Romantic Getaways in Utah

With combination of intense natural beauty and man-made spectacle, Utah has long figured as a one-of-a-kind, awe-inspiring vacation destination for couples. Besides this gorgeous is land filled with unforgettable cultural sites and a deep history of diverse people from Native American Utes to Mormon missionaries and rugged mountain men – all of which make the …state the perfect choice for a romantic getaway.

Highway 12 — A Journey Through Time Scenic Byway

Driving along scenic byways is one of the most favorite romantic activities of couples and in Utah, the State Highway 12could be a perfect way to woo your beloved.  Named one of the top 10 scenic byways in the United States by the United States Department of Transportation, State Highway 12 is the only road in Utah to be designated as an All-American Road. This is the highest classification by the Federal Highway Administration's National Scenic Byways Program for which the highway must create a unique travel experience and provide key archaeological, historic, natural, cultural, recreational, and scenic qualities – all of which you will find along the State Highway 12. The scenic Highway 12 extends 124 miles from U.S. Highway 89, seven miles south of the city of Panguitch to State Highway 24 in the town of Torrey near Capitol Reef National Park. Some of the favorite stops of couples along this scenic byway are Escalante, Bryce Canyon, Calf Creek Falls and the charming town of Boulder where you can even stay overnight at a cozy bed and breakfast or a quaint inn. Here you can even make a quick detour to Anasazi State Park which is open year-round. With an interactive indoor museum and access to intact outdoor Pueblo ruins, this park is a place well worth stopping by on your drive along Highway 12. No matter what your itinerary is, be sure to Plan to take several hours to drive the byway because you are sure to end making frequent stops as you drive along the red rock canyons, quaking aspen forests, national and state parks, and charming rural towns.

SNOWBASIN

To experience why so many romantic getaways are to be found on the skiing slopes of Utah, simply go to Snowbasin in the Ogden Valley. The well-groomed cruising runs of this resort are always a delight; and even if you are not really a skiing expert, the slopes here are perfect for skiers of all skill levels.  For couples interested in more advanced thrills though, Snowbasin offers the state’s third-highest vertical drop. Apart from skiing, there is still a lot to attract couples to this resort – you can relax at a spa, experience the exhilaration of snowmobiling, shop till you drop, go ice skating, or take a romantic sleigh ride, try Nordic (cross country) skiing or strap on some snowshoes to see the wonders of winter at a slower pace. Again Snowbasin is no remote outpost in the mountains since it offers dining options as well. Earl's Lodge at the base is open every day from eight in the morning while The Cinnabar in Earl's Lodge is great for lunch & après ski. Needles Lodge and John Paul Lodge are situated high on top the slopes offering more great food & vistas. If you are planning overnight stay, the Ogden Valley, nine miles from the Snowbasin base area, offers overnight accommodations and dining. Ogden city, 17 miles to the west, boasts a wide array of dining, lodging and shopping which is sure to tempt you and your sweetheart to a longer stay.

Salt Lake City

Like the rest of the state, Salt Lake City is rich in natural sights which are sure to take your romantic vacation to the next level. The capital city of Utah is home to the Timpanogos Cave, which is a national monument in the Wasatch Mountains and offers a spectacular view of the American Fork Canyon. For another striking peek at the city, you an your partner can go to the Red Butte Gardens in the foothills, which has fountains, waterfalls and a colourful display of flora. For an even more romantic experience, take a train ride on the Historic Heber Valley railroad through Provo Canyon. Those with an interest in culture and history can visit the Utah museum of Fine Arts, or the Salt Lake Art Centre. Don’t however miss the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. For this head to Temple Square and enhance your romantic Utah vacation by catching one of their beautiful performances. You can also sit in on rehearsals and radio broadcasts free of charge for a very memorable and wonderful experience. Descend the mountain and visit the Cathedral of the Madeleine, which is the largest Catholic Church in Salt Lake Other historic sights include the Beehive House and Fort Douglas while Brewvies Cinema Pub and Capitol Theatre offer excellent entertainment opportunities. No Salt Lake City vacation can be complete though without a visit to the Great Salt Lake which provides a unique swimming experience due to its high salinity. Here you can also go boating and sailing with your sweetheart while for more active couples, the rivers in the area offer white water rafting and canoeing.

Moab

If you and your partner are interested in unusual landscapes, make sure you include Moab in your romantic Utah itinerary. Here in the southeastern part of the state, the landscape turns a wild assortment of fantastic colors from red, orange and pink to surprising hues of turquoise, creams and browns.  Also to be seen are some of the most gorgeous natural phenomena in the United States with bizarre rock formations, sheer vertical cliffs and deep canyons all framed by majestic snow-capped mountains. Within minutes of town you will find yourself surrounded by out-of-this-world red rock landscape of Arches National Park. Less than an hour’s drive will put you atop the mythical sounding Island in the Sky, a remarkable district of Canyonlands National Park that makes you feel as if you are on top of the world. The views from the Island encompass thousands of square miles of colorful canyons, mesas and buttes. Again Dead Horse Point State Park is a short drive from Moab and offers visitors amazing views of the snaking meanders of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below. Just 20 miles south of Moab are the La Sal Mountains, which rise up to nearly 13,000 feet making these alpine mountains the second highest mountain range in Utah. Such diverse landscape naturally means that at Moab you and your partner can go mountain biking, hiking, four wheel driving, or river trips of any length and experience level. For a more relaxing visit however just sit back and enjoy the scenery along the beautiful scenic drives through national parks or on Moab’s three Scenic Byways. Lodging is no problem at all as there are cozy bed and breakfast, luxury resorts, swanky hotels and well-equipped campgrounds to choose from, all with the fantastic landscape as the backdrop. Thus spending time in Moab is to get back to nature in a most primal way and is sure to make some really unforgettable memories of your romantic vacation.

Cascade Springs

Located within the Uinta National Forest in the Wasatch Range, east of American Fork Canyon and west of Wasatch Mountain State Park, Cascade Springs is a network of paved trails and boardwalks that circle around bubbling springs. Water from the springs flows over a series of travertine terraces and pools and eventually continues on its way to nearby Provo Deer Creek.

Cascade Springs has three loops – The lower pools loop is the most popular section with its easily accessible pathways and soothingly cool woods. The middle cascade loop begins at a wooden bridge situated over a waterfall with trails continuing up the slope on either side of the cascading falls. The spring water flows out of the ground within the center of the upper springs loop.

A trail system of paved paths, raised boardwalks, and wooden bridges consists of three interconnecting loops, which gives you a choice of walking only a short distance or completing all three loops for a longer walk. Benches are provided along the walkways, where you can rest with your partner and takein the beauty of the surroundings. Interpretive signs present educational information about Cascade Springs’ geology, water cycle, wildlife, and plant life.

Once on the boardwalks, you can set your own pace, wandering through the network of fully accessible boardwalks as fast or as slow as you want. There is one set of stairs, but there are plenty of flat trails to be enjoyed. The springs are beautiful – as the name of the location suggests, the cascading waters bubble over rocks and under bridges and create the most magical setting for you and your partner to romance each other.