Coyote Gulch   |  Aleksandr Mironyuk

Responsible Travel in Utah

Small but mighty actions make all the difference as we work together to protect our natural wonders and vibrant cultures for generations to come. Each person who visits Utah leaves an impact, review these resources to ensure you're helping to keep Utah Forever Mighty. 

Are you prepared?

Traveling responsibly means planning ahead. Reading ahead. Slowing down when possible and stopping to fully appreciate all that is around you. 

Before traveling, we ask you to consider:
  • Am I familiar with Leave No Trace principles?
  • Does this activity put me at risk for potential rescue, straining local resources?
  • Am I doing what I can to avoid crowded locations?
  • Have I prepared for limited services in remote areas, and taken into account the abilities of others in my group?
  • Are there ways I can make a positive impact on the communities I plan to visit?

 

Chimney Rock at Capitol Reef National Park

Photo: Andrew Burr

Remember to Leave No Trace

Remember to Leave No Trace

When you visit Utah, expect your time spent outdoors to result in soul-awakening experiences. To help you maximize your experience, we've partnered with Leave No Trace to create Utah-specific seven principles for responsible recreation. By following these principles, you can help keep Utah Forever Mighty.
1. Know Before You Go

1. Know Before You Go

A little extra planning can expand your knowledge, reduce your impact and improve your adventure. Prepare to travel in Utah by researching your destinations, packing for a range of conditions and making backup plans just in case.
2. Stick to Trails and “Overnight Right”

2. Stick to Trails and “Overnight Right”

From solitary hikes to group rides, there are trails for every traveler. Following signage, sticking to the path and using a little know-how will keep Utah’s trails and campsites safe and open.
3. Trash Your Trash

3. Trash Your Trash

One person's trash can greatly impact a natural treasure. No matter where you go, have a garbage and bathroom plan ready (for you and your group) and know how to correctly dispose of all waste, which may mean packing everything out.
4. Protect Indigenous Cultural Heritage

4. Protect Indigenous Cultural Heritage

Indigenous and other historical and cultural sites are everywhere in Utah and they are important to modern descendant communities and researchers. Protect these sites by observing and admiring structures, objects, rock imagery and historical inscriptions at a respectful distance.
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

There’s nothing quite like cozying up to a campfire, but not all places and conditions are safe to have one. In areas where fires can be built, keep them small and in existing fire rings and be prepared to extinguish them completely.
6. Keep Wildlife Wild

6. Keep Wildlife Wild

Being in Utah’s outdoors means sharing them with wildlife, which may include bears. Respect their home by only observing from a distance. Save human food for humans, ensure pets are within your control and know local fishing, hunting and boating guidelines.
7. Share Our Parks, Trails and Roads

7. Share Our Parks, Trails and Roads

When traveling in Utah, you may find yourself part of a crowd. While there are many ways to enjoy the outdoors, we can help each other out by being patient, minimizing noise and reducing speed, whether in town or on the trail.

We're Here to Help

Bighorn sheep traverse the bank of the Green River in Lodore Canyon.

Photo: Jeremiah Watt

Know the Basics

New to nature? Welcome! Here are some basics you need to know.

  • Plan to pack out your own trash. 

  • Come prepared with a disposable toilet system in the event restrooms are unavailable. Review the tips or watch the video.

  • Extinguish campfires completely, and practice fire safety. 

  • The weather can change quickly on public lands. If rain is in the forecast do not enter any slot canyons.

  • Bring more water than you think you'll need.

  • Travel on designated motorized routes and trails. Do not create new trails with your car or your feet. 

  • Ensure you have a back-up campground during busy season. If you have to disperse camp, always choose existing sites. 

  • Let someone know your itinerary and the time you expect to return. Know the information for search and rescue, and bring a spot device. Look for others you can help. Learn more about how you can support Utah’s local search and rescue teams with a Utah Search and Rescue Assistance card.

Forever Mighty: An Excursion Through Escalante

For Road-Trippers

If you’re on a road trip to Utah, your journey will likely start on one of four major interstates. Those interstates lead to dozens of scenic byways, hundreds of unique main streets, thousands of dirt roads and access to 22.9 million acres of public lands. Driving through Utah is the perfect opportunity to get a sense of the community you're visiting at a family diner and book a guide experience, so a local can show you the region’s best kept secrets. 

As you plan your next road trip through Utah, look for opportunities to visit less-crowded destinations. While the national parks are open, so are many less crowded and equally brilliant nearby destinations. 

See a new side of Utah.

Eagle Point Resort

Photo: Jay Dash

For Adventure-Seekers 

Last year many of us missed out on the adrenaline-pumping experiences that we seek to shake off a sense of cabin fever. Now, as Utah’s parks and natural destinations welcome back riders, climbers, rafters and hikers it’s more important than ever to recreate responsibly. With more and more travelers visiting Utah each year, our natural resources are under immense pressure. So take a beat and double check your gear list before heading out, avoid high-traffic destinations when possible, and seek out guidance to help you preserve the places we play. 

Find a guided experience.

Two riders perched on the edge of the Gooseberry Mesa trail.

Photo: Ted Hesser

For Solace-Seekers

The peoples that inhabited this land long before America was colonized recognized the power in Utah’s lands, as the Native Nations in Utah do today. Southern Utah has long offered so much solace, but it’s up to you to find it. Hike a trail that’s not on a top-ten list or rest atop a red rock perch that overlooks a network of canyons so large and deep they’re nearly impossible to comprehend. 

As you seek solitude, ensure you're prepared to do so, and look to give back to the communities you're passing through. 

Explore our quietest itineraries.

House on Fire in Mule Canyon

Photo: Rosie Serago

For Business Travelers

As we adjust to post-pandemic travel and business travel gains momentum once again, there may be a few more details to consider while planning your trip. However, the Wasatch Front and the rest of Utah have worked diligently to welcome you safely and comfortably. Hotels are open, events are underway and conference centers are once again providing a safe venue for in-person networking. 

See urban experiences.

For Skiers and Riders

As you pick up your gear from the skier-friendly baggage claim at the all new Salt Lake City International Airport, the slopes may be the only thing on your mind. And why wouldn’t they be? You’ve got 15 resorts to consider, many of which are less than an hour away. But dig a little deeper and you’ll see there are new destinations to find, rich cultures to witness and more memorable roads to take you there.

All Utah ski resorts are scheduled to open. Mountain capacity, lodging, dining and transportation will be different this year, but by following new guidelines and adjusting with new operations we can all do our part to have a full, safe ski season.

Plan a more memorable ski trip.

Snowbird Ski Resort

Photo: Scott Markewitz

Well-prepared travel is responsible travel.

Do your part by planning ahead
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