Known for its canyons and breathtaking views, its whitewater rivers and Wild West outposts, its tranquil lakes and fantastic rock formations, Utah is one of the most beautiful and varied places on the planet. Backroads of Utah takes you to every corner of this spectacular state, from Dinosaur National Monument to Rainbow Bridge, from historic squares to outlaw hideaways, from the vaulting natural arches of Arches National Park to the exquisite formations in Timpanogos Cave.
Utah, home to five national parks, seven national monuments, and six national forests (as well as forty state parks and an extensive system of scenic byways), has something for every traveler. And whether youre seeking adventure or the quiet contemplation of nature, an immersion in history or a taste of culture, the backroad adventures charted in this book will take you where you want to go.
Theresa Husariks inviting text and lovely color photographs offer a thorough overview of Utahs landscapes, its legacy, and its people. With detailed travel directions and maps, as well as entertaining sidelights from the states history, this handy guide to Utahs justly famous attractions and lesser-known gems makes a perfect companion for any traveler in the Beehive State.
Not long ago, the only way to explore Utah was by backroad. While the Beehive State now has one of the fastest-growing populations in the West, Utah is still full of off-the-beaten-path places that offer views of breathtaking mountain peaks, vast dry desert landscapes, glowing red-rock arches, and signs that dinosaurs and ancient peoples once lived here.
In Backroads of Utah, longtime resident Theresa A. Husarik leads you on thirty driving tours—complete with maps and route directions—to the state’s most scenic corners. You’ll visit all five of the state’s stunning national parks—Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands—as well as abandoned Old West mining towns, majestic mountains that are home to the greatest snow on earth, and the Great Salt Lake’s largest island.
Tracing the history of Mormon pioneers, mountain men, and even the movie business in Utah, this book also takes you along the old Pony Express route, follows the Colorado River to glorious Lake Powell, and heads to rugged lands that will test your sense of off-roading adventure. With more than 120 full-color photos of Utah’s best scenery, as well as interesting historical archive photos, Backroads of Utah truly showcases the many inspiring wonders of this state.
