Known officially as the “Beehive State” and the “Mormon State”, Utah was the 45th state to join the union. Utah’s fame comes from its Mormon population, which comprises over half of the population. This is one of the few states where the majority of the population is Mormon. Mormons are a central part of Utahn culture and society. In this article, we will cover three popular Mormon destinations in Utah.
Salt Lake City
The downtown area of Salt Lake City, Utah, has undergone a renaissance in the last decade, as a result of several new developments and changes. The GREENbike bike share program, launched in April 2013, allows participants to rent bicycles for $5 a day, and is also available in an annual or weekly pass. Currently, the city has over ten stations, with more planned to open by October 2014. Bicycles are also encouraged, as more than 80 businesses in downtown Salt Lake City participate in the Bicycle Benefits program, offering customers discounts for arriving by bicycle. Salt Lake City is also home to the Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective, which promotes the use of bicycles for transportation and promotes the healthy lifestyle of its residents.
The city’s population is estimated by the United States Census Bureau at 200,567 as of 2019. In terms of racial diversity, the city’s population is primarily non-Hispanic White, with 2.6% of the population identifying as Black or Native American. In terms of race, the city’s population is also comprised of diverse ethnic groups, including 6.4% Asian and 1.5% Pacific Islander residents. It is also home to numerous foreign dignitaries, including the President of Mexico, who began his U.S. tour in 2006, and Israel’s ambassador opened a cultural center. In 2006, President George W. Bush also visited the city twice and is expected to visit again in 2011.
Kanab
If you like the classic American West, then Kanab, Utah, might be for you. Surrounded by towering Navajo sandstone cliffs and sagebrush vistas, this town has attracted filmmakers for over 80 years. The town has become famous for being a filming location, and there are even movie posters and autographed photos adorning its buildings. The city also offers an excellent basecamp for road cycling adventures.
While visiting Kanab, you’ll want to take the time to visit Zion National Park, a beautiful park just an hour away. Here you can see breathtaking sandstone cliffs, a variety of animals, and experience an ancient culture that blends the past with the present. The town of Kanab is a great place to spend a weekend. You’ll have plenty of time to explore the town on your own, or visit nearby attractions.
If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, try hiking the Kanab Tunnel. This trail is only 0.75 miles long and is ideal for beginners. You’ll get a rush from the adrenaline of a long hike, and you’ll never forget your trip to this Utah town. There are plenty of hiking trails to explore and several national parks nearby. A trip to these parks is sure to be one of the highlights of your visit to Kanab.
St. George
A city in the state of Utah, St. George, has a rich history. Its first permanent settlement was a cotton mission, but cotton never became a profitable crop, and the town grew steadily in population and eventually emerged as the country’s fastest-growing metropolitan area. Visitors to the region can enjoy year-round outdoor recreation, with the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park just a short drive away. It is also home to the Utah Tech University.
The economy of St. George is supported by several industries, including tourism. The area’s economy is based on manufacturing, tourism, and new home construction. In addition to the numerous businesses and organizations that operate in the area, St. George has over a dozen golf courses. The city also hosts various world-renowned events. It is the only major city in the state to host a professional basketball league, the Utah Lakers.
Kanab Canyon
A popular sandboarding destination, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is located near Kanab Canyon, Utah. The sand dunes are a popular destination for hikers, sandboarders, and ATV riders. The hoodoos, or mushroom-like hoodoos, are a popular photography spot and a great way to see the area’s unique geology. You can hike or ride your ATV through the area to view the hoodoos, or just relax and enjoy the scenery.
Another highlight is the Cave Museum, located in a redrock cave. Dinosaur tracks and artifacts are on display in this museum, which is located just outside of town. A tour guide will share historical lore as you explore the exhibits, and you can purchase souvenirs and gifts in the museum’s gift shop. While you’re at it, check out the Kodachrome Basin, which has 67 monolithic spires and sedimentary pipes.
For a more scenic adventure, head to Lake Powell, a short drive from Kanab. If you’d prefer to spend more time on the water, you can rent watercraft and paddle the lake. A day of paddling the lake would reveal just a fraction of the lake’s rim, but you would surely enjoy the scenery as you paddle around the side canyons. However, if you’re in a hurry, you can hire a 4WD and drive out to Lake Powell.
