Northern Utah is made for family adventures in every season. From scenic gondola rides and gentle waterfall hikes to hands-on museums, lakeside beaches, and snowy winter fun, this region blends outdoor exploration with easy, family-friendly comfort.
Our family guide to northern Utah is designed to help you plan stress-free trips that work for every age, interest, and energy level.
What to do in Northern Utah
Bonneville Salt Flats, Wendover
Standing on the Bonneville Salt Flats is like landing on another planet – a vast, gleaming white expanse stretching to the horizon.
Formed from the remnants of ancient Lake Bonneville, this 30,000-acre area is famous for land-speed records and surreal beauty. I crunched across the salt under the blinding sun and snapped more photos than I’ll ever admit.
George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, Ogden
Walking among towering dinosaurs at this Ogden park was unexpectedly surreal – one second you’re strolling, the next you’re face-to-face with a T-Rex.
With over 100 life-sized models outside and fossil exhibits inside, it’s a fun, slightly terrifying reminder of Utah’s prehistoric past.
dinosaurpark.org
Hill Aerospace Museum, Roy
At Hill Aerospace Museum, we stood under bomber wings and fighter jet noses, utterly dwarfed by decades of aviation.
With more than 90 aircraft on display, it’s one of the top aerospace collections in the country.
And the best bit? It’s free. aerospaceutah.org
Logan Canyon, Cache County
Driving through Logan Canyon is one of those journeys where every turn tempts you to pull over.
The road follows the Logan River through limestone cliffs and thick forests, offering hikes, picnic spots and space to breathe. Spotting a bald eagle circling above makes it all the more memorable.
The Utah State Railroad Museum, Ogden
Wandering around vintage railcars at the Utah State Railroad Museum in Ogden, I realised just how much a few steel tracks reshaped the West.
Housed in historic Union Station, the museum dives into the impact of the transcontinental railroad, when Ogden went from sleepy frontier to full-throttle boomtown.
Dinosaur National Monument, Vernal
Dinosaur National Monument near Vernal is a spectacular mix of deep canyons, prehistoric fossil beds and ancient petroglyphs.
Hike remote trails, raft the Green River or visit the quarry where dinosaur bones are still embedded in stone. It’s a true journey through time and terrain. nps.gov/dino
Utah Crater, Midway
Floating inside the Utah Crater feels like drifting in the centre of the earth.
Hidden inside a 55ft limestone dome in Midway, this geothermal spring is warm, mineral-rich and open for swimming, paddleboard yoga or even scuba diving. It’s peaceful, slightly surreal and very, very cool.
Bear Lake Migratory Bird Refuge, Bear River (near Brigham City)
We spent a peaceful morning cruising the 12-mile auto-tour route, windows down, birdcalls drifting in. Pelicans skimmed the water, herons stalked the reeds and a few beavers made a splash.
This vast sanctuary is a vital pit stop for migrating birds, and the marshes and wetlands make it a serene way to explore Utah’s wild side.
This Is The Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City
Wandering through This Is The Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City feels like stepping into another century – minus the shootouts. Set against the Wasatch Mountains, it’s a living history museum packed with historic buildings, hands-on activities and costumed interpreters.
Try gold panning, watch candle-making and soak up stories of Utah’s early settlers. thisistheplace.org
Antelope Island State Park, Great Salt Lake
Driving onto Antelope Island feels like entering a wildlife utopia where bison roam free and pronghorns casually cross the road.
With big-sky views, open trails and encounters with mule deer, it’s rugged, raw and completely refreshing. The largest island in the Great Salt Lake is a wild one – in the best way.
Thanksgiving Point
Thanksgiving Point in Lehi is a nonprofit farm, garden and museum complex offering interactive experiences in science, nature and history. From dinosaur museums and botanical gardens to butterfly conservatories and working farms, there’s tons to explore, including:
Museum of Ancient Life
One of the world’s largest collections of mounted dinosaurs, with fossil digs and hands-on exhibits that bring the prehistoric world to life.
Museum of Natural Curiosity
An imaginative indoor playground where kids explore science, nature and creativity through climbing zones, water play and tons of interactive exhibits.
Ashton Gardens
A peaceful 50-acre garden featuring waterfalls, koi ponds and seasonal events like the immensely popular Tulip Festival and Luminaria.
