Southern Utah is a truly beautiful place. One in which you can truly find some of the most beautiful historical landmarks with rich history behind them.
Many of these landmarks happen to be a part of national parks, something Utah is incredibly well known for. So you can make a day trip out of visiting a beautiful park or monument while also getting to know a bit of history of the area.
Even a week’s worth of trying to visit all of Southern Utah’s beautiful historical landmarks wouldn’t be enough time to truly take in all of the beauty and history the area has to offer.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of just a few of the best historical landmarks in Southern Utah to visit, amongst the countless others.
Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument
A gorgeous national monument meant to protect the Grand Staircase, Kaiparowits Plateau, and the Canyons of the Escalante in Southern Utah.
A gorgeous monument which stretches throughout several cities and is slightly larger than the state of Delaware, it’s encompassed by many surrounding rivers and other national parks.
With many trails in the area to bike or walk, this makes the perfect place for a day trip, especially for how large it truly is. You can also drive through the monument, although staying on the path is recommended.
With several different rock formations made up of an expanse of colors, but mainly orange, reds, and browns, trekking through this beautiful sprawling park makes for an adventure.
With narrow canyons, towering rock walls, gorgeous grottoes, and much more, you’ll be in awe at all of the beauty and rich history that is stored in the countless years these rocks have been around.
Monument Valley - Navajo Tribal Park
Right on the Utah-Arizona border, Monument Valley is more out of the way than potentially other landmarks in the area.
As it is remote, you will need to spend an overnight trip in the valley and a native in the area to give you a tour, as this is what will make the trip the most worth it.
Near the Four Corners region, made up of gorgeous sandstone formations, Monument Valley is part of the Navajo Nation and the drive through the valley has been called the most scenic in America by many.
With red monolith rock monuments standing at over 1,000 feet tall towering from all ends of the valley, it is no wonder why the journey is seen as scenic as it is.
The Navajo tour operators will drive you through the valley in jeeps, narrating the history of the area as you can see the world-famous panorama of the Mitten buttes and Merrick Butte.
Utah State Capitol
Straying away from the breathtaking national park monuments of the Southern Utah area and delving into even more history, there on a hill overlooking downtown Salt Lake City is the Utah State Capitol building.
Architecturally elegant and beautiful, the building stands tall and proud on 40 acres of sprawling, gorgeously maintained grounds with vibrant flowerbeds and manicured lawns.
There are the gardens which feature plants native to Utah, as well as a Vietnam Memorial on the west grounds, and the Mormon Battalion to the east.
Built in 1912-1916, the building itself is a sight to behold, with the Supreme Court on the east end and the House of Representatives on the west.
An incredible place to visit with the entire family or friends, this gives you a true look into the history and future of Utah.
Posted by David Ellis on
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