While millions flock to Utah’s famous national parks each year, savvy travelers and locals know that some of the state’s most magical experiences lie off the beaten path. From secret swimming holes to hidden historical sites, these 15 hidden gems showcase a side of Utah that most tourists never see.
Ready to explore like a local? Let’s dive into Utah’s best-kept secrets.
1. Fifth Water Hot Springs (Diamond Fork Hot Springs)
Location: Spanish Fork Canyon, Utah County
Difficulty: Moderate 2.3-mile hike
Best Time to Visit: Fall and Spring (summer crowds, winter ice)
Tucked away in Spanish Fork Canyon, Fifth Water Hot Springs offers a series of natural pools cascading down a mountainside, each with varying temperatures perfect for soaking after the moderate hike in.
What Makes It Special: The journey to the hot springs is as beautiful as the destination, following a creek through a scenic canyon. Multiple pools mean you can find your perfect temperature, from warm to hot. The mineral-rich waters are believed to have therapeutic properties.
Insider Tips:
- Arrive early morning or weekday to avoid crowds
- Bring a swimsuit and water shoes (rocks can be slippery)
- Pack out all trash—this is a leave-no-trace area
- Check road conditions in winter; the access road can be dangerous
Getting There: From Spanish Fork, take US-6 east, turn at the Diamond Fork Canyon sign. The trailhead has limited parking, so arrive early during peak season.
2. Cascade Springs
Location: Wasatch Mountain State Park, near Heber
Difficulty: Easy boardwalk trail
Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall
Cascade Springs is a hidden oasis where crystal-clear spring water creates a series of limestone terraces and pools teeming with plant life. The boardwalk trail makes it accessible to everyone, yet it remains relatively unknown compared to Utah’s bigger attractions.
What Makes It Special: The springs produce 7 million gallons of water daily at a constant 50°F, creating unique ecosystems and stunning turquoise pools. It’s a photographer’s paradise, especially in fall when surrounding aspens turn golden.
Insider Tips:
- The scenic drive through American Fork Canyon is spectacular
- Best photography in the morning when light filters through the trees
- No swimming allowed—this is a protected watershed
- Free admission makes it a budget-friendly adventure
Perfect For: Families with young children, photographers, nature lovers seeking a peaceful escape without strenuous hiking.
3. Goblin Valley State Park
Location: Near Hanksville, San Rafael Swell
Difficulty: Easy to explore
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall (summer is brutally hot)
While technically a state park, Goblin Valley remains far less crowded than Utah’s famous “Mighty 5” national parks. This otherworldly landscape features thousands of mushroom-shaped rock formations called “hoodoos” that look like goblins frozen in stone.
What Makes It Special: Unlike most Utah parks with strict stay-on-trail policies, Goblin Valley encourages exploration. You can wander freely among the rock formations, climb on them, and find your own path through this Martian landscape.
Insider Tips:
- Stay for sunset—the rocks glow orange and pink
- Bring plenty of water (no shade anywhere)
- Three valley areas to explore: Valley of Goblins, Goblin’s Lair, and Carmel Canyon
- Camping available for stunning night sky photography
Hidden Bonus: Goblin’s Lair, a massive chamber accessed through a narrow slot, adds adventure for those willing to crawl through the entrance.
4. The Bonneville Salt Flats at Dawn
Location: Near Wendover, on the Utah-Nevada border
Difficulty: Easy drive-up access
Best Time to Visit: August-October after rain
Everyone knows about the Bonneville Salt Flats, but few experience them at their most magical: at dawn after a rain when the flats become a perfect mirror reflecting the sky.
What Makes It Special: When conditions align, the salt flats transform into the world’s largest natural mirror. The effect is surreal—walking on it feels like stepping into the sky itself. It’s one of the most unique natural phenomena in North America.
Insider Tips:
- Check weather conditions; recent rain creates the mirror effect
- Arrive 30 minutes before sunrise for best conditions
- Wear shoes you don’t mind getting salty
- The flats are hard and safe to drive on when dry
- Free access, open 24/7
Photography Gold: This is bucket-list photography. The infinite reflection creates optical illusions and stunning perspective shots impossible anywhere else.
5. Swing Hill (The Swing at the End of the World)
Location: Various locations, most famous near Vernon, Utah
Difficulty: Moderate hike
Best Time to Visit: Summer and fall
Several locations in Utah feature dramatic swings perched on hillsides or cliff edges, offering breathtaking views and Instagram-worthy photos. The most famous overlooks miles of valley below.
What Makes It Special: The sensation of swinging out over open space with nothing but views is exhilarating. Each swing location offers unique perspectives of Utah’s landscape, from desert valleys to mountain vistas.
