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Best Summer Outdoor Activities in Utah
One of the best things about Utah is the exceptional access to outdoor recreation. Many of us have hiking and biking trails right outside our doors (or within a 30 minute drive of our house).
Here are a few of our favorite activities that you can do solo or bring along some family and friends! There are so many more as well, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your neighbors, or real estate agent to discuss some of their favorite summer activities as well.
Hiking
Utah is full of plentiful hiking spots. There are trails all around the state spanning from the Logan area all the way down to St. George and Kanab.
Here are a few favorite hikes from around the state:
Delicate Arch Trail – Arches National Park (Moab)
A hike to one of Utah’s most recognizable landmarks is on the bucket list for any Utah local, and for many visitors. It can be scorching hot in summer, but it is a wonderful sight once you arrive at the arch.
Mount Timpanogos – American Fork Canyon (American Fork)
There are two trails that lead to Mount Timpanogos, and the peak is the second tallest in the state. If you have time, check out Timpanogos cave while you are there.
Donut Falls Trail – Big Cottonwood Canyon (Salt Lake City)
Donut falls is a great trail for families. The trail is wide with only a slight elevation gain, making the trail perfect for all ages. This trail is particularly beautiful in mid-July and August when the wildflowers are blooming.
Mount Olympus Trail – Mount Olympus (Holladay)
This trail is more challenging than most of the others on this list due to the steep incline of the trail. Once you make it to the top, you can easily see why this is one of the most rewarding hikes in the Salt Lake valley as you are rewarded with absolutely stunning views.
Adam’s Canyon Trail – Adam’s Canyon (Layton)
Adam’s canyon brings you to a 40 ft. Tall waterfall at the end of the trail with a small pond. It is perfect for a view of the city, and a great place to take n some of the views around Holms Creek.
Armstrong Trail – Silver Star (Park City)
This trail is a perfect option as the distance of the hike can vary based on the route you take. The trail is a great option for hot summer days as it has lots of tree cover and provides great views of Park City.
Iron Mountain Trail – Iron Canyon (Park City)
Iron Mountain is a local favorite. It’s a relatively short hike, perfect for an after-work hike to clear your mind. While it is a short out and back trail, the elevation will give you a workout. The trail leads through gorgeous aspen groves, and at the top you will get a fabulous view of downtown Park City and several of the ski resorts.
Biking
Biking is another extremely popular outdoor activity in Utah. There are plentiful trails for mountain and on-road biking throughout the state. While the state is mostly known for mountain biking there is a strong road cycling culture. Just take a look to UCI-sanctioned pro cycling event the Tour of Utah.
Here are a few top choices for whichever option you prefer. As Utah is quite mountainous, this is far from being an extensive list.
Road Biking
Parowan Gap Loop – Cedar City
This is a natural mountain pass that was used by the Fremont and Anasazi Native Americans. The route is dotted with petroglyphs and leads through some classic desert landscapes.
Utah Lake – Provo/Orem
Part of this route makes up Stage 3 of the Tour of Utah, following the western shores of Utah Lake. This lake is a popular destination for locals in Utah County.
Emigration Canyon – Salt Lake City
This a very popular local ride. You ride from Salt Lake City up to a national historic landmark and back out to Salt Lake City. The route through the canyon was used by pioneers traveling into the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
Empire/Guardsman Loop – Park City
While this ride is a heart-pumping ride through steep uphill climbs, you are rewarded with some stunning views overlooking Deer Valley Resort and the canyons.
Mountain Biking
Wasatch Crest Trail – Salt Lake City
This is a singletrack snaking along the top of the Wasatch Mountain Range brings you through aspen glades and alpine meadows. There are many options to riding this trail, with point-to-point access from Guardsman Pass to Millcreek Canyon or Big Cottonwood Canyon.
Thunder Mountain Trail – Panguitch
Just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park, the Thunder Mountain trail provides a challenging ride through the stunning landscapes around Red Canyon.
Mid Mountain Trail – Park City
Mid mountain is designated as an IMBA Epic Ride. This trail covers 22 miles and 2 ski areas in the Park City areas. There are several options for accessing the trail, and once you’re there you make your way through dense patches of pine and aspen trees before racing meadows filled with wildflowers.
Swimming
Swimming is a great way to cool down on one of Utah’s hot summer days. There are plentiful swimming pools that you could enjoy, or splash pads, if you aren’t one for dipping into a pool. You could stop there, but why would you want to?
Many of Utah’s mountain lakes are watersheds that don’t allow swimming, but there are several that allow swimming and other watersports. Here are a few of the lakes, reservoirs, and natura swimming spots:
Lake Powell – Glen Canyon Recreational Area
While Lake Powell isn’t technically a lake, it is a go-to for Utah locals and tourists alike. With stunning views created by the location in the middle of Glen Canyon, Lake Powell is a great destination for swimming, houseboating, wakeboarding, fishing, kayaking, and many other water-based activities.
