountains here.

Unique Things To Do In Utah

Have any questions about these Utah hidden gems? Let me know in the reply section below. I’m happy to help!

Unique Things To Do In Utah

More Unique Things To Do In Utah

Utah Road Trip Itinerary: 7-Day Ultimate Tour Of Utah (With Map)
7 Insanely Easy Hikes In Arches National Park
Half Day In Canyonlands National Park: How To See Everything In A Few Hours
Capitol Reef National Park Half Day Itinerary: How To See Capitol Reef In A Day Or Less

Save These Unique Things To Do In Utah

Save these unique things to do in Utah for later by sharing to socials.

  • Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest Share on Pinterest
  • Share via Email Share via Email

By: Indigo Sahara, M.A.

About Indigo Sahara, M.A.

Indigo Sahara, M.A., is the founder and CEO of the Indigo Sahara travel blog. Since earning her master's degree in global leadership, she has traveled to more than 20 countries. Now, her goal is to make travel accessible to all by teaching others how to travel on a budget. She writes world travel guides and travel hacking tips weekly.

you’ll also love

venice day tripsVenice Day Trip Itinerary To See Absolutely Everything
what to wear in ireland in summerWhat To Wear In Ireland In Summer
chicago weekend getawayThe Ultimate Chicago Weekend Getaway Itinerary

Get exclusive content.

Stay up-to-date & receive the latest travel guides and tips right to your inbox.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

Utah Packing List: Everything You Need For Utah

Primary Sidebar

Meet Indigo

Meet Indigo
hello!

I'm Indigo, a 27-year-old full-time travel blogger who's on a mission to make travel accessible to all through budget travel tips and bucket list destination guides.

Read More

Let's Be Social

get exclusive content

Search The Blog

Pinterest

Facebook

Indigo Sahara

Catch Up On The Lastest Posts

Follow On Instagram

@indigosahara

A different kind of grief. 📍Mount Fremont Fire A different kind of grief.

📍Mount Fremont Fire Lookout in Mount Rainier National Park
I’m tired. 😭😂 Okayyyy so this all may be I’m tired.

😭😂

Okayyyy so this all may be true, but without Instagram, I never would have started my travel blog over at indigosahara.com, which has had over a MILLION readers.

And I am so thankful for that.

But yeahhh I’m tired. 💀

Follow @indigosahara for daily travel tips + destination guides!! 🤣
I am girls. 🧺 I am girls. 🧺
Those are happy tears btw. ✈️ Just booked a b Those are happy tears btw. ✈️

Just booked a business class lay-flat seat from the USA to Japan for $32.69. Yes, really. 🤯

How?

Easy.

First, I opened one new travel credit card with flexible points and responsibly earned the card’s opening bonus.

Then, after I got a @thriftytraveler email alert for Delta One award availability from the USA to Japan, I transferred those flexible points to an airline transfer partner (in this case, Flying Blue to book a Delta One flight through Air France).

Boom. 89,500 points (which is a bargain, by the way) + $32.69 out of pocket later…

I got myself a biz class flight worth $7000 for less than the cost of our Chipotle order. 💸

Want access to my free beginner guide to points and miles? Comment “Beginner” and I’ll send it over ASAP.
Yesterday I saw a reel that said, “You hit your Yesterday I saw a reel that said, “You hit your mid 20s and you’re sorted into 1 of 4 houses: 

1. Marathon training.
2. Japan trip.
3. Fantasy books.
4. Cooking everything from scratch.”

Personally… My Japan hotels and flights are booked for November. Also, Kenny’s cooking everything from scratch, and I’m reaping the benefits. 😭😂

Hbu

Footer

Blog

  • Destinations
  • Travel Tips
  • Travel Essentials
  • Travel Photography
  • Camera Gear

Info

  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Portfolio
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Refund And Returns Policy

stay in the know

Copyright Indigo Sahara © 2025 · Theme by 17th Avenue

We use cookies to provide you with a great user experience. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies.Accept