Denver to Salt Lake City Road Trip

We’re nearing the end of summer, but there’s still plenty of time to get in those weekend trips and explore more of the country with your family, friends, or riding solo before fall hits and the temperatures start to drop. One of the best things about living in Colorado is the abundance of gorgeous spots in and around the state, and the stunning states we get to call our neighbors. One of those in particular that offers breathtaking views and a hiker’s paradise is Utah. If you’ve ever been to Moab, you know just how true that is, but if you keep on trucking to Salt Lake City, you’ll find plenty of hidden gems there, too.

Quick Weekend

The bright side of being so close to Utah and Salt Lake is that you can pack up and make a quick weekend trip of it without feeling like you have no time to explore while you’re at it. You could head out Friday morning, be in Salt Lake City by Friday night, and head back Sunday afternoon without feeling jipped with too much travel, and in a world where extracurricular and summertime activities fill up schedules quickly, that kind of maximization of time is priceless.

Scenic Routes

You can easily take I-80 on over and call it a day, but the beauty of the Wild West is that there are a number of other routes you can take as well, some that offer much more impressive scenery with the addition of just a couple of hours onto your drive time. You can also take I-70 up through the mountains, a twistier, turnier option but with much prettier views and only about an extra hour of drive time.

The Great Salt Lake

Of course, there is plenty to do in Salt Lake City itself, but one of the main attractions, we’re sure you won’t be surprised to find, is indeed, the lake after which the city is named. As the largest saltwater lake in the Western hemisphere, it’s about the closest thing you’ll get to the ocean without actually heading to a coast and dipping your toes in the real deal. There are plenty of activities to take part in on and around the lake, even if that’s the only destination you hit for a fun family weekend, you’ll be anything but bored.

Outdoor Fix

And of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the many, many miles of hiking available around the area? Moab isn’t the only outdoorsperson hot spot in the great state of Utah. There are places like Willow and White Pine Lake that are stunning mountain lakes to rival even some of what you’re used to if you explore in Colorado frequently. There are canyons and waterfalls and high-elevation trails that overlook that Great Salt Lake. In short, there’s something for everyone, water or trail or peak lover alike.

No matter what it is about Utah that piques your interest, there are plenty of things to soak up in Salt Lake City. Got plans this weekend? What are you waiting for? Pack up the family and head out, make some memories in the great outdoors and check another state off your list of places to travel.