Insider Tips:
- Coordinates for popular locations are shared on local hiking forums
- Arrive early; these spots get crowded after social media posts
- Be cautious—there are no safety features
- Respect private property; some swings are on private land with permission
Safety First: While thrilling, these swings require caution. They’re maintained by volunteers and come with inherent risks. Adults and older teens only.
6. Red Fleet State Park
Location: Near Vernal, northeastern Utah
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (dinosaur trackway trail)
Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall
Red Fleet combines a beautiful reservoir for water recreation with an incredible secret: a 200-million-year-old dinosaur trackway preserved in stone along the shore.
What Makes It Special: You can literally see—and touch—dinosaur footprints left by dilophosaurus millions of years ago. The 1.5-mile trail to the trackway offers stunning red rock scenery, and the reservoir provides swimming, boating, and fishing.
Insider Tips:
- Bring water and sun protection (exposed trail)
- Best to see tracks when water level is lower (late summer/fall)
- Combine trackway hike with paddleboarding on the reservoir
- Much less crowded than Dinosaur National Monument
Perfect For: Families, dinosaur enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to combine outdoor recreation with paleontology.
7. Mystic Hot Springs
Location: Monroe, central Utah
Difficulty: No hike required
Best Time to Visit: Year-round (winter soaking is magical)
Mystic Hot Springs offers a quirky, bohemian alternative to commercialized hot springs. Vintage bathtubs perched on colorful mineral deposits allow private soaking with mountain views.
What Makes It Special: The eclectic vibe combines artistic expression with natural hot springs. Mineral-rich water flows into clawfoot tubs, creating a unique soaking experience. The property includes vintage buses converted into overnight accommodations for a truly offbeat stay.
Insider Tips:
- Reservations recommended for tubs (especially weekends)
- Clothing optional areas available
- On-site camping in buses and unique structures
- Support the small, independent operation—it’s one of a kind
Cultural Note: Mystic Hot Springs embraces countercultural aesthetics. Expect a laid-back, artistic atmosphere different from typical resort hot springs.
8. Crystal Geyser
Location: Near Green River, eastern Utah
Difficulty: Easy drive to the site
Best Time to Visit: Spring through fall
Unlike Yellowstone’s geysers powered by volcanic heat, Crystal Geyser is a cold-water geyser—extremely rare worldwide. This man-made oddity resulted from an oil exploration drill in 1935 that tapped a pressurized aquifer.
What Makes It Special: The geyser erupts approximately every 8-16 hours, shooting water 60-100 feet into the air. The travertine deposits around it create a colorful, otherworldly landscape. It’s one of only a handful of cold-water geysers on Earth.
Insider Tips:
- Eruption timing is unpredictable; plan to wait or get lucky
- The access road requires high clearance (not 4WD necessary)
- Free and rarely crowded
- Best time is often morning; check recent visitor reports for timing
- Bring camping gear to wait for an eruption—camping allowed
Adventure Level: The remote location and unpredictable timing make this a true treasure hunt.
9. Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument
Location: Indian Creek Canyon, near Monticello
Difficulty: Easy, roadside viewing
Best Time to Visit: Year-round
Newspaper Rock features one of the largest known collections of petroglyphs in the Southwest—over 650 rock art designs carved into a single large rock face spanning 2,000 years of human history.
What Makes It Special: This isn’t just ancient graffiti; it’s a timeline of human culture from multiple civilizations. Symbols include animals, humans, handprints, and abstract designs created by various peoples from Archaic to modern times.
Insider Tips:
- Completely free and accessible from the roadside
- Bring binoculars to see details in higher sections
- Morning or late afternoon light enhances the carvings
- Quick stop on the way to Canyonlands National Park
Cultural Respect: These are sacred indigenous sites. Look, photograph, but never touch the petroglyphs. Modern vandalism diminishes this irreplaceable cultural treasure.
10. The Grotto (Payson Canyon)
Location: Payson Canyon, Utah County
Difficulty: Moderate hike (0.5 miles but steep)
Best Time to Visit: Spring and early summer (waterfall flow)
The Grotto is a stunning waterfall that plunges through an opening in the rock, creating a cave-like setting perfect for cooling off on hot summer days.
What Makes It Special: The waterfall’s unique formation creates a natural grotto where you can stand behind falling water. In spring, snowmelt creates a powerful cascade. By late summer, it slows to a gentle trickle, revealing the cave interior.
Insider Tips:
- Very steep trail—good shoes essential
- Waterfall flow depends on snowpack and season
- Swimming allowed but water is COLD
- Can be crowded on summer weekends; weekday mornings best
- Free parking at the trailhead
Best Seasons: Early to mid-spring for maximum water flow and impressive cascades. Late summer offers easier access to the cave area but less dramatic falls.
