Fun Things to Do in Utah

EDGEhomes is ready to kick off summer with some of our favorite things to do in Utah in and around Saratoga Springs, Bluffdale, Herriman, Lehi, Draper, Vineyard, and Eagle Mountain! 

From hiking in world-renowned canyons to watching your favorite movies under the stars, Utah offers plenty of fun ways to enjoy the summer. No matter your location, budget, or timetable, one of our favorites is sure to fit your bucket list. 

So, take a look and take advantage of everything the Beehive State has to offer.

Fun Summer Activities in Utah

Utah offers a never-ending list of family-friendly activities to fill up long summer days. Here are a few:

• Hiking trails near the Wasatch front
• Water parks
• Rock climbing
• Camping
• Festivals and carnivals
• Farmer’s market(s)

Saratoga Springs

Things to Do in Saratoga Springs

• Splash Days (June): A series of activities including a parade, carnival, Battle of the Bands, a car show, and more!
• Fishing and Barbeques at the Marina: Pavillions are available for reservation. Get your family outside by the water and have a blast.

Trails Nearby

• Jordan River Parkway Trail: A long paved trail that’s great for walks, runs, and bike rides.
• Lakeshore Trail: Goes along the west side of Utah Lake with north access available at Inlet Park.
• Pelican Bay Trail: On the west side of Utah Lake
• Saratoga Hot Springs Trail: Natural springs south of Inlet Park. Only the trailhead is within the City.

Things to Do Near Saratoga Springs

• Loveland Living Planet Aquarium: Offers visitors a glimpse into diverse ecosystems, featuring exhibits from the Utah desert to the depths of the ocean

Bluffdale

Things to Do in Bluffdale

• Old West Days Fair: A rodeo, parade, pickleball tournaments, chalk art, tractor show, and more!

Parks Nearby

• Independence Pickle Ball Courts: Bluffdale has plenty of pickleball options.
• Vintage Park: A splash pad and park combo that is great for year-round use.
• Independence Splash Pad: This is a newer park in the area where kids can cool off!

Things to Do Near Bluffdale

• AQUA x ZONE: Jordanelle State Park offers a unique water experience at their AQUA x ZONE Water Park. This water park is filled with inflatable water sports and is designed to allow 65 people to run, swing, swim, and enjoy at one time.
• Twilight Concert Series: Each summer, Salt Lake City puts on a series of concerts known as the Twilight Concert Series. Check out the lineup and grab your friends to enjoy good music under the summer sun.

Trails

There are no trails in the city of Bluffdale, but there are a few nearby in Draper.

• Bonneville Shoreline (Moderate): 10.4 out and back trail with wildflowers.
• Steep Mountain Park to Maple Hollow Trailhead Park (Moderate): A 3.3-mile point-to-point trail with wildflowers.

Draper

Things to Do in Draper

• Draper Days: A week-long celebration that includes a rodeo, parade, concerts, fireworks, vendors, food, rides, and more.
• Amphitheater Movie Night: What’s better than an outdoor movie under the stars in the park? Luckily, Draper offers movie-watching options at the amphitheater!

Camping Nearby

• Granite Flat Campground: Enjoy fishing, hiking, and endless forests of Douglas fir and pine trees just a short distance up the American Fork Canyon.
• Tanner’s Flat Campground: This campground is nestled on the edge of Little Cottonwood Creek in a forest of aspen, pine, oak, and maple. The campground offers an ideal base for exploring the area either by hiking, biking, or climbing.

Rock Climbing Nearby

• The Balcony: This wall is a west and south-facing granite slab that sits high on the bench in Draper above the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge.
• The Cuban Missile Tower: The Cuban Missile Tower is along the ridgeline between Big and Little Willow Canyons near 8000 feet. It is a partially unstable mass of teetering rock that will probably tumble in the next major geological event.

Parks Nearby

• Splash Park: Enjoy dumping baskets, spraying water, and more at the new splash park in Draper.
• Dayland Dog Park: Let your dog run free in a fenced-in area with built-in creeks!
• Draper City Park: This is a larger park equipped with pavilions, volleyball pits, basketball courts, playground equipment, and more.

Trails Nearby

Several trails near Draper are great for hikers, mountain bikers, runners, and more! Some of them allow you to bring your dog with you on a leash as well. 

Here are a few of the popular nearby trails: 

• Orson Smith Park to Draper Suspension Bridge Loop (Easy): 2.3 miles of wildflowers and great views.
• Bear Canyon Bridge via Bonneville Shoreline Trail (Moderate): 4.4 miles of trail that features a waterfall!
• Corner Canyon Loop (Moderate): 3.8-mile track filled with wildflowers.

Things to Do Near Draper

• SLC Farmers Market: Get some of the best grub and fresh produce in town at the Downtown Farmers Market in Salt Lake City. Runs every Saturday from June to October, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Utah State Fair: The Utah State Fair has been a Utah tradition since 1856. The fair includes everything you’d need to make your classic fair experience fun.
• Antelope Island: This island features some of the best views and wildlife in the state. You can spend a night camping along the shore of Salt Lake or take a day trip to see the fastest deer in North America (that can even outrun a cheetah).

Herriman

Things to Do in Herriman

• The Real Life UP House: There’s a real-life replica of the iconic house from the Pixar movie “Up.” 
• Fort Herriman Towne Days (June): This yearly celebration includes a parade, car show, Yeti run, and more!

Parks Nearby

Herriman is known for its amazing parks that feature unique styles and plenty of green space.

