Salt Lake City is your final launchpad for journey—the place snowy peaks, pink rock wonders, and shimmering salt flats are all only a quick drive away. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls in Provo Canyon, stargazing within the West Desert, or mountain climbing to alpine lakes, these straightforward day journeys from Salt Lake City ship epic reminiscences with out the lengthy haul.
Pro Tip: Book a comfortable keep on CuddlyNest to recharge after your explorations—as a result of each adventurer deserves a snug house base!
P.S. Want to increase your Utah journey? [Read our Salt Lake City to Arches National Park: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide!]
Destination
Drive Time
Best Season
Highlights
Unique Feature
Stay Recommendation
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
2 hours
June-Oct
• 20+ alpine lakes• Fishing & kayaking• Fall foliage
Highest paved highway in UT (10,687 ft)
Holiday Inn Express Kamas
Park City
45 minutes
Year-round
• Ski resorts• Historic Main St• Olympic Park
Largest US ski resort + Sundance Film Festival
Montage Deer Valley
Bear Lake
2.5 hours
June-Sept
• Turquoise waters• Raspberry shakes• Water sports activities
“Caribbean of the Rockies” blue hue
Conestoga Ranch
Bonneville Salt Flats
1.5 hours
May-Oct
• Land velocity racing• Photography• Stargazing
Flattest place on Earth (30,000 acres)
Super 8 Wendover
Antelope Island
1 hour
Spring/Fall
• Bison herds• Saltwater floating• Hiking trails
Best wildlife viewing close to SLC
DoubleTree Suites
Pro Tip: All really helpful stays can be found on CuddlyNest – ebook your good journey basecamp at the moment!
Quick Comparison:
Shortest Drive • Most Unique • Best for Families • Top Photography • Winter Pick • Summer Pick
1. Mirror Lake Scenic Byway – Alpine Paradise within the Uinta Mountains
Drive Time: 2 hours | Cost: $6 automobile price | Best Season: June-October
How to Get There: Take I-80 East to Exit 146 (Kamas/Park City), then observe UT-248 north by means of Kamas. Continue on Mirror Lake Highway (UT-150) – the scenic byway begins right here and winds 42 miles by means of the Uinta Mountains to Mirror Lake.
The Mirror Lake Scenic Byway is hands-down certainly one of Utah’s most breathtaking drives, winding by means of the gorgeous Uinta Mountains to succeed in pristine alpine lakes. This 42-mile scenic route takes you previous:
Mirror Lake – Perfect for fishing, kayaking, and reflection images
Over 20 crystal-clear mountain lakes
Hiking trails starting from straightforward walks to difficult backcountry adventures
Spectacular fall colors in September
What Makes It Special: The highest paved highway in Utah, reaching 10,687 toes elevation with panoramic views of the Wasatch Range and infinite mountain vistas.
Stay Nearby: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Kamas affords comfy lodging with mountain views. Don’t wait – safe your mountain getaway on CuddlyNest for the very best charges and availability!
2. Park City – Year-Round Adventure Hub
Drive Time: 45 minutes | Cost: Free to discover downtown | Best Time: Year-round
In the summer season, Park City is a mountain climbing and mountain biking haven, and within the winter, it’s a world-class ski vacation spot. This quaint mountain city gives:
Historic Main Street with artwork galleries, boutique purchasing, and eating
Sundance Film Festival venue (January)
Epic snowboarding at Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley
Summer actions: mountain climbing, mountain biking, alpine slides
Utah Olympic Park – tour the 2002 Winter Olympics services
What Makes It Special: Home to the biggest ski resort within the US and host metropolis for quite a few worldwide occasions, sustaining its small-town allure whereas providing world-class facilities.
Stay Nearby: Montage Deer Valley gives luxurious lodging with ski-in/ski-out entry. Book your Park City escape on CuddlyNest and expertise mountain luxurious at its best!
3. Bear Lake State Park – “Caribbean of the Rockies”
Drive Time: 2.5 hours | Cost: $10 day-use price | Best Season: June-September
Bear Lake’s good turquoise waters create a surprising distinction in opposition to the encompassing mountains, incomes its nickname because the “Caribbean of the Rockies.” This pure surprise affords:
Swimming in surprisingly heat waters (for a mountain lake!)
Boating and water sports activities on the pristine lake
Fishing for the well-known Bear Lake cutthroat trout
Camping at a number of state park places
Famous raspberry shakes from native stands
Nature walks and wildlife viewing alternatives
What Makes It Special: The lake’s distinctive limestone-suspended sediments create its distinctive Caribbean-blue colour, making it some of the photographed locations within the area and an ideal place for summer season actions.
Stay Nearby: Conestoga Ranch affords rustic allure with lake views.
4. Bonneville Salt Flats – Otherworldly Desert Experience
Drive Time: 1.5 hours west | Cost: Free | Best Time: May-October
How to Get There: Take I-80 West for 110 miles to Exit 4 (Bonneville Speedway). The salt flats are instantly seen from the interstate. Park on the relaxation space and stroll onto the flats, or proceed to the Bonneville Speedway for organised occasions.
