Have you ever seen free-moving sand dunes? Better yet, have you ever gone SLEDDING on free-moving sand dunes? “Since when does she go to the dunes?” (Name that movie. Location: South of Salt Lake City, near Capitol Reef National ParkĬlick here for more information 3. Hiking and mountain biking trails for all ages and skill levels make this puzzling place fun and memorable for anyone. Go on a self-guided gazing tour, or join one of the monthly ranger-led events. They’ve been named some of the darkest in the world thanks to the almost complete lack of light pollution in the area. Goblin Valley’s night skies are almost as notable as its hoodoos. Goblin Valley was discovered in mainstream American culture by cowboys searching for cattle, and we can only imagine their surprise when they found such an unusual place! Its famously-odd geological formations called hoodoos are unlike anything you’ve ever seen. However, visitors are still welcome to walk on the flats any time of year!Ĭlick here for more information 2. Not only are cars almost certain to get stuck in the wet, sticky top layer, but it also destroys the delicate ecosystems of the salt flats that are essential to the area. Visitors can drive on the hard salt flats with almost any kind of car in the summer months but are highly discouraged from doing so in wetter seasons (fall, winter, spring). Many land speed records have been set and broken at the Bonneville Speedway. In the summer months, the salty top layer is so dry and hard that it becomes the perfect surface for high-speed racing. Many movies have been filmed here, including Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Independence Day, Independence Day: Resurgence, The Need for Speed, and more. Formed when the ancient, salty Lake Bonneville dried up thousands of years ago, these flats are covered with a layer of salt so thick, it makes certain portions almost completely inhospitable to life. Setting foot on the Bonneville Salt Flats feels like setting foot on another planet in a galaxy far, far away. There’s no doubt that one of Salt Lake City’s greatest appeals is its proximity to the Wasatch mountains: beauty, hikes, skiing, bike trails, and fresh air….the appeal is endless but if you’re anxious for something a little different, then check out these unforgettable day-trips from Salt Lake City.

Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, Park City.

Salt flats utah tours