• Rosecrest Splash Pad: A splash pad complete with pavilion areas and other non-water park features.
• Arches Park: A uniquely Utah playground, pavilion, and hammock with slack line area.
• Blackridge Reservoir: A nice area to swim, cool off, and play in the sand!

Trails Nearby

There aren’t a lot of trails near Herriman, but just enough to go explore and get to know them well. A few favorites include:

• Yellow Fork Canyon Trail (Moderate): 6.8 miles with a gorgeous view at the top 
• Blackridge, Sidewinder, and Diamondback Loop (Easy): A 3.6 mile that features wildflowers
• Butterfield Canyon and Middle Canyon Road (Easy): 13.2 miles in the Oquirrh Mountains

Things to Do Near Herriman

• Lagoon Amusement Park: Lagoon is a local favorite with roller coasters, rides, and games for all-day fun.
• Utah Alpine Slide: The Park City Alpine Slide is one of the longest slides in the world, with over 3,000 feet of luge-like track.

Lehi

Things to Do in Lehi

• Thanksgiving Point: Contains the Museum of Natural Curiosity, a dinosaur museum, a massive garden, and much more! There are events outdoors throughout the year including the Day of the Dead Festival, Luminaria, Scarecrow Festival, Labor Day Luau, Tulip Festival, Christmas Lights, and more!
• Lehi Roundup Week (June): The city puts on events all week including rodeos, shows, and more.

Parks Nearby

There are many incredible parks in Lehi. Here are just a few:

• Ivory Ridge Splash Pad: Cool off at the concrete splash pad with jet streams of water that turn on and off.
• Dry Creek Park: This is a 14-acre park with paved trails and a frisbee golf course.
• Olympic Park: Connects with the Jordan River Walk/Bikeway and has volleyball pits and soccer fields.

Camping Nearby

• Little Mill Campground: Little Mill Campground, in the American Fork Canyon, has opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, and more.
• Altamont Group Campground: With room for up to 100 people, this spot welcomes the whole family together to enjoy the vibrant green forests across the impressive Wasatch Mountains.

Things to Do Near Lehi

• Sheepdog Competition: The festival also includes great food, high-flying splash dogs, exotic animal shows, and more.
• Swiss Days in Midway: Swiss Days in Midway offers a wide variety of handmade items, antiques, fine art, and great Swiss food. Between 80,000 to 100,000 people attend the festival.
• Midway Hot Springs: The Homestead Crater in Midway is one of the most unique activities Utah has to offer. Swim in a natural geothermal spring, hidden inside a limestone rock.

Eagle Mountain

Things to Do in Eagle Mountain

Trails Nearby

There are 4 popular trails in the area:

• Eagle Mountain Loop (Moderate): 5.8-mile loop that offers great views
• Golden Eagle Pass (Easy): 1-mile loop with beautiful flowers.
• Cell Towers and Rocky Balboa (Easy): 1.1 out and back for all age groups and skill levels.
• Pony Express Parkway Trail (Moderate): 10-mile hike to point trail.

Parks Nearby

• Nolan Park: Features all the amenities of a regular park, plus a splash pad for the hot summer months.
• Mountain Ranch Bike Park: 30 acres of bike park that features three jump lines, a slope-style track, a single track, a skills area with 200 yards of wood features, a teeter-totter, a pump track, a beginner trail, and an uphill trail.
• Wride Memorial Splash Pad: A splash pad park that has both non-water and water amenities.

Things to Do Near Eagle Mountain:

• Strawberry Days: Join Pleasant Grove in celebrating Strawberry Days. There are competitions, games, a parade, and more!
• Steel Days in American Fork: The community of American Fork gathers every year to celebrate Steel Days. This July festival is one you’ll want to make the drive for.

Things to Do in Vineyard

Most Vineyard locals do a lot of activities in Provo or Orem since they are so close by! But there are a few parks here in Vineyard.

Parks Nearby

• Vineyard Grove Park: This is a combination park of both regular park amenities plus a splash park for the summer days!
• Sunset Beach Park: Follow the trails along the lakefront.

Things to Do Near Vineyard

• Provo Balloon Festival: Provo’s Freedom Festival (in July) features the Balloon Festival where family and friends can witness the overpowering feeling of seeing 25 hot air balloons up close. Did we mention it’s free?
• Splash Summit Park: Splash into summer fun at Splash Summit Waterpark and Resort, with water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and more. Splash Summit has an array of water rides that’ll keep your kids going all day long.
• Mona Rope Swing: The Mona Rope Swing is another Utah gem located 45 minutes outside of Provo, Utah. Get over 15–25 feet of air on one of two different rope swing options. It’s an exciting way to spend a summer afternoon.

Trails Nearby

There aren’t many trails in the city of Vineyard, but there are a few on the edges of Orem and Provo that are close:

• Murdock Canal Trail (Easy): This is a paved trail great for running, biking, or taking kids and a stroller.
• Carterville Trail (Easy): A 1.2-mile out-and-back trail located near Provo, Utah, is suitable for all skill levels. The path is primarily used for walking, running, nature trips, and road biking and is accessible year-round.
• Lover’s Lane Trail (Easy): 3.4 miles. Located near Provo, Utah. Is suitable for all skill levels.

Camping Nearby

• Hope Campground: Located near Orem and Provo, the primitive sites at Hope Campground are nestled in the scenic Provo Canyon. It makes for a relaxing getaway where you can enjoy miles of hiking and biking trails through the quiet canyon and up the forested peaks.
• Theater-in-the-Pines Campground: The campground is just off of Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, which offers breathtaking views of mountain meadows, canyons, and forests.