Utah is rad

When the time comes for you to travel local or afar, Utah is a must-see in the winter. I curated 6 places you can drive up to without a hiking requirement to see grand landscapes! They range throughout southern Utah. You can do them all in one trip if you have several days to explore. The good news is all the activities below were free when I visited except the national parks.

If you are new to adventuring outdoors, this trip is for you. Perhaps you do not have hiking experience, fitness capability, or outdoor gear— but you want to see the grand landscapes people are posting on Instagram. I’m excited to present a handful of options for you to have amazing sightseeing experiences and postworthy photos.

1. Bryce Canyon National Park

This is my favorite national park to date. Bryce Canyon is located in southern Utah north of Kanab. I was lucky to be there last December the day after a fresh snowfall. It was a storybook winter wonderland. The beauty of this park is that the overlook points and arches are accessible from your vehicle.

2. Goblin Valley State Park

There are over 40 state parks in Utah. Goblin Valley is great for families. You can drive around and hop out of the car to walk around the goblin rock formations. It’s easy and fun! It is on the eastern side of the state far from airports or hubs so you need to plan how to get there with enough daylight remaining.

3. Cascade Falls trail

I want to come back to visit southern Utah and particularly Dixie National Forest for the Cascade Falls Trail again. Amazingly, we had this place to ourselves in late fall on a weekend. You can drive up to the overlook which is a short walk from the car or throw on your hiking boots for a stunning narrow path hike.

4. Goosenecks State Park

Goosenecks State Park is a drive-up overlook and great any time of year. No skills are required and it’s a free activity. The rock formations are shaped like a gooseneck. When I visited it had just started snowing which was a beautiful and peaceful sight. You can spend less than an hour here and feel satisfied. You can cluster this location with other southeastern Utah adventures!

5. Cedar Break National Monument

You have to visit this place at sunset! It was absolutely grand. Point Supreme at Cedar Breaks is located in Iron County Utah in the southwestern area of the state. There are a couple of parking lots where you can get different views of the national monument.

6. Arches National Park

It’s easy to drive around and see beautiful sights at this national park. There are over 2,000 documented arches in Arches National Park. Isn’t that incredible? There is a selection of trails for moderate and advanced adventurers.