Top 10 Most Interesting Facts About Utah

1. State Motto: "Industry."
2. State Bird: California Gull.
3. State Flower: Sego Lily.
4. Utah is home to the “Mighty Five” National Parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef.
5. The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
6. Utah hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, boosting tourism in Park City and Salt Lake City.
7. The Bonneville Salt Flats are so flat that they’re used for land speed record attempts.
8. Utah is known for its world-class skiing, with Utah’s snow often called “The Greatest Snow on Earth.”
9. Temple Square in Salt Lake City attracts millions of visitors annually.
10. Utah has over 2,000 natural arches, most of them found in Arches National Park.

Geography of Utah

Utah’s geography is as diverse as its culture, offering everything from deserts to mountains:

• Highest Point: Kings Peak (13,528 feet).
• Lowest Point: Beaver Dam Wash (2,000 feet).
• Major Rivers: Colorado River, Green River, and Bear River.

A Brief History of Utah

Utah’s history is deeply tied to Native American cultures, westward expansion, and the arrival of pioneers:

• Utah was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Ute, Paiute, Navajo, and Shoshone.
• Mormon pioneers, led by Brigham Young, arrived in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
• Utah became the 45th state in the Union on January 4, 1896.
• The state played a major role in westward expansion with the completion of the transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit in 1869.

Top 20 Things to Do in Utah

1. Hike Angels Landing in Zion National Park.
2. Visit Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.
3. Explore hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park.
4. Tour Temple Square in Salt Lake City.
5. See the vast canyons of Canyonlands National Park.
6. Discover Capitol Reef National Park’s stunning landscapes.
7. Marvel at Monument Valley’s red rock formations.
8. Ski or snowboard in Park City.
9. Boat on Lake Powell.
10. Spot bison at Antelope Island State Park.
11. Hit the slopes at Snowbird Ski Resort.
12. Hike the Wave (with a permit).
13. Explore Goblin Valley’s unique rock formations.
14. Fish or boat at Flaming Gorge.
15. Drive across the Bonneville Salt Flats.
16. Take in the views at Dead Horse Point State Park.
17. See fossils at Dinosaur National Monument.
18. Visit ancient ruins at Hovenweep National Monument.
19. Hike Provo Canyon and see Bridal Veil Falls.
20. Explore the dunes at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

Plan Your Visit

For more information about Utah, visit the state’s official tourism site: Visit Utah