When to Go

In eastern Utah most museums, parks, and other sights extend their hours during the summer season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. (Some museums and parks are open only in summer.) Summer also brings art festivals, rodeos, pioneer reenactments, and other celebrations. Of course, it's also the hottest period of the year, when temperatures can reach 100°F, so it's an ideal time for rafting trips down the Green River or boating on the region's reservoirs. Spring and autumn are cooler and less crowded, therefore nicer for hiking or biking, but you'll miss out on some of the festivities. Some campgrounds are open year-round, but the drinking water is usually turned off after Labor Day, so bring your own. In winter you can cross-country ski or snowshoe on many of the hiking trails; maps are available at local visitor centers.