Farm Country
A working farm where kids can pet animals, ride ponies and learn about agriculture through hands-on experiences.
Butterfly Biosphere
A conservatory that is home to hundreds of butterflies, insects and arachnids with talks showcasing the vital role of pollinators in ecosystems.
Jurassic Jungle
A dinosaur-themed indoor play zone designed for young adventurers to climb, slide and generally burn off all of that excess energy they have.
Mountain America Museum of Flight
An aviation museum offering interactive exhibits with historic aircraft displays and flight simulators that showcase the history of aviation.
Where to stay in Northern Utah
Sundance Mountain Resort, Provo Canyon: An artsy resort founded by Robert Redford, with log cabins, hidden trails and family-friendly adventures. sundanceresort.com
Compass Rose Lodge, Huntsville: A stylish lodge where you can stargaze around a fire or in their observatory, then crash in a cosy room straight out of a Wild West saloon. compassroselodge.com
The Anniversary Inn, Logan: Over-the-top themed rooms that are pure fun – where else can you fall asleep inside a pirate ship or a jungle hideout? anniversaryinn.com/logan
Conestoga Ranch, Bear Lake: Sleeping in a covered wagon at Bear Lake feels like stepping into a Wild West movie – but with comfy beds and hot showers. conestogaranch.com
Castle Creek Inn, Sandy: Sleep inside a turreted castle just outside Salt Lake City where every room has a fairy-tale theme and a little old-world magic. castlecreekbb.com
Bear Lake KOA Holiday, Garden City: A laid-back spot where you can wake up steps from Bear Lake, ride bikes all day and roast marshmallows at night. koa.com/campgrounds
Ogden’s Alaskan Inn, Ogden Canyon: Rustic riverside cabins that make you feel like you’ve run away to the mountains but with cosy beds and hot cocoa. alaskaninn.com
Homestead Resort, Midway: An old-school family resort with space to roam, pools to splash in and even a geothermal crater you can swim inside. homesteadresort.com
Quirky attractions in Northern Utah
American West Heritage Centre, Logan
This outdoor museum in Logan feels more like a working frontier village than a history exhibit.
We watched blacksmiths at work, tried candle-dipping and wandered historic buildings.
It’s hands-on, educational and a great reminder of just how tough early settler life really was.
awhc.org
Legends Motorcycle Museum, Springville
We didn’t expect to be drawn in by motorcycles, but Legends in Springville surprised us. Even if you can’t tell a spark plug from a gearshift, it’s hard not to be impressed by the rows of beautifully restored bikes and gritty memorabilia.
Seeing the oldest known Harley-Davidson up close was a standout – a reminder of the craftsmanship in early motorcycles. legendsmotorco.com
Heber Valley Railroad, Heber Valley
Rolling through the mountains on the Heber Valley Railroad feels like stepping back in time. This scenic route, operating since 1899, winds along Deer Creek Reservoir and into the foothills.
Riding in vintage coaches with the windows open to the breeze made it easy to imagine the romance of early rail travel – minus the coal dust. hebertrain.com
Dreamwalks Park, Provo
Dreamwalks Park in Provo is a colourful, imaginative indoor world that’s delightfully easy to get lost in. Glowing forests, galactic waterfalls and twisting pathways stretch through half a mile of immersive art.
Armed with a Dreamwalk Decoder Wand, we uncovered glowing secrets, created light-up art and forgot about the outside world for a bit. dreamwalk.com
Devil’s Slide, Morgan County
Catching sight of Devil’s Slide from the highway feels like stumbling on nature’s practical joke. Two jagged limestone slabs shoot down a mountainside like an ancient stone slide.
You can’t climb it, but you’ll definitely want to pull over for a quick look, a photo and a moment of “what on Earth is that?” curiosity.
