Discover even more fun and exciting outdoor adventures in locations bordering the great state of Utah. Utah Outdoor Activities has a mission to continue to provide a resource of outdoor activities that will allow families to plan their next outdoor adventure. While discovering and exploring Utah, many more locations in neighboring states have been visited, explored, and documented as well. Beyond Utah has been created as a new resource to share these locations. We hope you enjoy this new resource of outdoor information!
American Fossil Dig Site (Kemmerer Wyoming)
Approximately 50 million years ago a large ancient lake called Fossil Lake covered a portion of southwestern Wyoming, eastern Utah, and southwestern Idaho. Fossil Lake was home to many different species of fish, snails, reptiles, insects, plants, and mammals. When Fossil Lake begun to dry up many different species of animals and plant life laid to rest on the bottom of the lake and were covered with sediment, preserving them for millions of years.
Valley of Fire (Nevada)
In this beyond Utah adventure we visit Nevada’s oldest state park the Valley of Fire. This 40,000 acre park is home to beautiful red Aztec sandstone outcrops nestled in gray and tan limestone that were formed by ancient sand dunes dating back to the Jurassic period. The Basketmaker culture were the first people to occupy this area some 2,500 years ago. The remnants of these occupations can be seen through the many petrogyphs located throughout the park. Visitors at the park can enjoy many outdoor activities such as hiking, sightseeing, camping, and if you are lucky views of the resident big horn sheep.
Bloomington Lake (Idaho)
A visit to Bear Lake, of course, would never be complete without enjoying the white sandy beaches or taking a swim in the Caribbean blue waters. But have you wondered what other amazing outdoor activities await you in the mountains surrounding Bear Lake? What if you could take a short 10 minute stroll through beautiful wild flowers, only to discover a hidden gem that few visitors to Bear Lake even know about? Well you can because just across the Utah border is the small city of Bloomington, Idaho which is the home of Bloomington Canyon.
Bear Lake Hot Springs (Idaho)
When we think of Bear Lake the first thing that comes to mind is the blue Caribbean like waters, soft white sandy beaches, boating, and of course raspberry days. Last summer while enjoying the Bear Lake activities such as playing in the water, on the beach, and of course soaking up some sun, we discovered the Bear Lake Hot Springs. The Bear Lake Hot Springs is a hidden gem located at the Northeast corner of Bear Lake, Idaho.
Lava Hot Springs (Idaho)
Although not in Utah, Lava Hot Springs is one of my favorite destinations to visit year-around. The town of Lava offers many year-around activities and fun for the whole family. The Lava Hot Spring Vacation Resort offers five outdoor pools for soaking. The natural hot springs feed the pools with 2.5 million gallons of water per day, keeping the pools fresh, clean and ever changing. The water is laden with minerals, but has no sulfur and therefore no bad odor. Temperatures range from 102 degrees to 112 degrees.The resort offers modern facilities, clean dressing rooms, and the floors are even heated so your feet never get cold even on the coldest of nights.
Minnetonka Cave
A visit to Bear Lake is just not complete without dipping your toes in the soft sandy beaches, taking a swim in the crystal blue water, and of course enjoying a fresh raspberry shake. Most people who visit Bear Lake and enjoy this beautiful natural wonder spend most of their time taking part in the many water activities. But did you know there is another amazing natural wonder just 15 minutes from Garden City Utah? Located in the beautiful St. Charles Canyon is the Minnetonka Cave. This beautiful cave offers a half-mile of fascinating stalactites, stalagmites, and banded travertine in nine rooms. The cave retains a constant temperature of 40 degrees year around making it a great place to get out of the hot summer sun, while still enjoying a fun and exciting activity.
Paris Ice Cave
Located just 20 miles from Garden City, Utah is Paris, Idaho and the beautiful Paris Canyon. This canyon offers primitive camping opportunities, hiking, ATV trails, and a unique geological location called the Paris Ice Cave. The cave gets its name “Ice Cave” because the ice never melts, even in the hottest of summers. Water and runoff descends from the surrounding hills into the cave, creating the ice formations. The recommended time to visit is late summer and early fall when the water dries out, making exploration of the cave easier.
Tubing the Portneuf River Lava Hot Springs
Visiting Lava Hot Springs in the winter months has become sort of an annual tradition. The relaxation of soaking in one of many hot springs as a light snow is falling from the sky is a uniquely enjoyable experience. Each winter we always talk about coming back in the summer months to tube down the Portneuf River that flows through the town of Lava. Now, we have witnessed the polar plunge during Lava’s fire and ice festival and floating on the Portneuf River looked fun, but not fun enough to brave the frigid cold waters in February.