Utah’s Outdoor Adventures

Whether your kids attend public high schools or college prep boarding schools, they are home for the summer. Instead of letting them sit around the house watching television and playing video games, get out and explore wild Utah. Here are some exciting outdoor adventures in Utah.

Raft the Cataract Canyon in Canyonlands National Park

There’s no better break from studying at college prep boarding schools than the intense white-water rapids of the Cataract Canyon. This five-day journey across 100 miles of river is guaranteed to be exciting. Camping along the journey is part of the experience. There are also hikes along the way where you can see petroglyphs and dwellings of ancient peoples.

Hike Angels Landing in Zion National Park

Don’t miss out on the spectacular view from Angels Landing. Climbing 440 meters, this half-mile hike is not an easy one. If you or a family member is afraid of heights, be aware that the final stretch of this hike goes across a narrow spine of rocks with 30-meter drops on both sides. When you make it across, you will understand why they call it Angels Landing.

Hike to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park

The Delicate Arch is easily the most iconic landmark in Utah. Your kids have probably learned a little about the arch from college prep boarding schools — or by looking at state license plates. The three-mile hike to the famous Delicate Arch is traveled by people from all over the world. Once you see the Delicate Arch close up, you will see that it is not delicate at all.

Stargazing at Bryce Canyon National Park

Is your family interested in astronomy? On clear nights you can see nearly 7,500 stars out in the desert. This is possible because Bryce Canyon is the national park with the highest elevation in Utah; Bryce Canyon is also very far away from the light pollution of the big cities.

These are just a few suggestions, but there are hundreds of outdoor adventures in Utah. Get the family together and get out this summer.

Joshua Valdivia is an academic writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Wasatch Academy. Follow on Twitter.