11. Providence Canyon (Little Sahara Sand Dunes)
Location: Near Jericho, Juab County
Difficulty: Easy exploration
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall (too hot in summer)
Little Sahara Recreation Area features 60,000 acres of sand dunes—the most extensive sand dune system in the western United States. It feels like the Sahara Desert dropped into Utah.
What Makes It Special: Unlike Utah’s famous red rocks, these dunes are pure white sand perfect for sandboarding, ATV riding, or simply walking. The dunes constantly shift, creating ever-changing landscapes.
Insider Tips:
- Bring sand sleds or sandboards (available to rent in nearby towns)
- Camping available in designated areas
- Some areas designated for OHVs, others pedestrian-only
- Sunrise and sunset offer coolest temperatures and best photography
- Entrance fee required ($6-10 depending on vehicle)
Unique Activities: Sandboarding down massive dunes, stargazing (minimal light pollution), dune photography, and watching competitive ATV events.
12. Homestead Crater
Location: Midway, Wasatch County
Difficulty: No hiking required
Best Time to Visit: Year-round (indoor)
Homestead Crater is a 55-foot tall, beehive-shaped limestone dome hiding a natural hot spring pool inside. It’s one of the most unique geothermal features in North America, and you can swim or scuba dive in it.
What Makes It Special: Swimming inside a 10,000-year-old crater is surreal. The water stays at 90-96°F year-round, and the mineral-rich spring creates an otherworldly swimming experience. It’s also one of the only geothermal features in the continental US where you can scuba dive.
Insider Tips:
- Reservations required (very popular)
- Various activities: swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, paddleboarding
- Cost: $18-25 depending on activity
- Located at Homestead Resort—consider overnight stay
- Perfect for cold winter days
Unique Offering: The crater offers scuba diving certification courses in warm, clear, consistent conditions—rare for Utah.
13. San Rafael Swell
Location: Between Green River and Castle Dale, central Utah
Difficulty: Varies (drive-up to challenging backcountry)
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall
The San Rafael Swell is a massive geological uplift covering 2,000 square miles of stunning desert landscape. It’s like having a national park to yourself—very few visitors explore this BLM-managed wilderness.
What Makes It Special: Dramatic canyons, colorful badlands, ancient rock art, and endless exploration opportunities without the crowds of nearby national parks. Highlights include Goblin Valley (listed separately), Little Wild Horse Canyon (narrow slot canyon), and hundreds of hiking and backpacking routes.
Insider Tips:
- High-clearance vehicle recommended, 4WD for some areas
- Download offline maps (poor cell coverage)
- Dispersed camping allowed in most areas (free)
- Bring all supplies—services are far apart
- Check weather; flash flood danger in canyons
Adventure Level: For those seeking solitude and wilderness, the Swell offers backcountry experiences rivaling famous parks without permit lotteries or crowds.
14. Bridal Veil Falls Zipline
Location: Provo Canyon
Difficulty: No hiking (chairlift access)
Best Time to Visit: Summer
While Bridal Veil Falls is well-known, few people know about the zipline course that offers a completely unique perspective of the 607-foot double cataract waterfall.
What Makes It Special: Zip lining with a massive waterfall as your backdrop is unforgettable. The course includes four separate ziplines, and the final line runs alongside the falls. It’s the best way to experience the power and scale of the waterfall.
Insider Tips:
- Advance reservations strongly recommended
- Costs around $100 per person
- Minimum age/weight requirements apply
- Access via chairlift adds to the adventure
- Summer and early fall offer best conditions
Perfect For: Adventure seekers, families with older children, anyone wanting a unique perspective on a classic Utah landmark.
15. Tony Grove Lake
Location: Logan Canyon, Cache National Forest
Difficulty: Easy drive, easy trails around the lake
Best Time to Visit: Late June through September
Tony Grove Lake sits at 8,000 feet elevation in the Bear River Range, offering an alpine paradise that feels more like Switzerland than Utah. Wildflower meadows surround the pristine mountain lake, creating a scene that seems almost too perfect.
What Makes It Special: July brings peak wildflower blooms—millions of flowers carpet the meadows surrounding the lake in vibrant colors. The area offers short, easy trails for families and longer backcountry routes for serious hikers. The alpine setting provides cool temperatures even during Utah’s hottest months.
Insider Tips:
- Seasonal road—typically opens mid-June, closes mid-October
- Peak wildflowers: mid-July to early August
- Parking fills up quickly on summer weekends
- Excellent paddleboarding and kayaking (no gas motors)
- Camping available but sites fill fast
- Afternoon thunderstorms common in summer—start early
Hidden Trails: Beyond the lake loop, trails lead to higher alpine areas with even more spectacular views. The White Pine Lake trail is particularly stunning.