Where to eat in Northern Utah
The Pizza Yard, Heber Valley: Watch the dough fly and pizzas cook fast. It’s casual and quick, and even the fussiest eaters will find a topping they’ll love – without sacrificing taste for adults. thepizzayard.net
Mumbai House, Salt Lake City: Bold flavours, warm staff and comforting classics like butter chicken and naan make this Indian spot a great choice for families wanting to try something new. mumbaihousecuisine.com
Angie’s Restaurant, Logan: Big portions, giant pancakes and even a sink full of ice cream. Angie’s is casual and welcoming, and the kind of place where kids are part of the fun. angiesrest.com
Strap Tank Brewery, Utah Valley: Busy, buzzy and built for families. Burgers, kid-friendly bites and motorcycle decor mean no one notices a tantrum while waiting for the food to land. straptankbrewery.com
Midway Mercantile, Midway: A cosy but classy spot with roomy tables, great service and a flexible kitchen that’s happy to adjust dishes for picky eaters. Grown-ups get a proper meal, too. midwaymercantile.com
Sonora Grill, Ogden: This relaxed Mexican restaurant serves fresh, flavourful dishes with a kids’ menu that goes beyond basics. Bonus: endless chips and salsa to keep little hands busy. thesonoragrill.com
Your ideal Northern Utah itinerary
Day 1: Salt Lake City welcome
Arrive, settle into a family-friendly hotel, and stretch your legs downtown. Check out Temple Square’s fountains and the creek at City Creek Centre. Grab a giant slice at The Pie Pizzeria and maybe hop on a TRAX train just for fun.
Day 2: Big city fun
Spend the morning at This Is The Place Heritage Park, where kids can ride trains, pan for gold and meet farm animals. After lunch, explore the Natural History Museum of Utah for dinosaurs and big mountain views.
Day 3: Wild day at Antelope Island
Take a day trip to Antelope Island to spot bison and hike short trails like Ladyfinger Point. Let the kids splash by the salty shore (yes, it smells, but it’s a blast!). Take a picnic lunch and lots of sunscreen, and then spend a relaxed evening in SLC.
Day 4: Wild West and wide open spaces
Today’s a road trip west to the Bonneville Salt Flats (about two hours). Let the kids run wild on the endless white flats. Bring water, snacks and maybe a change of clothes so they can splash in the surface water. Head back to SLC for the night.
Day 5: Logan comfort
Head north to Logan after breakfast and spend the afternoon at the American West Heritage Centre with pioneer games, animals and lots of room to roam. After lunch, drive through Logan Canyon to Bear Lake for clear blue water and a perfect beach afternoon. Rent paddleboards, build sandcastles and grab a raspberry shake from LeBeau’s. Stay lakeside if you want more splash time or head back toward Logan
after sunset.
Day 6: Ogden and Midway magic
Drive to Ogden and kick off the day with dinosaurs at the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, then check out giant jets at the Hill Aerospace Museum or climb around old trains at the Utah State Railroad Museum. Afterwards, head to Midway and wind down with a scenic ride on the Heber Valley Railroad.
Day 7: Utah Valley adventures
Spend your last full day exploring Utah Valley. Head to Thanksgiving Point in Lehi for hands-on fun at the Museum of Natural Curiosity, dinosaur adventures at the Museum of Ancient Life or a peaceful stroll through the gardens. If you want something quicker, Dreamscapes Park at University Place Mall offers a cool, interactive art and light experience perfect for kids.
Day 8: Departure day
Pack up and head to the airport – maybe with a quick drive-thru stop for one last famous Utah soda for that final boost of sugar!
Recommended Tour by America As You Like It
Northern Utah’s Peaks & Parks: 12 nights from £1,745 per person
Explore Utah’s capital, Salt Lake, and dinosaur trails, alpine lakes, remote parks on a spectacular northern Utah road trip.
What I love about Northern Utah is how it draws people in – the mountains, the seasons, the small-town feel. Visitors come for the views, but they end up falling for the community. It’s the kind of place where you show up for a weekend and start dreaming about staying.
Matt Reschke, Owner of Pizza Yard in Heber Valley
Need to know
Getting there: There are direct flights from London Heathrow to Salt Lake City with Delta. Alternatively, fly via major US hubs like Denver, Dallas or Atlanta. Las Vegas is another option, especially if you’re exploring southern Utah.
Getting around: You’ll need a car or motorhome. Public transport is limited outside city centres, and many of Utah’s top sights are spread out. Hire a vehicle at the airport or book a self-drive tour. For winter travel, check weather and road conditions daily.
Best time to go: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds. Summer is ideal for family trips, with quieter National Parks and star-filled skies for stargazing thanks to Utah’s 26 Dark Sky Parks. Winter is best for winter sports.
Further information: visitutah.com
