USA
What’s New in Utah
First dark sky-certified resort in the world
Not only is Utah home to more internationally accredited dark sky parks and places than anywhere else on the planet, its Under Canvas® Lake Powell-Grand Staircase property has become the first DarkSky-certified resort in the world. DarkSky International, formerly the International Dark Sky Association, is the recognized global authority on light pollution and dark sky preservation. In partnership with DarkSky, Under Canvas® has developed the DarkSky Resort certification program to set the standard in the travel industry and encourage hospitality companies to join in its commitment to protecting the nighttime environment through conscientious design, operations and guest education.
New Indigenous national monument another reason to base camp in Utah
Located in Arizona, but stretching to the Utah border, Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni/Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument has recently been designated as the newest national monument in the U.S. Proposed by the Grand Canyon Tribes, it protects approximately one million acres of their ancestral homelands. Kanab, Utah, already serves as an ideal base camp to Southern Utah with Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon National Parks only a short drive away – along with The Wave and Buckskin Gulch, considered the longest and deepest slot canyon in the world – and now outdoor enthusiasts can add this new national monument to their must-visit list when staying in Kanab.
Get your spook on at Great Salt Lake
Visitors looking to go ghost hunting this October (or year-round!) can experience potential paranormal activity in Northern Utah. In particular, the area around the Great Salt Lake is home to a number of hot spots, ranging from Ophir (one of Utah’s best preserved ghost towns) to Saltair (a resort area on the south shore of the lake). The Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures have filmed episodes and “confirmed” activity at both Saltair and Benson Grist Mill. Local news outlet KSL documented activity alongside a team from the Western Association for the Science of the Paranormal at Fielding Garr Ranch, now part of Antelope Island State Park, and Fremont Island and the waters of the Great Salt Lake are said to be haunted by a grave digger named Jean Baptiste.
Warm up this winter in Utah’s hot springs
Utah has 106 known hot springs with temperatures above 77F. Crystal Hot Springs, located one hour north of Salt Lake City, is known for having the highest mineral content found in the U.S. and for the closest natural occurrence of hot and cold springs at one location. Homestead Crater in the Heber Valley near Park City, is located inside a beehive-shaped, limestone dome where visitors soak, practice stand-up paddleboard yoga, snorkel and scuba dive – this is the only warm water scuba-diving destination in the U.S. so an ideal location to complete certification. Meadow Hot Springs, near Bryce Canyon National Park, offers three pools located in a farmer’s field where divers can explore an underwater cave, and Mystic Hot Springs, near Capitol Reef National Park, offers two swimming pools, vintage bathtubs surrounded by mineral-formed rocks, and a music festival.