Planning Your Hidden Gems Road Trip
Creating Your Itinerary
Weekend Warriors (2-3 days):
- Day 1: Fifth Water Hot Springs + Cascade Springs
- Day 2: Goblin Valley + Crystal Geyser
- Day 3: San Rafael Swell exploration
Week-Long Adventure (7 days): Cover multiple regions with overnight camping in unique locations. Prioritize areas based on season and weather conditions.
Day Trip Options: Many hidden gems are perfect for day trips from Salt Lake City, Provo, or other major Utah cities.
Best Seasons for Exploring
Spring (April-May):
- Waterfalls at peak flow
- Wildflowers beginning to bloom
- Hot springs perfect temperature contrast
- Desert locations pleasant before summer heat
Summer (June-August):
- Alpine areas accessible (Tony Grove Lake, high-elevation hikes)
- Long daylight hours for exploration
- Swimming holes and water activities peak
- Desert locations very hot—morning/evening only
Fall (September-October):
- Ideal temperatures across most of Utah
- Fall colors in mountains
- Fewer crowds as tourist season winds down
- Perfect for hot springs and desert exploration
Winter (November-March):
- Hot springs especially appealing
- Indoor attractions like Homestead Crater shine
- Many high-elevation sites inaccessible (seasonal road closures)
- Bonus: Hot springs in snow are magical
Essential Packing List
For Every Adventure:
- Plenty of water (Utah is dry!)
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses)
- Layers (temperatures vary dramatically)
- Sturdy footwear
- Offline maps and GPS
- First aid kit
- Phone charger/battery pack
Specific Activities:
- Hot springs: Swimsuit, towel, water shoes
- Hiking: Extra water, snacks, proper boots
- Photography: Tripod, extra batteries
- Camping: Complete camping gear, bear-safe food storage
Safety and Leave No Trace
Safety First:
- Check weather forecasts and road conditions
- Tell someone your plans
- Carry emergency supplies
- Know your limits
- Cell service is limited in remote areas
Leave No Trace Principles:
- Pack out all trash (including toilet paper)
- Stay on designated trails where they exist
- Don’t disturb wildlife or cultural artifacts
- Use established campsites
- Respect private property boundaries
Cultural Respect: Many sites have cultural and spiritual significance to indigenous peoples. Treat rock art, ruins, and other cultural resources with utmost respect. Look, photograph, but never touch or remove anything.
Local Knowledge: Connecting with Utah’s Hidden Side
Finding More Hidden Gems
Local Resources:
- Join Utah hiking and adventure groups on social media
- Talk to locals in small towns—they often know secret spots
- Visit local visitor centers in smaller communities
- Check with BLM and Forest Service offices for lesser-known areas
Responsible Sharing: While we’ve shared these locations, consider the impact of social media. Some places remain special because they’re not overcrowded. Share responsibly, respect capacity limits, and consider keeping your very favorite discoveries a little more private.
Supporting Local Communities
Many of these hidden gems exist near small Utah towns:
- Eat at local restaurants
- Stay in local accommodations
- Buy from small businesses
- Respect local culture and customs
- Ask permission before accessing private property
Your tourism dollars help sustain these communities that serve as gateways to Utah’s hidden treasures.
Beyond the Obvious: The Joy of Discovery
Utah’s hidden gems offer something the famous parks can’t: the thrill of discovery and the gift of solitude. While millions photograph Delicate Arch, you could be soaking in a secret hot spring, exploring an unmapped canyon, or standing alone before ancient petroglyphs.
These fifteen locations represent just the beginning. Utah holds countless more hidden treasures waiting for curious explorers willing to venture beyond guidebook highlights. The secret to finding them?
Talk to locals. Study maps. Take that unmarked road. Stay curious.
The best hidden gems are the ones you discover yourself.
Conclusion: Your Utah Secret Adventure Awaits
Utah’s hidden gems provide a counterpoint to the state’s famous national parks. Here, you’ll find fewer crowds, more authenticity, and the genuine sense of exploration that makes adventure meaningful.
Whether you’re soaking in Fifth Water Hot Springs, watching the sunrise mirror on Bonneville Salt Flats, or exploring the otherworldly formations of Goblin Valley, these experiences offer intimate connections with Utah’s natural and cultural heritage.
The hidden gems on this list welcome you to experience Utah as locals do—with respect, curiosity, and a sense of adventure. Pack your bags, download your maps, and discover the Utah that exists beyond the postcards.
The secret is out—but these treasures are vast enough to share. Your hidden Utah adventure awaits.
Planning your trip? Check out our other Utah guides:
- “Where to Stay in Utah: Hidden Accommodation Gems”
- “Utah’s Best Backroads: Scenic Drives Off the Beaten Path”
- “Local’s Guide to Utah: Beyond the National Parks”
Last Updated: October 2025
Found your own hidden gem in Utah? We’d love to hear about it (as long as you share responsibly)!