Lower Calf Creek Falls – Boulder
Just a short distance from the small town of Boulder, the lower falls are 130 feet high with a deep swimming hole. It takes a bit of a hike to get there, but the pool is always nice and cool.
Pineview Reservoir – Huntsville
Just 2 miles north of Huntsville, this is the summer lake you have always dreamed of. Calm waters are perfect for any of your water-based activity needs. There are both paid and free areas, as well as some great sandy beaches to relax in between your swimming sessions.
Jordanelle Reservoir – Park City/Heber City
Another of Utah’s picturesque reservoirs, this reservoir allows swimming and boating in the mountainous areas between park city and Heber.
Zip Lining
If you’re a bit of an adrenaline junkie, Zip Lining may be the option for you, bringing our aerial adventures to life. There are a few locations throughout the state where you can jump on a zip line.
ZipRider – Snowbird Resort (Near Sandy)
The ZipRider at Snowbird Resort allows you to see the beauty of the canyon in a different way as you climb to the top of the 50 foot tower then fly down the zip-line cables at 30 mph.
Zipline Utah – Heber City
Zipline Utah features a few options for traveling through the sky on a series of zip-lines and aerial bridges. Don’t forget to book an adventure down the Screaming Falcon, Zipline Utah’s longest and fastest zip line, spanning over 3900 feet and reaching speeds of 60+ mph.
Zip Line Tour at Utah Olympic Park – Park City
Featuring the option between two ziplines, the Utah Olympic Park allows you to see some of the most spectacular views of the Olympic Park. You can take a more leisurely ride, or step it up a notch with one of the steepest ziplines in the world to emulate the speed and force of a world-class ski jumper.
Raven’s Rim – Moab
Raven’s Rim offers several zipline tours and aerial bridges perfect for any adventure lover. These tours offer exclusive views of the high-deserts of southern Utah.
Paddle Boarding
Stand-Up paddle boarding (SUP) is becoming a highly popular activity in Utah. Here are a few of the best places to get started on your SUPer adventure (get it?).
Great Salt Lake – Salt Lake City
The Great Salt Lake is not a highly trafficked paddle boarding area, but it is one of the most recognizable parts of Utah as a whole. Grab your board and head out to Antelope Island to get on the lake, and enjoy the nature and the buoyancy caused by the salt water.
Oquirrh Lake – Daybreak
Paddleboarding is perfect on Oquirrh lake because of the calm and cool water. It is ideal if you live in the area, and you get fabulous views of both the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountains, making it the perfect location for a sunrise or sunset session.
Jordanelle Reservoir – Park City/Heber City
Jordanelle Reservoir is also a perfect paddleboarding location due to it’s calm waters and gorgeous scenery. If you’re an experienced paddleboarder you can leave the no-wake zone and take advantage of some of the waves that boats and other watercraft leave behind.
Utah Lake – Provo/Orem
As Utah’s largest freshwater lake, Utah Lake attracts many visitors. It has many amenities close by, and is a fabulous family destination.
Sand Hollow State Park – Hurricane
Utah’s newest state park is highly trafficked, but is an easy 15 minutes from St. George. The warm blue water and red sandstone make for an extremely picturesque experience.
Visit a National Park
Utah is home to many Nature Preserves, National Forests, and State parks, but to get the full Utah experience, you really need to visit one of Utah’s 5 national parks. They all feature magnificent red sandstone canyons and rock formations that make for a perfect photo-finish for any adventurer.
Arches – Moab
Arches National Park is full of iconic arches with over 2,000 natural stone arches to explore, like Delicate Arch-Utahns love that one so much that we put it on the license plate!
Bryce Canyon – Bryce
With many canyons, amphitheaters and bowls carved into the landscape, you can marvel at the beauty from a high plateau or hike deep into the canyon floors.
Canyonlands – Moab
Featuring countless canyons and buttes, you can see four districts divided by the Colorado and Green Rivers.
Capitol Reef – Torrey
In the heart of red rock country, this hidden treasure includes cliffs, canyons, dome, bridges and the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline that extends almost 100 miles.
Zion – Springdale
Explore the paths that Native Americans called home and where pioneers traveled to settle the west.
The Gardner Report – Utah – 2020 First Quarter
The following analysis of select counties of the Utah real estate market is provided by Windermere Real Estate Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. We hope that this information may assist you with making better-informed real estate decisions. For further information about the housing market in your area, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
A MESSAGE FROM MATTHEW GARDNER
Needless to say, any discussion about the U.S. economy, state economy, or housing markets in the first quarter of this year is almost meaningless given events surrounding the COVID-19 virus.
