Welcome to the Heart of the Intermountain West

PMAPS 2026 will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and world-class recreational, cultural, and dining experiences. September offers comfortable fall weather, clear skies, and the start of Utah’s colorful autumn season, an ideal time to explore the state’s natural beauty and vibrant city life.

Salt Lake City’s culinary scene has grown remarkably in recent years, blending Western tradition with international influences.

• Downtown Restaurants: Enjoy elevated dining at Valter’s Osteria, Finca, or Oquirrh, all within a short distance of downtown hotels.

• Casual Bites: For a quick and local favorite, try Ruth’s Diner in Emigration Canyon, The Red Iguana, famous for its award-winning mole sauces, Zest Kitchen and Bar, a delicious all-vegan, all-gluten-free local restaurant, or one of Salt Lake’s many local breweries, like Liberty Taphouse.

Salt Lake City has a lively performing arts scene centered around its downtown theater district.

• Broadway and Performing Arts: The Eccles Theater and historic Capitol Theatre host touring Broadway productions, plays, and concerts year-round.

• Comedy and Live Shows: Catch stand-up at Wiseguys Comedy Club, located in the Gateway district near downtown.

• Movies and Film: The city has both major cinemas and independent theaters such as the Broadway Centre Cinemas, known for indie and international films.

• Utah State Capitol: Perched on a hill overlooking downtown, the Capitol offers guided tours and panoramic city views, especially beautiful in the evening light.

• Museums: The Utah Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum of Utah highlight both regional art and the state’s fascinating geological and cultural history.

• Historic Sites: Explore Temple Square, home to the iconic Salt Lake Temple and beautifully landscaped grounds open to visitors year-round.

Mountain Resort Destinations Near Salt Lake City

Located about 35 miles (≈ 45 minutes) east of Salt Lake City, Park City is a vibrant mountain town known for its historic Main Street, outdoor recreation, and year-round cultural scene.

• Highlights: Shopping, dining, alpine slides, scenic chairlift rides, mountain biking, and art galleries.

• Travel Tip: Accessible via I-80 E from Salt Lake City; shuttles and rental cars are readily available.

Just a few minutes from Park City’s Main Street, Deer Valley is famous for its luxury lodges and beautifully maintained mountain trails. In September, the resort offers panoramic fall views, hiking, and fine dining at the base village.

• Distance: About 38 miles (≈ 50 minutes) from Salt Lake City.

• Highlights: Lift-served hiking and biking, outdoor concerts, gourmet restaurants, and lakeside activities.

Nestled in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta offers stunning alpine terrain just 32 miles (≈ 45 minutes) southeast of downtown Salt Lake City. Though world-renowned for winter skiing, Alta in early autumn features vivid wildflowers, crisp mountain air, and excellent hiking.

• Highlights: Scenic drives through Little Cottonwood Canyon, wildflower trails, and access to nearby Snowbird Resort.

• Travel Tip: Take I-215 E to Wasatch Boulevard, then follow UT-210 (Little Cottonwood Canyon Road).

Arches National Park 

Arches National Park lies north of Moab in southeastern Utah. Bordered by the Colorado River, it’s home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the famous Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch in Devils Garden. The park’s red-rock formations glow brilliantly at sunrise and sunset.
Location: Southeastern Utah (near Moab)
Distance from Salt Lake City: ~230 miles | ≈ 3.5–4 hours

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park is located southwest of Moab in southeastern Utah. Carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers, it features vast canyons, towering mesas, and dramatic overlooks such as Mesa Arch and the Island in the Sky district.
Location: Southeastern Utah (near Moab)
Distance from Salt Lake City: ~250 miles | ≈ 4 hours

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef sits in south-central Utah and is known for the Waterpocket Fold, a nearly 100-mile-long wrinkle in the Earth’s crust. The park combines red rock cliffs, natural bridges, and historic orchards once tended by pioneer settlers.
Location: South-central Utah
Distance from Salt Lake City: ~220 miles | ≈ 3.5–4 hours

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon, located in southern Utah, is famed for its natural amphitheaters filled with hoodoo spires, tall, thin rock formations shaped by frost and erosion. The park offers striking views, particularly at sunrise and sunset from Sunrise Point and Bryce Point.
Location: Southern Utah
Distance from Salt Lake City: ~268 miles | ≈ 4 hours

Zion National Park

Zion lies in southwestern Utah near the town of Springdale. Known for its towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and the Virgin River, it features world-famous hikes such as Angels Landing and The Narrows.
Location: Southwestern Utah
Distance from Salt Lake City: ~310 miles | ≈ 4.5–5 hours

Lake Powell

Lake Powell spans the Utah-Arizona border and is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. With its deep blue waters set against red rock cliffs, it’s popular for boating, kayaking, and exploring the nearby Antelope Canyon.
Location: Southern Utah / Northern Arizona border
Distance from Salt Lake City: ~380 miles | ≈ 6 hours

Utah’s State Parks

Beyond its iconic national parks, Utah is home to 46 state parks, each offering unique landscapes, outdoor recreation, and natural wonders. Several are located near major national parks or within a few hours’ drive of Salt Lake City.

• Goblin Valley State Park: Located between Capitol Reef and Canyonlands National Parks, Goblin Valley is famous for its otherworldly sandstone hoodoos that resemble a field of stone “goblins.” It’s a great spot for hiking, stargazing, and photography.

• Sand Hollow State Park: Near St. George in southwestern Utah, Sand Hollow combines striking red-sand dunes with a turquoise reservoir. Popular for boating, paddleboarding, and off-road recreation.

• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park: Just north of Kanab and close to Zion National Park, this park features soft coral-colored dunes formed by wind erosion from the surrounding cliffs. Ideal for hiking, dune buggies, and sunset viewing.

• Dead Horse Point State Park: Overlooking the Colorado River near Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point offers some of the most dramatic desert overlooks in Utah. It’s also a favorite movie-filming location and an International Dark Sky Park.

• Bonneville Salt Flats (Bonneville Speedway): West of Salt Lake City near Wendover, the Bonneville Salt Flats form a dazzling white plain stretching to the horizon. The site hosts the annual Bonneville Speed Week, where land-speed records are set.

Plan Your Visit

For maps, park passes, and current conditions, visit:
🔗 Utah Division of State Parks
🔗 Visit Utah – Official Tourism Site