Things to do / Travel Guide
Visitors to southern Utah can experience the natural beauty of the region from countless different perspectives: from the air, at high speeds, or dangling off a cliff. Whether it's floating overhead on a hot air balloon or hurtling towards the earth on a skydive, there is an adventure to satiate every appetite. Those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground won't miss out either. Four-wheeling their way across the canyons, visitors will discover even more of the region's natural charms.
Hot Air Balloon Rides in Southern Utah
Hot air balloon rides are a popular option for adventure-seekers looking for spectacular aerial views of the southern Utah region. Several companies in the St. George, Moab, and Bryce Canyon areas offer aerial adventures to groups of two-12 people that will surely get your adrenaline pumping. The Sky Fest in Cedar City in September features plenty of hot air balloon riding opportunities, a yearly highlight for the activity.
Skydiving in Southern Utah
The thrill of the skydiving experience is reinforced by the absolutely breathtaking views of the southern Utah region. The region is beautiful from the ground, so just imagine the scenery from 14,000 feet above sea level. Preparation usually takes only about 30 minutes to an hour on the ground, and the thrill of freefalling at 125 miles per hour into the red rock canyon territory is like nothing else in the world.
Note that it is illegal to land a parachute on National Park service property in the region, so while there are not actually drop sites in the National Parks, plenty of companies fly their planes over the parks before the dive. Skydiving companies' planes depart from regional airports, such as in Hurricane and Moab. As long as the weather allows it, skydiving is available all year round in the southern Utah region.
Jeep and ATV Tours in Southern Utah
Jeeps, four-wheel-drive All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), baby hummers, and dune buggies give visitors to the southern Utah region the opportunity to get down and dirty in the backcountry. Year-round guided and unguided trips take visitors on adventurous rides that promise breathtaking views overlooking Moab, St. George, the Pine Valley Mountains, the plateaus of Zion National Park, and the Arizona Strip. Hummer and tomcat safaris offer an off-road experience over a few hours or a whole day, and can range from mild to wild based on your adventure preference. The Moab and Canyonlands National Park areas are the best-known four-wheeling locations in the region, but excellent sites are located throughout the region. Dune buggies provide thrills in Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.
Bungee Jumping in Southern Utah
For the bold and brave, several bungee jumping companies or clubs offer jump points at canyon bridges throughout the southern Utah region. The White Canyon Bridge in White Canyon, Canyonlands, is a 300-foot bridge jump, and Escalante hosts its own 220-foot cliff jump. Several bridges over Lake Powell offer shorter drops at 100-250 feet, certainly still a thrill. Most of the companies are not actually based in the region, but offer bungee excursions and trips to the region's bridges or cliffs. Visitors interested in scheduling a jump should call ahead to check that an excursion to the region is planned.
Other Airborne Excursions in Southern Utah
For those who want the flying experience, but with a little more control than freefalling, a powered parachute training center is located on Sky Trails Ranch with flights departing from the St. George/Hurricane area. The powered parachute experience provides the sensation of flying in an ultra-light aircraft vehicle that travels “slow and low” at 28 miles per hour. Flights usually depart on Saturdays but can be scheduled any day of the week for groups of 3 or more.
Various private companies offer tours of the region from the air, on small aircraft or by helicopter. Trips range from half-hour flights over single attractions to three-hour loops over Zion and Bryce National Parks, the Grand Canyon, and Lake Powell. Flights leave from small regional airports in St. George, Cedar City, Hurricane, and Moab.
Moab, Zion, Bryce, Arches National Parks in Southern Utah and the Arizona Strip
Adventure-Travel
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