Exploring Utah by Train, Boat, or Hot Air Balloon
Just south of Salt Lake City, the Heber Valley Railroad invites travelers to step back in time aboard a historic steam train. This scenic railway winds through the lush landscape of the Heber Valley, about 45 minutes southeast of the capital, tracing a route that offers sweeping views of the Wasatch Mountains and the verdant Provo River. The journey lasts roughly an hour and a half each way, passing through tunnels carved into the rock and alongside fields dotted with wildflowers in spring. The railroad’s vintage cars and authentic steam locomotive provide a tactile connection to early 20th-century rail travel, making this a unique way to appreciate Utah’s natural beauty and industrial heritage. Autumn, with its fiery foliage, is especially magical here, as the landscape bursts into color framed by the crisp mountain air.
Farther south, near Moab and about a four-hour drive from Salt Lake City, the Colorado River offers a waterborne perspective unlike any other in the state. Launching from the town’s lively riverside, guided rafting tours glide past the towering red sandstone cliffs of the famed Canyonlands National Park. These trips navigate a section of the river known as the Westwater Canyon, renowned for its exhilarating rapids and dramatic geology. Paddling through this rugged terrain reveals expansive views into the deep canyons and slot formations carved over millennia, punctuated by native wildlife like bald eagles and desert bighorn sheep. Spring and early summer are ideal for rafting when river flows peak, but fall provides calmer waters and a palette of warm colors reflecting off the canyon walls.
For a skyward adventure near St. George, the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve stretches over 60,000 acres of protected desert habitat about 10 miles north of the city. It’s here that hot air balloon rides offer a serene and surreal experience, lifting visitors above the ochre sandstone cliffs, juniper-studded plateaus, and expansive sagebrush flats. Flying in the early morning, when the air is calm and the desert is cool, reveals a patchwork of shadows and sunlit canyons that can’t be seen from the ground. The views encompass not just the Reserve but also the distant peaks of the Pine Valley Mountains and the red rock formations that characterize southern Utah. This peaceful ascent offers a rare chance to witness the delicate balance of desert ecosystems from a silent, floating vantage point.
Back north near Ogden, the historic Union Station anchors the Ogden Union Station Museum Complex, roughly 40 minutes north of Salt Lake City. The station itself, a beautifully preserved early 20th-century building, celebrates Utah’s rich railroading history. Visitors can explore exhibits on the Transcontinental Railroad, which famously connected the nation at Promontory Summit, about an hour northwest, changing travel and commerce forever. The station’s interactive displays and vintage railcars bring to life the era when steam engines roared through the region. The nearby Ogden River Parkway, a gentle riverside trail, complements the visit with opportunities for biking or a stroll that highlights the city’s transformation from a rail hub to a vibrant urban center. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather for wandering both indoors and out.
On the western edge of the state, around 30 minutes east of Salt Lake City, Great Salt Lake Marina serves as a gateway for watercraft exploring the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. While the lake’s buoyant waters are too salty for typical freshwater fish, they support brine shrimp and migratory bird populations, making a boat excursion here a wildlife-rich experience. Kayaking or sailing across the shimmering surface provides views of the distant Oquirrh Mountains and the lake’s unique islands, like Antelope Island, known for its bison herds. The lake’s reflective surface at sunset creates mesmerizing photographic opportunities, especially in late summer when the heat produces dramatic mirages. Though swimming is an unusual experience due to the salty water’s density, boating is a refreshing way to connect with one of Utah’s most distinctive natural wonders.
Closer to the red rock country, the historic town of Green River, about two and a half hours southeast of Salt Lake City, is a launching point for river trips and offers its own charming rail history. The Green River Depot, a restored train station, stands as a reminder of the town’s role as a railroad junction and a gateway for explorers of the nearby San Rafael Swell. From here, visitors can embark on guided boat tours down the Green River, where the landscape transforms into a quieter, less crowded counterpart to the Colorado. The river meanders through towering cliffs and hoodoos, inviting contemplation of the vast geologic history etched into the stone. Spring and fall again make for the best conditions, with mild temperatures and vibrant desert blooms enhancing the journey’s beauty.
Finally, over in Park City, about 35 minutes east of Salt Lake City, the historic mining town offers another aerial experience—not by balloon but by a scenic chairlift that soars over the slopes in summer and winter alike. While not a hot air balloon ride, the chairlift at the Park City Mountain Resort grants panoramic views of the surrounding Wasatch Range, which can inspire those who dream of floating quietly above the peaks. After a day of alpine hiking along trails like the Mid-Mountain Trail, visitors can enjoy the town’s lively Main Street, with its preserved 19th-century buildings and vibrant art galleries. This blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage makes Park City an inviting destination year-round, especially during the golden hours of late afternoon when the mountains glow warmly against the sky.