Salt Lake City is the best base in the Mountain West for day trips that feel like they belong on different planets. Within an hour or two you can stand on a salt sea, walk among bison, step onto a blinding white plain, ski a famous mountain or look into a copper pit. Here is how to choose and plan.
The easiest: the Great Salt Lake
The lake is less than an hour from downtown and offers the simplest introduction to the region's strangeness. A short boat tour tells the story of its salinity, brine shrimp and migratory birds, and takes less than an hour on the water. It is the right choice for a half day, or for a family with limited time. Remember that the lake's smell, a natural earthy odor near the shore, is normal.
The best all-round: Antelope Island
Reached by a seven-mile causeway, the island is a state park with bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, beaches and expansive views. A guided day tour is the easiest way to find the animals and learn about the lake's ecology, and sunset and dark-sky programs are popular. Bring bug repellent in early summer. It takes most of a day with travel and pairs well with a lakeside lunch on the way back.
The mountain town: Park City
Thirty-five miles east, Park City combines a preserved silver-mining Main Street with the venues of the 2002 Winter Olympics and two major ski resorts. It is a full day, and works in any season: skiing and snow in winter, hiking, biking and festivals in summer. A guided excursion avoids winter driving on the mountain highway. Plan lunch on Main Street and an afternoon at the Olympic Park.
The industrial wonder: Bingham Canyon Mine
Southwest of the city, the world's largest open-pit copper mine is a half-day trip in the open season. A shuttle takes visitors to an overlook above a pit more than 2.5 miles wide and about three-quarters of a mile deep. Reserve a timed slot, and check the season, because the visitor experience closes in winter.
The landscape: Bonneville Salt Flats
About 100 miles west, the salt flats are a flat, white plain with a surreal quality that photographers love. Plan a full day, and bring sunglasses, sunscreen and water. The Speed Week gathering in August is a draw for racing fans, while sunrise and sunset visits offer the best light. The flats can be wet and muddy in winter and spring, which produces mirror-like reflections but limits walking.
The pilgrimage: Spiral Jetty
For art lovers and those who want to get far from the city, the 1970 earthwork at Rozel Point is a long day, with about two and a half hours of driving each way and a gravel road at the end. The jetty is visible when the lake is low, and the north arm's pink water adds to the effect. A private tour makes the logistics easy.
The big ones: national parks
Salt Lake City is a gateway to some of the most famous parks in the country, but they are far. Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef are three to five hours away, and Yellowstone and Grand Teton are more than five. Guided day tours exist for Zion and Bryce, but they are very long days, and most visitors are better served by a multi-day trip. If your time is limited, choose the lake, the island or Park City instead.
Mountain days
Closer to home, the Cottonwood Canyons are an everyday escape. In summer, a guided hike to an alpine lake offers wildflowers and moose, while in winter the same canyons are among the best ski areas in the world. Both are within 45 minutes of downtown.
Planning tips
Pair a day trip with an easy evening in the city, and avoid stacking two long days in a row. Start early, especially in summer, when the heat and afternoon storms build. Check road and weather conditions before you leave, as winter storms can close canyon and mountain roads. Guided tours handle driving, parking and access, and are usually worth the cost for the remote destinations. For hotels, a downtown base such as the Marriott at City Creek or the Hilton makes all of these day trips easy.