By Melissa Voelker
Utah is a state with many natural wonders to see and explore. From the famous sandstone arches found in Arches National Park, to the large quarry of dinosaur fossils at Dinosaur National Monument, there are plenty of interesting natural sights to see in Utah. And when you are done hiking or riding through the parks, you can soak yourself in the hot springs of Mystical Hot Springs.
Mystical Hot Springs
Soak yourself in a natural and beautiful hot spring. (utahoutdoor activities.com)
The Mystical Hot Springs are located near Richfield, Utah, overlooking the Sevier Valley. They are open all day, every day, so you can soak your body in 168-degree F. water whenever you want. Before or after your soak, you can see live entertainment such as musical groups, or hike or bike along the many paths in the area. You even watch tropical fish swim about in temperature-regulated ponds. There are lawns available for tent camping, as well as RV hookups, cabins and teepees to stay in. Bathrooms with showers are provided for use by everyone. The cost is $5 per person to soak in the springs, while camping rates are dependent on type, time of year and length of stay (as of 2009).
Mystical Hot Springs
475 E. 100th North
Monroe, Utah 84754
(435) 527-3286
Arches National Park
See amazing natural structures. (nationaloutdoors.net)
Home to over 2,000 arches as well as other rock formations, Arches National Park is frequently pictured in film, television and magazines. It is 234 miles from Salt Lake City and includes dirt roads for hiking, biking or touring via automobile.
The park is made up of four "districts" with their own unique set of natural wonders to see, including Island in the Sky with a large plateau area, Needles that includes a group of tower spires, the Maze, which is actually a maze made up of stone corridors, and the Colorado and Green River area. Cost is $10 per vehicle to enter the park, which is open all day every day (as of 2009). The visitor center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from April to October and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from November to March.
Arches National Park
977 Rowena Court
Moab, Utah 84532
(435) 719-2299
Dinosaur National Monument
Watch fossils being unearthed. (britannica.com)
At 200,000 acres, Dinosaur National Monument is one of the largest quarries of Jurassic Period dinosaur bones ever discovered. There are over 350 tons of fossils, including full skeletons located throughout the area, which is 20 miles from Vernal, Utah. Visitors can go to the year-round visitor center and watch paleontologists at work exposing dinosaur bones.
There are also hiking trails and campsites near the visitor's center. Exhibits at the visitor's center discuss dinosaurs and their life, environment and extinction. Guided tours are given or maps are available for self-guided tours. It costs $10 per vehicle to enter the monument area and $5 per pedestrian, which includes those on bikes (as of 2009). The Visitor Center near Jensen is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except for some holidays.
Dinosaur National Monument
(435) 781-7700
About the Author:
Melissa Voelker has been a professional writer since 2002. She works full time at a TV station in the commercial traffic department and also writes for Paperbackreader.com and Pinkraygun.com. Her articles have appeared in "Listen," "The Spokesman Review" and "Freepress Houston."
