<p>Since DD’s summer plan includes three weeks of classes near SLC, we figure we will go over too. We could take her out for dinner over the weekend and do some sightseeing ourself when she is in classes.</p>
<p>We have never been that part of the country and probably have 4 days to explore with a rental car.</p>
<p>Please give us some points of interest near SLC. We are more interested in the natural beauties - falls, valley, etc. I.e. Yellowstone national park could be one option. It is a little too far away so.</p>
<p>Yellowstone is worth the drive. So is Grand Teton National Park, which is right next to it. It may be too late, but try to get a reservation at Jackson Lake Lodge or Old Faithful Inn. They may have a cancellation.</p>
<p>Grand Tetons/Yellowstone parks are about 4/5 hour drive from SLC. It is possible to tour Grand Tetons in a day, but you need AT LEAST 2 full days to tour Yellowstone.
Yellowstone is huge and very crowded in the summer. Those crowds and the herds of bizons make for a very slow commute inside the park. So if you decide to go north of SLC and visit those two parks, your time limit will be over.</p>
<p>If I were you I would head south. Bryce Canyon National park is probably the most beautiful of all the parks I have visited, and I visited a lot.
[Bryce</a> Canyon National Park | Utah.com](<a href=“http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm]Bryce”>http://www.utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm)
There is a huge hotel base at the entrance to the park, you will always find accomodations. Bryce is about 5 hours away from SLC. Zion National Park is two hours from Bryce and the place of some incredible hikes. Angel’s Landing and Observation point come to mind. [Angels</a> Landing Photos - Angels Landing Pictures - Angel’s Landing photos - Angel’s Landing pictures](<a href=“Slot Online - Main Game Judi Slot Online Gacor Dan Slot88 Resmi di TOTO88JP”>Slot Online - Main Game Judi Slot Online Gacor Dan Slot88 Resmi di TOTO88JP)
If you have never visited Grand Canyon, going from Zion to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon will not take you long at all. North Rim is not as crowded as the South , more green and has a beautiful lodge.
If you are not a hiker, meaning you are not going to spend a lot of time at those parks, just a drive through, consider going to Arches National Park as well. There you simply have to make a relatively easy hike to Delicate Arch, a symbol of Utah
[Delicate</a> Arch - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delicate_Arch]Delicate”>Delicate Arch - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>If you would like to spend some time in and around SLC, make sure you visit the Temple Square, where the mormon temple is located. Being in SLC and not visiting the square is like being in Vatican and not seeing the Pope You will not be permitted to go inside, but you will familiarize yourself with a mormon history and culture. Don’t worry, they won’t try to convert you right there on the spot And if English is your second language, there will always be someone there who speaks your mother’s tongue.
Also, consider driving to Park City, about 25 minutes away, one of the hottest spots in the country for winter sports and the site of 2002 winter olympic games. Park City is an old mining town that has turned around to become a very, very expensive resort area. Main street is full of attractions.
East of SLC, on the way to Wendover/Nevada is Bonneville Speedway. If you are into breaking speed records [Usfra</a> home page](<a href=“http://www.saltflats.com/]Usfra”>http://www.saltflats.com/)</p>
<p>In Park City, go to the Olympic park. It’s costly, but you can go down the real bobsled run (concrete, no ice) with a professional driver. You go over 60 miles an hour. It’s the most expensive and most exciting minute you’ll have!! If that’s not enough, go to the Park City ski resort and do both the mountain slide and the mountain roller coaster. I’m over 50 and I wouldn’t miss that stuff, and I don’t generally like rides in amusement parks. All in a beautiful setting. Make sure to stay in Park City through dinner, as the options there are much better than Salt Lake. </p>
<p>While the national parks are nice, those suggestions are really multi-day trips. The Wasatch mountains right by SLC are quite nice. I’d pack a picnic lunch, drive into one of the canyons and find a hike and a picnic table.</p>
<p>^^You see picture postcards of people floating in the Great Salt Lake, but in real life almost no one actually does this - way too salty to be an enjoyable swim. The locals live there all their lives and never dip a toe in the lake.</p>
<p>I agree about the National Parks. Absolutely breath-taking scenery. Wonderful hiking and camping. My favorite Is Zion.</p>
I did it! We went to some state beach there and I and my family went out and floated. It’s a strange sensation to float so well. It’s not the place to go for swimming but it’s worth trying the floating.</p>
<p>I was there two summers ago. Southwest Airlines is now flying direct to SLC. I recommend taking a drive up to Pocatello, ID, I think it’s on the way to Yellowstone. It a very interesting and pretty ride. There are hot springs up near Pocatello. I think some of the other areas people recommended are on the way up there too.</p>
<p>True, but the higher elevation also makes breathing harder if you are hiking. Somewhere out there is the elevation that provides the optimal balance between sweating and breathing, but I don’t know what it is, and no doubt it moves up and down depending on the weather.</p>
<p>I thought your D was working in CA this summer…and needed a drivers license in CA. </p>
<p>I’m so confused. And good for you for being able to take vacations when your kids are in college. We haven’t had the resources to go on vacation since 2003 when our first kid started college…How do you do it?</p>
<p>T1, DD is working from mid June to end of August. Then she will take one of the sophomore college classes for 3 weeks.</p>
<p>DM, everyone gets a $900 FA for these classes, So, an intensive and all inclusive field study with backpack hiking for three week in a national park will cost ever participant about $600.</p>
<p>Zion National Park is a very fun scenic place.</p>
<p>I’ve been to the Great Salt Lake several times (both in summer and winter) and particularly interesting. The shore has receded a lot, at least on the south end, so if you visit by going out past the airport it’s a long walk from the road to the water (and you’ll pass a lot of dead birds on the way ).</p>
<p>While you’re there I would suggest visiting an Arctic Circle. The food is good, and I don’t think I’ve seen them anywhere other than Salt Lake. Crown Burger in downtown is good too.</p>
You will not be permitted to go inside, but you will familiarize yourself with a mormon history and culture. Don’t worry, they won’t try to convert you right there on the spot 
And if English is your second language, there will always be someone there who speaks your mother’s tongue.
).</p>