Far and near — Utah offers a variety of vacation locations

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 27, 2004 | by Ray Grass Deseret Morning News

Got plans for the Memorial Day weekend? As always, some people do and some don't.

If you're in the mood for a few suggestions, here is a list of "10 Near and 10 Far" not-so-well-known places to consider for the holiday. The "10 Near" are within a day's drive of the state's main population centers, while the "10 Far" will require some travel and possibly overnight stays.

THE FAR

1. All the wonders of the 1.7-million-acre Grand Staircase National Monument have yet to be discovered. This includes areas such as the "Toad Stools," which are tall pillars holding balancing rocks, and Duck Creek Village, which is found high on Cedar Mountain and about an hour's drive from Kanab. Available on the mountain are hiking, biking and ATV trails, along with picnic and camping areas. For information visit visitsouthernutah.com.

2. For the golfers there's always St. George. While it may be busy, there should be tee times on one of the 10 courses. Reservations can be made on eight of the courses, along with lodging information, on www.redrockgolftrail.com.

3. Hovenweep National Monument, 30 minutes east of Blanding, offers a look back in time at early Anasazi or ancient Pueblo life. It has six archaeological sites, dating back some 700 years, including towers that were first identified by settlers in 1854. For information visit the Web site at www.utahscanyoncountry.com.

4. Outside Price, in Nine Mile Canyon, is one of the state's best Indian rock art exhibits, both for pictographs (painted) and petroglyphs (chipped). The art is different in that the early artists exhibited a special style that shows in greater detail human figures presented with elegant dress and accessories.

5. Vernal has one of the strongest connections to prehistoric animals in the world. The basin is one of the few places where the entire world's history is exposed, starting with the newest formations and going back to the Precambrian era, which dates, some believe, to when the world was first formed -- 4.5 billion years ago. The new Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum officially opened in the center of town on May 22. The museum is an information center for the entire region.

6. Rising from some of the most arid country within the state are the Henry Mountains, located south of Hanksville and long considered some of the most beautiful and yet most forgotten mountains in Utah. Once on top of the range there are miles of roads open for vehicles, ATVs and mountain biking. There are also excellent camping opportunities on BLM land. On the western side of the mountains roams the only free-ranging herd of buffalo in the United States.

7. Valley of the Gods has freestanding sandstone monoliths similar to those in nearby Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, but it does not have the name or the fame. The 17-mile drive over a dirt road takes travelers past some spectacular formations and views. The road starts five miles north of Mexican Hat and can be driven in a passenger vehicle.

8. San Rafael Swell, located south of Price, offers unlimited recreational opportunities. There are 13 different recognized areas, which include Goblin Valley State Park and Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, and such little-known areas as Devils Canyon, Mussentuchit Badlands and Buckhorn Wash. The Swell features spectacular beauty carved in the famous red rock of southern Utah, and yet only about 10,000 people a year actually make trips into the area. For information visit the Web site at www.blm.gov/utah/price.> 9. Highway 12, between Bryce Canyon and Boulder, offers a wide range of recreational opportunities. On the route, along with Bryce, are Kodachrome, Anasazi and Escalante Petrified Forest state parks, Calf Creek Recreational Area, as well as some spectacular views. There are town sites and accommodations along the route.

10. Kanab is a great focal point for a number of popular sites. Just 45 minutes from town is Zion National Park, 70 minutes away is Bryce, 90 minutes away is Grand Canyon and 60 minutes away is Lake Powell. Also close at hand are Cedar Breaks, Coral Pink Sand Dunes and Pipe Spring National Monument. For information visit the Web site at www.kaneutah.com.

THE NEAR

1. There will be a Mountain Man Rendezvous in Blacksmith Canyon a little southeast of Logan and about 10-15 miles up the canyon from Hyrum. On site will be a traditional camp with teepees, traders' row and people in historic dress, along with games for kids and an opportunity to sample great Dutch oven cooking. The event is free and will run Saturday through Monday. For information call 435-245-3778.

2. While in the Logan area, a short drive outside of town are the shores of the Bear River, where canoes can be rented and floated down river. A shuttle returns canoers and boats. The river features a large community of wildlife along its banks, especially lots of birds. It's possible to float all the way down to the Cutler Marsh, where the new Barrens Sanctuary, a 150-acre "Important Bird Area," was recently dedicated by the National Audubon Society.