The Bonneville Salt Flats supply a surreal panorama that seems like stepping onto one other planet. This distinctive vacation spot options:
30,000 acres of crystalline salt formations stretching to the horizon
Land velocity racing occasions all through summer season months
Photography paradise with infinite white horizons and distinctive panorama
Sunset and dawn viewing alternatives with unobstructed 360-degree views
Racing historical past – house to quite a few world land velocity data
Complete silence and huge open areas in contrast to wherever else
What Makes It Special: This remnant of historical Lake Bonneville creates one of many flattest surfaces on Earth, the place you’ll be able to see the curvature of the planet and expertise the final word in pure magnificence and solitude.
Stay Nearby: Super 8 by Wyndham Wendover gives comfy lodging on the Nevada border.
5. Antelope Island State Park – Great Salt Lake’s Hidden Gem
Drive Time: 1 hour | Cost: $10 per automobile | Best Time: Year-round (keep away from summer season warmth)
Antelope Island gives the proper introduction to the Great Salt Lake whereas providing various wildlife viewing and out of doors actions:
American bison herd – over 500 bison roam freely throughout the island
Antelope, bighorn sheep, and coyotes wildlife viewing alternatives
Hiking trails with breathtaking vistas of the lake and Wasatch Mountains
Floating within the ultra-salty waters of Great Salt Lake (convey contemporary water for rinsing!)
Visitor heart with displays concerning the lake’s ecology and island historical past
Photography alternatives with dramatic landscapes and wildlife
What Makes It Special: This 42-square-mile island affords the very best wildlife viewing in northern Utah whereas offering gorgeous panoramic views throughout the Great Salt Lake, making it an ideal possibility for nature lovers and out of doors lovers.
Stay Nearby: DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel gives comfy lodging with straightforward island entry.
Plan Like a Pro: Essential Tips for Your Salt Lake City Day Trips
Best Time to Visit Salt Lake City for Day Trips
Spring (April-May): Wildflowers bloom, gentle temps (best for Antelope Island & Park City)
Summer (June-Aug): Peak season for alpine lakes (Mirror Lake) & Bear Lake swimming
Fall (Sept-Oct): Stunning foliage in Provo Canyon & Uintas, fewer crowds
Winter (Nov-Mar): Ski season in Park City, surreal snowscapes at Salt Flats
Pro Tip: Avoid July-August noon warmth at Antelope Island—go to at dawn/sundown for wildlife and cooler temps!
Hidden Gems Near Each Destination
Near Mirror Lake: Stop at Provo River Falls (15 minutes off the freeway)
Near Park City: Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway (free, epic views)
Near Bear Lake: Minnetonka Cave (1-hour detour, 9-room limestone cave)
Near Salt Flats: Silver Island Mountains (surreal blue-hued hills)
Near Antelope Island: Spiral Jetty (notorious land-art sculpture)
Kid-Friendly/Day Trip Hacks for Families
Best for Kids: Bear Lake (shallow waters), Park City alpine slides, Antelope Island bison safari
Snack Stops: Beehive Grill in Logan (en path to Bear Lake) and Swanny Park in Park City (picnic-friendly)
Car Entertainment: Download the “GuideAlong” app for audio excursions of scenic drives
Safety Tips for Utah Adventures
Altitude Sickness: Hydrate 2x greater than normal within the Uintas (10,000+ ft elevation)
Salt Flats Warning: Don’t drive on moist salt (can lure autos)
Wildlife: Stay 100+ ft from bison at Antelope Island
Cell Service: Download offline maps (no service in Mirror Lake space)
Critical Note: The Salt Flats can disorient you—convey a compass and mark your automobile’s location!
Wrap Up Your Adventure & Rest Easy!
You’ve received the final word day journey sport plan—now all that’s left is to hit the highway and make reminiscences! Whether you’re kayaking on Mirror Lake, snapping pics on the Salt Flats, or attempting to find bison on Antelope Island, Utah’s adventures are calling your title.
But let’s be actual—each explorer wants a comfortable nest to crash in after a day of epic sights. Skip the boring resort chains and ebook a novel keep on CuddlyNest as a substitute! Think:
Rustic cabins close to Park City (scorching tub included, clearly)
Lakefront retreats steps from Bear Lake’s turquoise waters
Desert-chic spots for stargazing after Salt Flats adventures
Your good house base is only a click on away! 👉 [Book Now on CuddlyNest] and get up refreshed for spherical two.
Pro Tip: Pack your sense of journey—we’ll deal with the comfortable beds!
FAQs For Day Trips From Salt Lake City
1. Are these day journeys pet-friendly?
It varies! Dogs are allowed at Bear Lake (on leash) and Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (in National Forest areas), however Antelope Island restricts pets attributable to wildlife. Always verify park guidelines earlier than bringing furry associates.
2. What’s the very best day journey for seniors or restricted mobility?
Park City’s Main Street is wheelchair-friendly with retailers/eating, whereas Bonneville Salt Flats affords flat, accessible strolling. Mirror Lake has some paved viewpoints however restricted trails.
3. Where can I lease gear (kayaks, bikes, and so on.) close to these spots?
Bear Lake: Rent boats/jet skis at Bear Lake Fun
Park City: Try Jans Mountain Outfitters for bikes
Mirror Lake: Bring your individual gear—no leases close by!
4. Are there guided excursions accessible for these day journeys?
Yes! Park City has historic strolling excursions, Antelope Island affords ranger-led wildlife applications, and Bonneville has speedway occasion excursions (seasonal). DIY choices are plentiful too.
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