Hey, If you're coming to Utah then you're probably planning on visiting one (or more) of its national parks. And I don't blame you—they're worth the trip. Problem is, that's where most people stop. And that's a shame, because there's so much to do in between. So to help liven up your trip I've come up with some must-do's that you'll want to pencil into your itinerary: 1. Take a drive on Highway 12 If there's a better scenic drive in the U.S., I haven't found it. Highway 12 takes you through Escalante, over ridge spines, past sandstone cliffs, and through pine forests. It's like five ecosystems in one afternoon. Stop often, take photos, and let it sink in. 2. Eat Navajo tacos and fry bread Forget chain restaurants—track down local vendors or stops near Monument Valley or Moab. Navajo tacos are usually built on fresh fry bread with beans, cheese, chili, lettuce, and magic. Absolute must. 3. Visit Dead Horse Point State Park You've probably seen the view since it's been in a million movies. But standing at the edge of this canyon, watching the Colorado River snake around the cliffside below you, it still hits like a punch to the chest. Go at golden hour. Trust me. 4. Ride a Sand Cruiser at OutpostX Okay, I'm biased...but this one's too good not to include. There's a cracked clay lakebed here that stretches for 100 acres. We hand-built sci-fi sand cruisers that go 35 mph across it. It feels like Mad Max meets Mario Kart, and there's even an audio-guided tour with 20+ stops that tells the wild story of Planet Namaajin. YouTuber Ryan Trahan called it "insane" and said it felt like being on another planet. It's one of the most fun things you'll do all year. 5. Ride the Sundance zipline If you're more into adrenaline than zen, head up to Sundance Mountain Resort and do the zipline tour. It's one of the longest in the country—you're literally flying over canyons with your mouth open in awe and fear (in a good way). 6. Camp under the stars Utah has some of the darkest skies in the country. You'll see the Milky Way like a streak of spilled glitter across the whole sky. Whether you're in a ten t or one of our transparent zen domes , you'll know you're doing it right when you forget what day it is. 7. Float the Provo River If you're here in summer and want to cool off, grab a tube or a paddleboard and float down the Provo River. It's peaceful, shady, and you'll glide past fishermen, cliffs, and the occasional curious deer. 8. Do absolutely nothing in the desert This might sound weird, but one of the best things you can do in Utah... is nothing. Sit on a rock. Watch the sky change. Let the silence work on you. Sometimes, the most healing moments are the ones without an itinerary. There's way more to this state than people realize. Sure, the parks are cool. But it's the in-between moments—the weird little towns, the starry nights, the post-hike conversations, the feeling of being somewhere completely different—that really stick with you. So plan the hikes and take the photos...but don't be afraid to wander and go off-map. Because that's where the good stuff usually lives. —Travis OutpostX P.S . The amount of things to do at OutpostX is enough for a new list in itself. You can meditate in a hidden cave lounge with waterfalls and hot tubs built into the rock... Take the audio-guided sand cruiser tour with 20+ stops about the lore of Namaajin... Climb boulders and try your hand at Atlatl throwing (aka prehistoric spear launching)... Talk to Amira, our AI host, who knows way more about this place than she probably should... Kick back late at night near our fire pits with cooking racks (firewood ready to go).. . Or deck yourself out in our full character wardrobe rentals so you can step into our world, not just stay in it. Either way, you'll see that it isn't one of those places where you just check in, sleep, and leave. It's a full-on experience—like a desert playground for adults who never stopped being curious. Just click here to make sure you don't miss out on any of the fun next time you stop by.

Hey, Travis from OutpostX here. Still planning your trip to Utah? I hope so—because it's a place I think everyone needs to visit at least once. From red rock cathedrals, peaceful slot canyons and skies so clear they don't even look real, it's filled with sights that'll take you straight to another world. Here are some of my top places to stop by for your next trip: 1. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park Imagine massive coral-colored sand dunes surrounded by juniper trees and red cliffs. Now imagine renting a sandboard or hopping on a dune buggy and riding those dunes like a kid with no adult supervision. It's fun, strange, and almost never crowded. 2. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument This one's massive, raw, and way less developed than the national parks. It's more of an explorer's playground than a traditional park. Slot canyons like Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch are a must—just make sure you bring plenty of water. 3. Kanab Sand Caves Just outside Kanab, these man-made caves are carved into the side of a cliff. The hike up is short but steep enough to make it feel earned. Once you're inside, you get natural windows that frame the desert beyond like some kind of ancient Instagram filter. Great for photos. 4. Utah Field House of Natural History (Vernal, UT) If you're into dinosaurs (or just want to feel like a 10-year-old again), this place is a gem. Giant dino skeletons, fossils you can touch, and an outdoor trail with full-size replicas. Plus, Vernal itself is kind of the unofficial dino capital of the U.S. 5. Spiral Jetty (Great Salt Lake) This is modern art meets ancient landscape. It's a massive spiral of black basalt rocks built into the Great Salt Lake back in the '70s by artist Robert Smithson. When the lake's low, you can walk the whole thing. When it's high, it disappears under the water like some kind of myth. 6. The Observatory at OutpostX This one's not on many maps...but it should be. It's a panoramic stargazing deck out in the clay flats with no light pollution—just the Milky Way, a hammock, and the kind of stillness you didn't know you missed. Plus, you might just catch one of Amira's astronomy lessons about the "constellations of Namaajin. " 7. Goblin Valley Ever wanted to wander through a field of stone mushrooms? That's Goblin Valley. The "goblins" are strange, squatting rock formations that look like creatures from another dimension. Super fun if you've got kids (or an inner child that still wants to climb on everything). 8. Mystic Hot Springs A weird little oasis near Monroe, Utah. Picture old-school bathtubs cemented into a red rock hillside, filled with steaming mineral water and overlooking open desert. It's quirky, relaxing, and definitely not your average spa day. Great stop on a road trip south. 9. Lake Powell This one's more of a summer thing, but if you want to kayak, paddleboard, or cliff-jump your way through a flooded canyon system, this is your place. The scenery is unbeatable with bright blue water against red canyon walls, and you can even camp on the beach. 10. Hell's Backbone Grill & Farm (Boulder, UT) If you're into good food and great drives, make your way to Boulder and hit Hell's Backbone. The road winds through wild terrain with views that stretch forever, and the restaurant is an absolute gem. And if you're looking for somewhere to stay that's way more than just a bed... Then check out OutpostX if you want to make your trip one you won't forget. Here's what makes it one of the most unforgettable stops in Utah: Zen Domes & Earth Huts : Sleep under the stars or inside hand-crafted structures with panoramic skylights—one YouTuber said it felt like "finding shelter on another planet" Hot Tubs & Spa Decks: Soak in warm waters or sweat it out in a wood-fired sauna Sand Cruisers: Cruise across our 100-acre playa like you're in a sci-fi movie I nteractive Storytelling & AI Lore: Choose your character, talk to Amira (our AI host), and immerse yourself in the story of planet Namaajin Zero Noise, Zero Neighbors: Total silence, total privacy, total reset Everyone who's stayed here agrees: OutpostX isn't just a stay—it's part of the adventure and an unforgettable centerpiece for any Utah road trip. So check us out if you need a home base that feels like your own private desert oasis. —Travis OutpostX