Did you know that June is Great Outdoors Month? It is, by Presidential proclamation no less. So if you need any excuse to go enjoy the outdoors, then I’d say that’s reason enough. As part of Great Outdoors Month, June 1st is National Trails Day, the 1st through 9th is National Fishing and Boating Week, June 8th is National Get Outdoors Day, and June 22nd is the Great American Backyard Campout. But you absolutely don’t need to wait for one of those days to do something, as Utah is full of places to explore every day of the month. We’ve compiled a list of activities we love to do in June, and hopefully they’ll give you some ideas to go outside and do your civic duty.
Hike to the Bells Canyon Waterfalls – Sure, the Wasatch Mountains are not exactly known for waterfalls, but there are a few great ones if you know where to look. Bells Canyon near Sandy City is home to two impressive falls that make a great day hike for adventurers of all ages.
Mountain bike Deadman’s Ridge Trail in Moab – Deadman’s Ridge Trail is a loop that belongs to the Brand Trails network, which, on the whole, is known as a beginner’s area. But don’t be turned away by the easy-breezy nature of the Brand Trails reputation, because Deadman’s Ridge packs a technical punch thanks to small (but fun) rock drops, steep slickrock ramps, and twisting singletrack on humps shaped like dinosaur backs that spin-cycle you through one of Moab’s best rides.
Learn to Kayak – There are plenty of opportunities in Utah to learn the ins and outs of whitewater kayaking, and June is a great time of year thanks to spring runoff. There are many places to learn, and organizations to teach you how.
Camp in Red Canyon – Red Canyon, located between the town of Panguitch and Bryce Canyon National Park, is a fantastic area for outdoor recreation set among stunning scenery. Unfortunately, most people simply drive through on their way to the more famous national park next door. Little do they know that there is so much to do in Red Canyon, and the campground is fantastic.
Rock climb Bong Eater Buttress – Who wouldn’t want to climb at a place called Bong Eater? The Bong Eater Buttress is located in Little Cottonwood Canyon and is the first major rock outcrop on the north side of the canyon. The centerpiece route on this granite prow is the namesake climb – Bong Eater
Backcountry ski Deseret Peak – You may not think about skiing in June, but there’s always snow high in the mountains this time of year. Alta and the Uinta Mountains hold snow well into summer. Another mountain that can be skied is Deseret Peak. The North Twin Couloirs are naturally protected between limestone walls and keep snow for excellent corn skiing despite the June heat. Strap your skis or snowboard to your pack, hike to the summit, then ski down!
Go canyoneering in the Cottonwood Wash Slot – Capitol Reef National Park isn’t the place that might come to mind when searching out new slots to hike, but along the park’s eastern boundary there are numerous canyons awaiting those who seek these adventures. Cottonwood Wash doesn’t get the hype of nearby canyons, and I’m still trying to figure out why that is. If you’re looking for solitude, beauty and of course, tight spaces, then Cottonwood is the crack for you.
Backpack into Bryce Canyon National Park – Backpacking in Bryce Canyon NP is a hybrid experience. It’s not quite a desert, and not quite a pine forest. And to be completely fair, Bryce Canyon really isn’t a canyon at all. It’s more like a handful of canyons with similar terrain. Hybrid, indeed. The fact that Bryce can’t be easily summed up only adds to its mystique, and make it a “must-do” backpacking trip.
Raft Westwater Canyon – Utah has no shortage of excellent whitewater rafting runs, but few are as accessible as Westwater Canyon. Westwater is the first canyon the Colorado River flows through after it crosses the Utah border. It’s the quintessential desert river trip: beautiful scenery, challenging whitewater, abandoned outlaw hideouts, and absolute solitude.