Although you will see below data regarding housing activity in the region, many markets came close to halting transactions in March and many remain in some level of paralysis. As such, drawing conclusions from the data is almost a futile effort. I would say, though, it is my belief that the national and state housing markets were in good shape before the virus hit and will be in good shape again, once we come out on the other side. In a similar fashion, I anticipate the national and regional economies will start to thaw, and that many of the jobs lost will return with relative speed. Of course, all of these statements are wholly dependent on the country seeing a peak in new infections in the relatively near future. I stand by my contention that the housing market will survive the current economic crisis and it is likely we will resume a more normalized pattern of home sales in the second half of the year.
HOME SALES
- In the first quarter of 2020, 6,996 homes sold, which was a solid 5.1% increase compared to the same period in 2019. Sales were down 20.2% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
- Total sales activity rose in all counties covered by this report. Year-over-year sales rose by double digits in three counties, with impressive increases in the relatively small Wasatch County.
- The number of homes for sale in the first quarter was down by 24.2% compared to the same period a year ago and was 27.2% lower than the fourth quarter of 2019. Clearly COVID-19 has had an impact on prospective home sellers.
- Pending sales in the first quarter were up 2.6% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, suggesting that buyers are still in the market even though listing inventories are very tight.
HOME PRICES
- The average home price in the region continued to rise in the first quarter, with a year-over-year increase of 10.4% to an average of $404,316. Prices were a modest 0.3% higher than in the fourth quarter of 2019.
- All counties contained in this report saw price increases compared to the same period a year ago.
- Appreciation was strongest in Wasatch County where prices were up 37.9%. However, this is a small area and can be subject to significant swings in sale prices.
- The takeaway here is that home prices continued to appreciate at considerable rates during the quarter. The big question will be whether this continues as we move through the economic slowdown created by COVID-19.
DAYS ON MARKET
- The average number of days it took to sell a home in the counties covered by this report dropped five days compared to the first quarter of 2019.
- During the first quarter of the year, it took an average of 59 days to sell a home in the region, up by 2 days when compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
- Homes sold fastest in Davis and Salt Lake counties, and slowest in Summit and Wasatch counties. That said, it took 23 fewer days to sell a home in Summit County than it did a year ago.
- Market demand appeared to remain quite robust during the first quarter of this year.
CONCLUSIONS
This speedometer reflects the state of the region’s real estate market using housing inventory, price gains, home sales, interest rates, and larger economic factors.
Given the current economic environment, I have decided to freeze the needle in place until we see
a restart in the economy. Once we have resumed “normal” economic activity, there will be a period of adjustment with regard to housing. Therefore, it is appropriate to wait until later in the year to offer my opinions about any quantitative impact the pandemic will have on the housing market.
ABOUT MATTHEW GARDNER
As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data and its impact on the real estate market on both a local and national level. Matthew has over 30 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K.
In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Matthew sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors; chairs the Board of Trustees at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington; and is an Advisory Board Member at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington where he also lectures in real estate economics.
Summer Home Maintenance: A Guide
We know it can be difficult to know when to do all of those home maintenance tasks. With summer at our heels her in Utah, here is a guide to the top home maintenance tasks to complete in summer.
- Inspect Air Conditioners – You know how hot it can get here in Utah. Perks of living in the desert, huh? Clean air conditioning filters in window units, dust off those ceiling fans, and consider a tuneup if you have central A/C.
- Check Detectors – Every few months, check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly and have batteries.
- Clean your Vents – Spring brings in allergy season, which can be rough. It can bring all of that pollen into your vents, along with the usual buildup of dust and grime. Get in there to make sure you’re getting fresh air. Don’t forget the dryer vent and exhaust duct. the lint trapped in there can be a fire hazard if not properly maintained.
- Clean the Gutters – It may not be glamorous, but it needs done. If you didn’t do this one on your spring checklist, it’s time to do it now. Clean out any leaf buildup and standing water. In the short term, these attract mosquitos and other pests. In the long term, they can damage your gutters and pull the whole system away from your house.
- Prep Water Systems – However you plan to water, figure it out and get your systems set up.
- Check Hose and Faucets – A good starting point is to check hoses and exterior faucets for any leaks. Pinhole leaks in hoses can be repaired with electrical tape.
- Plan Your Watering Schedule – Train your garden and lawn to endure dry days by watering deeply a few times per week to promote the growth of deep, strong roots.
- Test Sprinkler Systems – If you have a sprinkler system, check to make sure all of the heads are in good shape and test before you plan to water to make sure there are no leaks in the underground system.
- Check Your Deck – Examine your deck for signs of rotting and fix any nails that are pulling up, and check if you need to re-seal your deck by sprinkling water on the boards. If the water beads up, you’re fine. If it soaks right in, it’s time for a seal.
