DESTINATIONS — THE US Zion National Park
Temple Square, Salt Lake City
herds start strolling past, with the shimmering water as a backdrop. Park City, to the east of Salt
Lake City, boasts High West, the world’s only ski-in whiskey distillery. There’s also the chance to take on the Olympic bobsleigh track, with prices from $75. The national parks in the south
Antelope Island State Park
all throw up something different – and Highways 9 and 12, which link them, are extraordinary drives. Zion is the most visited and accessible. Challenging hikes go to the top of the intimidating canyon walls, but the shorter ones and the shuttle buses head to the canyon floor. Bryce Canyon is at a higher
elevation, offering astonishing views from the rim. But the stars are the weird rock formations known as hoodoos, which have been weathered away to look like thousands of alien fingers. Arches National Park is all about the big, crowd-pleasing rock formations – think dwarfing rock arches and outcrops that look like animals.
On the other side of Moab is Dead Horse Point State Park, which is home to some of the most sensational views on Earth. It looks down into the Canyonlands, which is proper wilderness expedition country. Tag-A-Long runs trips that range from half-day boat and 4WD tours to multi-day canoeing and rafting expeditions along the Colorado River.
Desert Pearl Inn
l STAY For most, self-driving will be the best way to see Utah – the canyon-climbing roads are part of the fun. North America Travel Service offers an 11-day fly-drive
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travelweekly.co.uk — 30 April 2015
Grand Circle loop from Las Vegas, visiting the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell as well as southern Utah, from £1,385 including flights and car hire. For adventurers who’d rather not drive, Intrepid sells a nine-day Utah Parks Circuit tour taking in Vegas and southern Utah’s five national parks, plus Monument Valley. Accommodation is mostly camping, and plenty of time is set aside for hiking. Prices start at £680, excluding flights. If tailor-making an itinerary,
the gorgeously cute village of Springdale is the best place to stay near Zion. The Desert Pearl Inn has a beautiful riverside location, and the pool is much appreciated after a sweaty day’s exploration. Rooms cost from £174. At Bryce Canyon, accommodation options tend to be functional as they are chain owned, but 1st Class Holidays sells the perfectly decent Best Western Ruby’s Inn from £45 a night. Moab is the most appealing base in the south, though. The pine-clad, motel-style Big Horn Lodge is good value, at about £87 a night, and handily central. In Park City, the Park City Peaks
Hotel is strong for a mid-range option, with a pool and hot tubs. The free shuttle buses to the ski slopes are a selling point. Prices for a three-night stay start at £358 with Virgin Holidays. Hotel Monaco is Salt Lake City’s most fun option. It’s close to Temple Square, gives out free wine for an hour every evening and has one of the city’s buzziest restaurants on-site. Rooms cost from £120. TW
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