Utah Bound, Best Time Of Year?

I'm heading to Utah from NJ next year (In my new 560) Best time of year to go? Favorite places to camp? Favorite places to see? I'm new to this, and would appreciate any advice.

 

Antelope Canyon is on my to do list! Utah has a ton of places to see, any of which won't disappoint.

 

Thanks. I'm looking to leave NJ middle of March. Very excited!

 

Thanks for the great info. I'm looking to leave NJ mid March. Very excited!

 

Any trout in the Virgin River?

 

Lived in Utah for 9 years. Been back MANY times since. If you are going in March, you may still experience snow in the northern third of the state. But it doesn't stay long. Often gone by the end of the day. Unless you are in the mountains and then it can stay right through June. Southern half of the state is best for temps prior to mid June. After that, it can get unbearably hot. Being from NJ, you have experienced heat with humidity. Utah is very dry, so 90° and up is more tolerable, but still hot. Don't be surprised if you should get nose bleeds. Moving there from NH, where I was at sea level, I got them fairly regularly until I got acclimated to the altitude. If you should get them, an over the counter saline nose spray will help. And you may well notice a difference in how easily you may tire (or have labored breathing) when hiking, due to the increase in altitude. If you are there long enough, you will acclimate to these changes. I have asthma, so it was more noticeable to me at first. Also, make sure to wear sun screen, as you will burn more easily/quickly at higher altitudes, especially if there is snow where you are.

Utah has so many wonderful places to explore and the National Parks are amazing. Ken gave you a pretty good run down of them. In addition to those, if you are in the far north, Bear Lake in Logan is beautiful. Great Salt lake and the Salt Flats are interesting. Dinosaur National Monument, located just east of Vernal, in the eastern part of the state, is amazing with so many fossils. It is the largest quarry of prehistoric Jurassic dinosaur bones and the displays are incredible. In the exhibit hall, you can see a quarry wall of 1,500 bones from of all types of dinosaurs. In the south, Bryce Canyon and Kodachrome basin have some amazing colors and geologic features. Kodachrome Basin also has the best restrooms/showers I have ever seen! Monument Valley and Hovenweep are also worth the trip. In the southern part of the state, you will also have some gorgeous night skies for viewing the constellations, watch for the Space Station to pass over and look for satellites.

Lots of fantastic things to see! Have a great time!

Betsey

 

Thank you for the great info. This really helps me to plan. Looks like I'll be out for 100 days, or so, and even that is probably not enough time. Peace. Craig