By Tanner Manning
Tanner Manning is a financial planning associate in Salt Lake City, working with clients in the Kansas City area, Phoenix, and Utah Valley.
While Searcy Financial Services is based in Kansas City, I work remotely out of Utah. I was born and raised here, and I’ve always appreciated how much this area has to offer. Many of the clients I work with in Kansas City and across the country recognize Utah national parks as world-class destinations for outdoor adventure, and that reputation is well deserved. If you’re ever considering a trip out this way, I wanted to share a few ideas and places that tend to stand out. The time of year definitely matters, but these are the places I usually bring up when friends, family, or clients ask me what’s worth seeing first.
Utah’s National Parks and State Parks
Utah’s national parks are often the first thing people think about, and for good reason. Each one has a distinct landscape and feel.
The “Mighty Five”
These parks are home to some of the best hikes in Utah, from the iconic Narrows in Zion to the hoodoo trails of Bryce Canyon National Park:
- Zion National Park – Known for its towering canyon walls and hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows
- Bryce Canyon National Park – Famous for its hoodoos and unique rock formations
- Arches National Park – Home to over 2,000 natural stone arches
- Canyonlands National Park – Expansive views and rugged terrain
- Capitol Reef National Park – Often less crowded, with a mix of cliffs, canyons, and historic sites
While you can visit all the parks year-round, spring and fall usually bring more moderate weather. Summer can mean bigger crowds and intense heat, especially in southern Utah.
Moab: A Hub for Adventure
Moab sits near Arches and Canyonlands, so it’s a great home base if you want to fit a lot of outdoor activities into one trip. Depending on your interests, you could easily spend several days here.
Popular activities include:
- Hiking through red rock landscapes
- River floating on the Colorado River
- Jeeping and off-road exploration
- Mountain biking on world-class trails
It’s one of those places where you can be as active or as relaxed as you want, based on how you plan your trip.
Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley offers a different kind of experience. The rock formations here resemble something from another world. It’s less structured than many national parks, which makes it a good option for families or anyone who enjoys exploring at their own pace.
Park City and Salt Lake City
If you want outdoor access without giving up restaurants, hotels, shopping, or events, Park City and Salt Lake City are good places to start.
Year-Round Activities
- Winter: Skiing and snowboarding at resorts like Park City Mountain and Deer Valley
- Summer: Hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor festivals
Park City, in particular, has developed into a destination that blends outdoor recreation with dining, shopping, and events. Salt Lake City offers similar access to the mountains with a more urban feel.
For many visitors, this area serves as a starting point before heading further south into the national parks.
Southern Utah
Highway 12: For those who enjoy road trips, southern Utah has some of the most scenic drives in the country. Highway 12 is a favorite for both tourists and long-time Utah residents, and it’s the kind of drive that feels awe-inspiring every time.The route connects several parks and passes through a variety of landscapes, from alpine forests to desert canyons.
Boulder Mountain: Whether you like camping, fishing, hunting, or riding offroad vehicles, Boulder Mountain has it all. I’ve gone camping here my whole life and absolutely love the peace and serenity that this part of Utah has to offer.
Lake Powell
Nearby, Lake Powell provides a different pace:
- Boating and water activities
- Swimming and relaxing along the shoreline
This combination of scenic driving and water access can create a well-rounded trip, especially during warmer months.
St. George: Warm Weather and Easy Access
St. George is known for its warmer climate, especially during the fall, winter, and early spring. It’s a popular destination for those looking to escape colder temperatures.
Activities in the Area
- Golfing on scenic desert courses
- Hiking and biking trails
- Outdoor performances at Tuacahn Amphitheatre
- Boating and swimming
Nearby Destinations
St. George also serves as a gateway to:
- Snow Canyon State Park
- Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
- Zion National Park
- Sand Hollow State Park
This makes it a convenient base for exploring multiple areas without needing to move around too much.
Bear Lake: A Shared Utah-Idaho Destination
Bear Lake, Utah is one of those places that doesn’t always make the national park lists but tends to leave a lasting impression. Located on the Utah-Idaho border, the lake is known for its bright blue water and relaxed atmosphere.
What Makes It Unique
- Half of the lake sits in Utah, and half in Idaho
- Popular for boating, swimming, and summer vacations
- A common getaway spot for Utah residents
If your travel plans include Idaho, this is an easy addition that gives you a different type of outdoor experience compared to the desert landscapes further south.
Tanner’s Personal Favorites
Favorite Restaurants
- JCW’s (Various Locations)
- The Philadelphian (Sandy Utah)
- Joe Bandito’s (Springville Utah)
- Slacker’s Burger Joint (Torrey Utah)
Favorite Activities
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing – especially at Boulder Mountain
- Hunting
- Hiking – Mt. Loafer up Payson Canyon is very beautiful
- Riding Motorcycles
Planning Considerations
As you think about visiting Utah or Southern Idaho, a few practical considerations can make a difference:
- Seasonality matters: Summer heat in southern Utah can be intense, while winter conditions in northern areas can affect access
- Travel distances: Many of these destinations are several hours apart
- Reservations: National parks and popular areas may require advance planning, especially during peak seasons
I’d recommend deciding what matters most before you go, because it’s easy to try to squeeze too much into one Utah trip.
A Broader Perspective
Travel often brings up a different kind of planning mindset. It’s one of the areas where people naturally think about how they want to spend their time and resources.
Questions that sometimes come up include:
- What experiences matter most to us right now?
- Are we setting aside time for the things we say we value?
- How do we balance saving for the future with enjoying the present?
These same questions can come up in financial planning, too. The answers look different for everyone, but the underlying themes tend to be consistent: how do you use your time and resources in a way that reflects what matters to you?
In some cases, trips like these become a reminder to revisit broader planning decisions and priorities.
Final Thoughts
Utah and Southern Idaho offer a wide range of experiences, from national parks and scenic drives to lakes, mountain towns, and quieter places that are easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. Whether you’re hoping for an active trip or something more relaxed, there’s plenty to explore.
If you ever find yourself planning a visit, I’m always happy to share additional ideas based on what you’re hoping to see. And if you do make it out here, please let me know. I’d enjoy the opportunity to connect in person. While I often say I live in Salt Lake City, I’m actually about an hour south in Spanish Fork.
Travel has a way of reminding us what matters most. If you’d like to explore how your financial plan can support the life you want to live, we’d love to talk. Reach out to our team at Searcy Financial.