Exploring Western Utah: Salt Flats, Hot Springs & Waterfalls
Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Utah is packed with incredible landscapes, hidden gems, and rugged adventures. No matter how many times we visit, there’s always something new to explore.
On this trip, we focused on some of the state’s lesser-known highlights—starting with a night at the Bonneville Salt Flats, soaking in Meadow Hot Springs, catching a sunset in Capitol Reef, camping in Grand Staircase-Escalante, and hiking Kanarra Falls before wrapping up in Zion National Park.
If you’re looking for a road trip with unique scenery, great hikes, and remote camping, this itinerary has you covered.
Sunrise at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
Bonneville Salt Flats
📍 Location: West of Salt Lake City, near Wendover
🚗 Best Way to Visit: Take I-80 and exit at the Bonneville Speedway access road
🌅 When to Go: Sunset and sunrise offer the best light for photos
When hauling the trailer, we usually kick-off and wrap up our trips with long travel days—14+ hours on the road to dive straight into the adventure. Luckily, Aspen and River are fantastic travellers and happily tag along without the need for screens (seriously, they’re troopers!).
After a day and a half of driving, we finally reached the Bonneville Salt Flats—a vast, white expanse stretching as far as the eye can see. We camped nearby on BLM land, giving us the opportunity to experience both sunset and sunrise over the flats. Both were spectacular, but if I had to choose, I’d say sunset was the winner—pure magic.
Reflection on Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
📸 Photo Tip: Find a section of undisturbed salt for reflection shots—especially after rain!
We set up the tripod and self timer to get some couples shots in the water while Aspen watched from the shore.
Meadow Hot Springs
After leaving the salt flats, we stopped at Meadow Hot Springs for a soak. The warm, crystal-clear water felt amazing after a long drive.
These pools sit in an open field, so be prepared for wind—both times we’ve visited, the gusts were strong. This time, we camped nearby, and the trailer shook all night from the wind.
📍 Location: Meadow, Utah (south of Fillmore)
♨️ Hot Spring Details:
Three pools with varying depths and temperatures
The clearest and warmest pool is the deepest (~38°C / 100°F)
Located on private land, but open to the public (donations encouraged)
Meadow Hot Spring, Utah
Sunset at Meadow Hotspring, Utah
📸 Photo Tip: The main hot spring looks incredible when steam rises on a cool morning.
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park
From Meadow Hot Springs, we continued toward Capitol Reef National Park—one of Utah’s Mighty Five but often overlooked compared to Zion and Bryce. Capitol Reef is packed with unique rock formations, scenic drives, and quiet trails.
This time around we didn’t have much time to spare so it was just a quick drive through the park, but if you’re looking for things to do and see in Capitol Reef, check out our full blog here.
Sunset from Panorama Point in Capitol Reef National Park
✨ Favourite Moment: Watching the sunset from Panorama Point. The entire landscape lit up in shades of red and gold. If you only have time for one stop, make it this one!
Grand Staircase-Escalante
Grand Staircase-Escalante
After catching sunset at Capitol Reef, we drove into Grand Staircase-Escalante in the dark and used iOverlander to find a camping spot. Setting up with only headlamps, we noticed deep ditches on either side of the trailer but didn’t think much of it.
In the morning, we realized those “ditches” were actually 100+ metre drops into a canyon. Oops 😬😬😬
Grand Staircase-Escalante
Kanarra Falls
The next morning, we tackled Kanarra Falls, one of the most fun and scenic hikes of the trip.
Here’s what to expect:
Start on a dry trail leading toward the canyon—stay right at the first split.
Enter the narrows, where the real fun begins. Expect to wade through ankle-to-knee-deep water.
Reach the first waterfall and climb the ladder (the ladder has been replaced in recent years and is now much better than the first time I went in 2018).
Continue through more narrows before reaching the second waterfall, which requires scrambling up a log with footholds.
Turn around at the top or explore further before heading back.
Kanarra Falls, Utah
📍 Location: Kanarraville, Utah
🎟️ Permits: Required! Limited to 150 hikers per day—reserve online in advance.
💰 Cost: $15 per person
🚶 Distance: 7 km (4.4 miles) round trip
Kanarra Creek Falls, Utah
Tips for Kanarra Falls:
✅ Be prepared to get wet. You’ll cross the creek multiple times.
✅ The water is cold year-round. Even in summer, it’s chilly.
✅ Wear hiking sandals. This makes switching between water and dry sections easier.
✅ The canyon is shaded. It gets cold, so bring warm layers.
📸 Photo Tip: The first waterfall is a must!
Zion National Park
Next Stop: Zion National Park
After Kanarra Falls, we headed for our final destination—Zion National Park. Check out our Zion blog, where we break down our experience there!
Interested in the Ultimate Utah Road Trip?
Check out our complete Utah Guide and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!