- Analyze your Roof – Utah’s ever-changing weather can be hard on your home’s head. Get up on your roof (or have someone do it for you) to check for missing and loose shingles, mold, and anything else that looks unusual. It’s better to do small repairs every summer than have to replace the whole roof.
- Spruce up the Siding – Peeling paint and chipped siding can allow all of those summertime bugs to get into your house. Walk around your house and look for any problem areas. If you clean up, paint and repair issues now, you can avoid bigger projects in the future.
- Porch Polishing – Sweep porch floors and mop floorboards with all purpose cleaner.
- Wash Windows – If you didn’t do it with your spring checklist, it’s time to do it now. Get your Windex ready.
- Landscaping – Add a layer of mulch to keep weeds down and help the ground retain it’s moisture and deadhead your annuals and perennials.
- Clean Your Grills – Everyone loves a good backyard BBQ. Make sure you’re ready by cleaning your grill before you need to use it.
- Gas Grills – Turn your heat up to high and let the grill cook with the lid closed for 30 min. Allow the grill to cool, then brush off with a grill brush. Don’t forget to clean out the drip pans.
- Charcoal Grills – Empty the grill completely and wipe off any residue. Clean inside and out with hot water and liquid dish soap and leave to air-dry completely.
- Keep the Dirt Away – Make sure to put out a doormat at all doors to make sure all that muck stays outside where it belongs.
Do you have any cleaning or maintenance tips that are prefect for summer? Share them with us in the comments below!
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At Windermere Utah, we are proud to keep you up-to-date on the latest news, events, and listings. Be sure to keep checking back in here at the blog, and don’t forget to follow us on social media.
Salt Lake Local Restaurants to Support
In these uncertain times, it is increasingly important to support small business owners. Plus, everyone still has those days when they have no desire to cook. It doesn’t matter whether there is a Stay-At-Home order or not. Luckily many of our favorite restaurants are remaining open for carry-out or delivery service.
As a reminder, ordering delivery and carry-out service is safe, as long as you follow proper precautions. There is no evidence that suggests food or food packaging being associated with COVID-19. To take extra precautions, you can wipe down food packaging, put the food on your own plate, and wash your hands thoroughly before eating to minimize risk.
Supporting these restaurants will also help these locally run and owned businesses remain open long after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.
Take a look at some of these local favorites:
The Pie Pizzeria
The Pie Pizzeria is a local favorite with locations across the Salt Lake Valley.
Many of their locations are still open, and you can call your nearest location to order pizza for delivery or curbside takeout. Visit their site to learn more.
Pig & a Jelly Jar
Pig & a Jelly Jar provides a twist on Southern comfort food with locations in Salt Lake, Holladay, and Ogden.
You can order online, and then head out to your choice of location for pickup. Another awesome addition is that you can donate money on their website to provide meals for Pig & a Jelly Jar to front line healthcare workers.
Proper Burger Co.
Proper serves classic American fare with vegan and vegetarian options available. They also have Proper Brewing Co. libations available for those who are interested.
They have their delivery and curbside menu available on their website. Online ordering is available.
Chile-Tepin
Chile-Tepin is a popular spot downtown for Mexican cuisine, named after the chile-tepin pepper, the only wild chile native to the U.S.
Chile-Tepin is open for Lunch and dinner. You can order online for pickup or delivery within 8 miles.
Sicilia Mia
Sicilia Mia is a popular locally owned and operated Italian restaurant open for lunch and dinner service.
They have online ordering available on their website.
Tsunami
Tsunami is a go-to sushi restaurant for many across the Salt Lake valley.
They are open for dinner only and have their curbside menu available on their website.
Sugarhouse BBQ
Sugarhouse BBQ offers signature style Memphis barbecue from their ideal location in the heart of Sugarhouse.
They are open for takeout and delivery and have online ordering available.
Midvale Mining Cafe
Midvale Mining company is another great spot for comfort food.
They are open for takeout orders You can find their menu on their website, with weekly specials on their Facebook page. You can call them to place an order at 801-255-5511.
Wingers
Wingers is a locally owned and operated franchise chain in the Western region. They serve classic American-style fare.
Find your closest location on their website and review their menu. Then call them to order takeout.
Spitz
Spitz serves Mediterranean street food across the American West, with 5 locally owned locations in Utah.
You can order for each location on their website for delivery and curbside takeout.
There are many more local restaurants that could use your support during these difficult times. You can find even more options over at www.supportutahdining.com.
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At Windermere Utah, we are proud to keep you up-to-date on the latest news, events, and listings. Be sure to keep checking back in here at the blog, and don’t forget to follow us on social media.
