Desert Detour: A Utah Road Trip for Wellness in the Wild

• Salt Lake City
• Red Butte Garden
• Synchronicities Wellness

Kick off your Utah road trip in Salt Lake City, a hub for recreation, dining and wellness. Your first stop will be the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum. Set against the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, Red Butte offers yoga, sound baths and forest-bathing classes with certified instructor Chris Newton, who helps participants reconnect with nature.

For another unforgettable experience, head 20 minutes south to Synchronicities Wellness in Sandy for a halo therapy session. Halo therapy (aka salt therapy) involves inhaling dry, salt-infused air, and it is believed to reduce inflammation, ease stress and improve respiratory health. From blocks in the walls to fine grains on the floor, the cave contains 10,000 pounds of ionized salt that instantly warms the space. The wellness center also offers yoga, meditation, sound therapy and chromatherapy in a selenite crystal chamber that promotes calm and better sleep.

Grab lunch from a standout local food truck like Yalla Kosher in Salt Lake, and make a dinner reservation at Table X, where a seasonal tasting menu features ingredients from local farms and the restaurant’s garden. Another local gem is Kin Sen Thai, and those craving Italian will enjoy Caffe Molise. For lodging, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco offers boutique style rooms at an affordable rate, while The Grand America Hotel provides a more luxurious option near the city center. Inn on the Hill Bed and Breakfast has just 13 rooms, offering a more intimate stay in a historic Capitol Hill home.

• Nebo Loop Scenic Byway
• Mystic Hot Springs

Before you head out of the city, enjoy brunch at The Rose Establishment, which serves organic, locally sourced fare like tartines, frittatas and scones in a historic brick building. If you’re hitting the road between July and late October, take the Nebo Loop Scenic Byway (aka the Mount Nebo Scenic Loop) instead of zipping south down Interstate 15. The 38-mile route adds only one extra hour of driving time and rewards visitors with summer wildflowers, fall foliage and sweeping views of 11,929-foot Mt. Nebo.

You’ve probably seen dreamy photos of Mystic Hot Springs’ travertine-enveloped soaking tubs on social media, and this place lives up to the hype. Reservations help keep the privately owned natural hot springs uncrowded, allowing for peaceful soaks in private tubs and the communal pool. Passes give guests up to two hours of access, and restrooms with showers and flush toilets are located next to the campground. In addition to tent and RV sites, Mystic Hot Springs has a fleet of “schoolies,” or converted school buses, available for overnight stays. The retro-themed rigs have bedding, lighting and indoor seating, plus picnic tables and fire pits.

For casual yet high-quality dining in Monroe, Ace’s Place serves burgers, sandwiches and salads, and Bullies Drive-In has similar American fare. Ten miles up the road in Richfield, Borens Smokehouse will appeal to BBQ enthusiasts, and Severo Restaurant has dishes like pork sirloin and seared salmon.

• Fishlake National Forest
• Torrey
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Cathedral Valley Scenic Backway

Before hopping on State Route 24, grab a bite at Leona’s Bistro in Richfield. The French-inspired cafe makes everything from scratch, including savory crepes, fresh salads and sandwiches that are perfect for the road. As you head southeast to Torrey, the highway skirts the Fishlake National Forest, dropping from upland plateaus to the red rock cliffs of the Fremont River Valley.

A scenic drive through Capitol Reef National Park is a must, whether you have an hour or an entire afternoon. From Torrey, follow State Route 24 on a 40-mile out-and-back route with numerous vistas and historic sites. For an off-grid adventure, continue ten miles past the park’s east boundary to Caineville and take Cathedral Road to Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon, a pair of dramatic sandstone monoliths. Cathedral Road is a mix of dirt and gravel, and a 4x4 vehicle is not necessary, but rain can make it impassable. The trip to Cathedral Valley is 34 miles round-trip and takes around 2.5 hours.

The Casitas at Capitol Reef offers a modern yet minimalist base camp, with motor lodge-style rooms and tiny homes featuring kitchenettes, fridges and outdoor seating. For a stay with a few more luxuries, Skyview Hotel has private hot tubs and patios, plus a rooftop terrace and glamping domes. Both are close to Main Street restaurants, including Hunt & Gather, known for seasonal, locally sourced fare like elk chimichurri and a squash vegetable bake. For something more casual (or if you’re visiting in winter, when Hunt & Gather is closed) Rim Rock Patio serves tasty BBQ, pasta, pizza and tamales.

• Capitol Reef Petroglyph Panel
• Scenic Byway 12
• Boulder
• Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm

Start the day at Wild Rabbit Cafe, the go-to spot in Torrey for baked goods and breakfast sandwiches. Whether you’re seeking a serious workout or a short stroll, you’ll have time for a hike in Capitol Reef National Park before departing. The 4.3-mile Rim Overlook and 1.7-mile Hickman Bridge trails have incredible views of arches, while the 0.3-mile boardwalk of the Capitol Reef Petroglyph Trail wanders alongside a Fremont Culture petroglyph panel.

Heading south from Torrey, Scenic Byway 12 winds through aspen groves, pines and meadows at over 9,600 feet before descending into the high-desert town of Boulder. Boulder Mountain Lodge spans 16 acres with fruit trees, gardens and 10 acres of protected wetland habitat for birds, inviting you to pause and soak in the tranquility. The rustic lodge has 22 units in four buildings, with common areas including an outdoor hot tub and a cozy living room with a fireplace.