Sevier Lake
Sevier Lake is a body of water located in western Utah. It is about 25 miles long, 40 kilometers long, and seven to eleven miles wide. The lake is situated in the Pahvant Valley at an elevation of 4,500 feet. The lake is part of the Pleistocene Lake Bonneville drainage system. Sevier Lake’s strong saline water makes it a great location for salt manufacturing and has a rich history.
The Canadian company Crystal Peak Minerals is developing a potash mine on the Sevier Lake playa, and has completed extensive exploration drilling on the entire playa. Crystal Peak recently completed a NI 43-101 feasibility study, which forecasts an average annual SOP production of 298,000 metric tons over the 30-year lifespan of the Project. Potash production could increase to 372,000 tons per year, according to the study.
Saltwater from the lake is primarily composed of sodium, sulfate, and chloride. The concentrations of dissolved solids range from 480 to 120,000 milligrams per liter. Throughout the lake, sedimentary rocks are deposited at the bottom of the basin. The sediments are a result of glacial action on the lake’s underlying rock. Despite the salt deposits, the water level of the lake remained relatively constant.
Great Salt Lake Desert
The Great Salt Lake Desert in Utah consists of alkaline flats, and contains several endemic plants. Most notable is the sagebrush, but you will also find saltbushes growing on the floor of the arid basin. Even the animals are shaped by the climate, with rattlesnakes and kangaroo rats circling the flats at night. Other notable creatures include the black-tailed jackrabbit, a tiny creature with huge ears.
The Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River. It is approximately 75 miles long and 35 miles wide, and is located in wide flat basins. The water level is constantly fluctuating, but a slight rise or fall in water level expands the lake’s surface area. Since the first measurements in 1849, the Great Salt Lake has changed by about twenty feet and shifted fifteen miles. The lake also evaporates, leaving behind salt, which is what attracts many tourists and wildlife to the area.
Another interesting part of the Great Salt Lake Desert is the Bonneville Salt Flats. They are remnants of a Pleistocene-era lake that surpassed the current Lake Michigan in size. Potash salts are present in the Bonneville Salt Flats, and they range in thickness from less than an inch to several feet. The salt flats are a popular location for speed-racing competitions, and have been the site of several world records.
Arches National Park
Visitors to Utah’s Arches National Park will see the highest concentration of natural arches in the world. The diverse habitats of Arches National Park include lush riparian areas, ephemeral pools, mixed grasslands, and huge expanses of bare rock. The park’s low elevation and relatively dry climate preserve the park’s pristine night sky and allow for a wide variety of outdoor activities.
One of the most beautiful national parks in the U.S. is Arches, located north of Moab. The park is a vast 76-square-mile area with sandstone sediment deposits. It was established in 1929 and has since become a popular tourist destination. The scenery of the park is reminiscent of ancient city ruins. Many travelers flock to Arches National Park during the summer, so expect traffic congestion. However, traffic was very light in early December.
Visitors arriving from the west should plan on driving four hours to reach Arches. Most people fly into the Salt Lake City International Airport and drive four hours to the park. Alternatively, visitors can fly to the Grand Junction Regional Airport in Colorado. While flights to Grand Junction are limited, Moab’s own airport is also a convenient option, but travel time from either destination is more than sufficient. Visiting the park should be done in the late morning or early afternoon, avoiding crowded tourist areas.
Gila monster
The state reptile of Utah will soon be a venomous lizard – the Gila monster. Gov. Gary Herbert signed a bill on Wednesday that would add the monster to the state’s symbolism. The reptile is native to the southwestern United States and northwest Mexico. The beast is notoriously reclusive, making sightings of it extremely rare. However, a group of students from Lava Ridge Intermediate School lobbied to make it a state symbol.
The activity of the Gila monster in Utah peaked from late April to mid June. The creature’s sprinting ability is quite limited, but its endurance and aerobic capacity are very high. It is only when handled that it is likely to attack humans. In addition, kingsnakes prey on the monster’s hatchlings. However, the creatures themselves are not aggressive. If you do encounter a Gila monster, make sure to leave it alone.
Unlike the
of northern and central America, the Gila monster lives almost entirely underground. Its diet consists of lizard eggs and baby mammals. The Gila monster is incredibly hard to spot because it spends 95% of its time under rocks or burrows. Watch the video below to see one in action. It tops out at about 22 inches and weighs about five pounds. Compare this to the Komodo Dragon, which can grow up to 10 feet long and 350 pounds.
