Memorial Day Weekend is an ideal time to travel for outdoor recreation in Utah, and all other western states. The weather is perfect this time of year, even in the desert. The destination options are unlimited in Utah and adjoining states, but here are are few of my favorite locales to visit over the long holiday weekend.
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson, Wyoming is an obvious spot for Memorial Day Weekend travelers. The town is iconic, the Teton Mountains are incomparable, and two National Parks – Grand Teton and Yellowstone, are a short drive away from town. Camping options are everywhere, both in the parks and on Forest Service land, and you can still find deals on hotel rooms in Jackson if you’re savvy.
Hike Jenny Lake Trail to Inspiration Point
An easy but still challenging hike in Grand Teton National Park is the Jenny Lake Trail. While you can circumnavigate the whole lake for a long hike, or take a boat across the lake for a short jaunt, I like to split the difference and hike from the trailhead halfway around the lake to Inspiration Point. For a detailed list of all Jenny Lake District trails, go to the NPS website.
Sun Valley, Idaho
Another iconic ski town that’s also a sweet spot for Memorial Day Weekend shenanigans is Sun Valley, Idaho. Mountain biking is world class around the towns of Ketchum and Hailey, and hiking the lower elevations (still a lot fo snow this time of year higher up) of the Sawtooth and White Cloud Mountains are an unforgettable experience.
Mountain bike Fisher Creek
This world-famous trail takes mountain bikers through scenic terrain, including long-abandoned log cabins, a huge burned forest left bare and charred from a wildfire years ago, and lush woods filled with evergreens and wildflowers. But the smooth, buttery singletrack is the main draw here. Check out my trip report from 2015 when my buddy and I encountered a bear on the trail.
Fruita, Colorado
Just beyond Utah’s eastern border is a mountain bike-centric town that has been competing with the likes of Moab and Hurricane. Fruita, Colorado is lousy with desert singletrack, and Memorial Day Weekend usually means milder temperatures for exploring the trails before summer’s intense heat descends upon the Grand Valley. Be sure to eat at the Hot Tomato for the best pizza around, with New Belgium beer on tap.
Mountain bike The Ribbon in Grand Junction
Just east of Fruita is the city of Grand Junction. The Lunch Loops are a popular area for mountain bikers, and if you’ve had your fill of singletrack, check out The Ribbon. This slice of slickrock is a geologic wonder and you’ll also wonder when it will end because this smooth rock ramp just keeps going… and going… and going. Best to do it as a shuttle ride to fully enjoy what may be the most intriguing descent in the area.
Southwestern Utah
Zion National Park is the crown jewel of southwestern Utah. As a result, the crowds are unbearable over Memorial Day Weekend. But instead of waiting in line within the park, check out some hikes in the surrounding areas instead. The Utah Office of Tourism put together a list of hikes you can enjoy just a few miles away from Zion, but without the crowds. Below are their recommendations:
Near Springdale and Zion National Park (south entrance)
These hikes provide spectacular scenic views of Zion National Park’s majestic cliffs and are close to hotels and restaurants in Springdale.
- Chinle Trail: views of the West Temple, Mount Kinesava, Towers of the Virgin, Sundial and the spires of Eagle Crags. An out-and-back trail allows you to tailor the distance of the hike to suit your group’s needs.
- Coal Pits Wash: 5.6 miles round-trip (to junction with Chinle trail), moderate difficulty – Trail follows a long wash adjacent to a reliable stream dotted with waterfalls and adjacent to tall cliffs within Zion National Park. Access from Highway 9.
- Northgate Peaks Trail on Kolob Reservoir Road: this family-friendly, out-and-back hike follows a gradual path through tall ponderosa pines to an overlook at 2.2 miles. Hike is higher elevation and cooler during mid-day than hikes in the main valley.
- Eagle Crags: 5 miles round-trip, moderate difficulty – Accessed through the town of Rockville via an unpaved road, this hike provides spectacular views into Zion Canyon amid a pristine high-desert setting.
East Side of Zion National Park
Higher elevation, cooler temperatures and fewer visitors creates an appealing alternative to the valley floor.
- Observation Point & Cable Mountain: Approximately 6 miles round-trip, moderate difficulty. Accessed through Zion Ponderosa Resort, these two hikes, lead to spectacular views at the rim of Zion Canyon. Trail details and information at the Zion Ponderosa Resort.
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – Before Zion’s cliffs were stone, they were magnificent sand dunes, of the color and texture found here. Explore the dunes, on foot, ATV or look out over the ever-changing formations from the ADA accessible overlook platform.
Within 60-90 minutes of Zion National Park
A spectacular array of remarkable parks, trails and unforgettable landscapes surrounds Zion National Park. Here are three remarkable parks to explore.
- Cedar Breaks National Monument: High-elevation plateau with views into stunning amphitheater reminiscent of Bryce Canyon NP. Renowned for their starry skies, Cedar Breaks will offer a ranger-led dark skies party every Saturday from May 27-August 12, 2017 at 8:30 p.m. at Point Supreme.
- Brian Head Resort: A short distance from Cedar Breaks, Brian Head resort offers mountain biking and hiking trails with several viewpoints looking into Cedar Breaks.
- Snow Canyon State Park – Sheer Navajo sandstone cliffs, like those found in Zion National Park, and volcanic intrusions set the landscape for Snow Canyon’s many trails and scenic drives. Many options for hiking, scrambling and rock climbing.