Located at the lodge is the celebrated farm-to-table restaurant, Hell’s Backbone Grill & Farm. Co-owners and chefs Jen Castle and Blake Spalding have been nominated by the James Beard Foundation six times, most recently in 2022 and 2023 for Outstanding Restaurant — the only Utah establishment to earn this prestigious nod. Their seasonal menu blends southwest flavors, comfort food and fancier fare — from enchiladas with habanero corn cream sauce to decadent desserts, everything is phenomenal.

While the award-winning cuisine may draw you in, it’s the people and the purpose behind the restaurant that will bring you back. The majority of the produce is sourced from their 6.5-acre organic farm, and Hell’s Backbone also tends to several orchards in Boulder. From the food to the warm ambiance, dinner here is an experience that nourishes both body and soul. Hell’s Backbone Grill is open for dinner Thursday through Monday (March-November), and reservations can be made online.

• Kodachrome Basin State Park
• Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
• The Panorama Trail

Start your morning with a walk around the wetlands, where you might spot bluebirds, coots, ibis and more. Or you can admire the sunrise from the main deck at Boulder Mountain Lodge. For breakfast, the onsite Little Bone food truck has baked goods and lattes, plus indulgent dishes like cardamom waffles with whipped cinnamon butter and maple syrup.

The drive from Boulder to Kodachrome Basin State Park on Scenic Byway 12 is about an hour and a half, with plenty of scenic stops along the way. Take in jaw-dropping views of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument at Head of the Rocks Overlook. And enjoy historical sites like the Upper Valley Granaries, built by Ancient Puebloans. In Escalante, pop into Escalante Outfitters for gear and gifts, and take note: their made-to-order pizzas are an excellent leftover meal at camp.

Kodachrome Basin ranks among Utah’s most underrated state parks, with striking scenery, light crowds and plenty of amenities. The park’s six trails are all easy or moderate, and two are open to bikers and equestrians. The Panorama Trail can be done as a three- or six-mile loop, but it’s the 1.5-mile Angel’s Palace Trail that delivers the best views of the spires and badlands. The park has three campgrounds, though the Basin Campground is the only one with flush toilets and hot showers. A laundromat, 18-hole disc golf course and 3D archery range are located next to the Visitor Center, which rents discs and bows.

• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Navajo Loop Trail
• Orderville
• Springdale
• Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway
• Zion National Park
• Five Petals Spa

After packing up camp, grab a pastry at Bryce Canyon Coffee Co. in Tropic, and take a side trip from Scenic Byway 12 into Bryce Canyon National Park. Several overlooks and trails are just five miles from the byway, including Sunset Point, which connects to the iconic Navajo Loop Trail. From the park, Orderville is a one-hour drive — and the launch point for canyon tours with East Zion Adventures. After cruising through washes and crawling up rocky trails in a UTV, you’ll take a quick hike to explore two slot canyons. Hungry? Stop by Archie's Food to Die For in Orderville for their signature 89 Built panini, which will tantalize your taste buds with chicken, avocado, provolone and pepper jelly.

Orderville to Springdale via Highway 9 (the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway) is just 30 miles, but with switchbacks and stops to admire the scenery in Zion National Park, it can take over an hour. Once you arrive, unwind with a custom massage at the Five Petals Spa, located at the Cliffrose Curio in Springdale. Travelers seeking resort-style comforts will appreciate Cliffrose, or for a more intimate option, the Canyon Vista Lodge has just four guest rooms.

Grab dinner at Cliffrose’s onsite restaurant, Anthera, or for a more elevated dining experience, reserve a table at Anu, just down the road at Hotel de Novo. Utah chef Shon Foster launched both restaurants in 2024, featuring shareable plates that balance flavor and fusion. Influenced by American Southwest, Asian and South American cuisines, their menus invite you to sample a bit of everything.

• Angel's Landing
• Watchman Trail
• Open Sky Zion
• Cosmic Flow
• Stargazing Zion

Beat the crowds in Zion National Park by arriving early, and an overnight in Springdale sets you up for success. While trails like Angels Landing get the most attention, routes like the 3.2-mile Watchman Trail are just as scenic, and permits are not required. After your morning hike, grab brunch at Anthera in Springdale, which has everything from fruit-filled crepes to a delectable croque madame. The Park House is another top-rated eatery, and if you order their Eggs Benedict, you’ll see why.

Virgin is just 20 minutes from Springdale, so you can move at a relaxed pace on your final day. Situated on a gravel road 3.5 miles off Highway 9 near Virgin, Open Sky Zion has 13 safari-style glamping tents that balance luxury and desert immersion. All units have king beds, fireplaces, heated bathroom floors and decks with views of the surrounding canyon. Premium units have extras like bathtubs, cedar hot tubs and glass ceilings for stargazing, but no matter what camp you choose, you’ll have plenty of privacy.

The onsite restaurant, Black Sage, has tasty locally-sourced fare, and the property partners with local guides for a range of experiences. Cosmic Flow offers meditation, breath work and sound baths, either at the resort or off-site. Stargazing Zion operates in a similar manner, offering private stargazing tours at the resort, or group tours at their observation point, just 30 minutes away. From the serenity to the scenery, Open Sky Zion is a dream location — and the perfect way to end your road trip through Utah’s stunning desert regions.