Utah's top 10: For little or no cost, Utahns can enjoy wealth of recreation

Published: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 3:06 p.m. MDT
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There are also mountain lakes out of the White Pine trailhead, located below Snowbird.

Another popular hike is to Secret Lake above Alta Ski Area in Albion Basin. The well-marked trail leads out of the Albion campground.

History

Utah is definitely not lacking in historical places to visit.

Starting with the Flaming Gorge-Uintas National Scenic Byway along Highway 44. Geological formations along this route are some of the oldest in the world, dating back more than a billion years. There are signs along the way presenting facts and pointing out formations.

There are, of course, places spotlighting Utah's link to prehistoric times including Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry 35 miles south of Price and the Dinosaur National Monument to the east of Vernal.

The Utah Fieldhouse of Natural History State Park in Vernal offers a look at past and present. There are six state park museums displaying everything from early American artifacts to dinosaur bones. Entrance fees range from $4 to $6.

There are also the dinosaur exhibits at the universities, namely the College of Eastern Utah in Price and the University of Utah.

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For a look at early pioneers there is no better place than This is the Place Heritage Park near the mouth of Emigration Canyon. Among other things there are more than 40 restored buildings and cabins, a Native American village, crafts and staff in pioneer attire.

Most attractions require a small fee.

Animals

There is no shortage of wildlife viewing opportunities in Utah. More than 600 species of mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles and amphibians can be found in the state.

One of the more popular viewing spots is Antelope Island, which is home to more than 700 buffalo, along with coyote, deer, antelope and California bighorn sheep.

The island is also home to a large number of birds and waterfowl. There are a number of campsites, and toward the southern tip the Fielding Garr Ranch, which offers a touch of history. Horseback tours of the island are also available.

Admission fee is $9 per vehicle.

There is also a herd of bison on the Henry Mountains in southern Utah. Locating them, however, can be difficult.

There are a wide range of bird-viewing opportunities, among them Farmington and Ogden Bay bird refuges, and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge near Brigham City, which also features a walking path and museum. There are roads leading into and around these locations.

West of Logan are the Cutler marshes. More than 400 bird species either make migration stops or take up residency here, everything from swallows to eagles. It's a great place for some flat-water boating.

Recent comments

Ernest, when was the last time you enrolled in a paleontology course...

really? | July 11, 2009 at 12:17 p.m.

re: forgot byu,
Trouble is, they say dinosaurs are only 6,000 years...

Ernest T. Bass | July 10, 2009 at 10:56 a.m.

BYU has a museum of paleontology with some great dinosaur exhibits...

You forgot BYU | July 9, 2009 at 8:30 p.m.

Image

A teepee in the new Native American Village at This Is The Place Heritage Park in Salt Lake City.

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