Explore Utah

Adventures in Utah’s Great Basin Territory

Utah’s Great Basin is a vast region with rugged landscapes, rich history, and diverse outdoor adventures. Whether you’re exploring ghost towns, vast desert plains, or lush wilderness areas, this area offers a unique mix of adventure, history, and natural beauty. Here’s a guide to the top adventures in Juab, Millard, Beaver, and Tooele Counties.

Juab County Adventures

 

Top Adventures

  • Little Sahara Recreation: A desert oasis for off-road enthusiasts, Little Sahara is one of Utah’s premier destinations for ATV riding and dune bashing. With over 60,000 acres of shifting dunes, it’s the perfect playground for adventurers who love speeding over golden sands. Hiking and sandboarding are also popular here, making it a versatile destination for outdoor fun.
  • Mount Nebo Wilderness: For hikers and nature lovers, Mount Nebo offers some of the most breathtaking views in Utah. Mount Nebo, the highest peak in the Wasatch Range, is a challenging yet rewarding hike. The area is also perfect for camping, wildlife viewing, and photography.
  • Historic Tintic Mining District: Step back in time and explore the abandoned mines and historic ghost towns of the Tintic Mining District. Located around Eureka, this area was once a booming silver mining hub. The Tintic Mining Museum in Eureka provides a fascinating insight into the region’s mining history and heritage.
  • Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge: This remote desert oasis is home to thousands of migratory birds, making it a haven for birdwatchers and nature photographers. The refuge offers peaceful landscapes for hiking, wildlife observation, and photography of the scenic wetlands surrounded by desert.
  • Yuba State Park: Yuba State Park, located on the shores of Yuba Reservoir, offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The area is great for water sports in the summer and offers excellent camping spots for a weekend getaway.

Places to Stay

 

Guiding Services

  • Little Sahara Recreation Guided Tours: ATV and sandboarding adventures on the dunes with experienced guides.
  • Nebo Outdoor Adventures: Specializes in guided hiking tours of Mount Nebo and other Juab County trails.

Millard County Adventures

 

Top Adventures

  • Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum: Located in Fillmore, Utah’s oldest government building was once intended to be the state’s capital. The Territorial Statehouse offers a glimpse into Utah’s early territorial history with exhibits and artifacts from the pioneer era. It’s a great cultural stop on any adventure itinerary.
  • Cove Fort: Cove Fort is a well-preserved historic fort that served as a waystation for travelers in the 1800s. Take a guided tour of this unique stone fort to learn about pioneer life and its vital role in Utah’s history.
  • Topaz Relocation Camp: History buffs will find the Topaz Relocation Camp a sobering and educational stop. This World War II Japanese internment camp site offers a museum and memorial to honor those who were held there, providing a deep insight into this chapter of American history.
  • Clear Lake Waterfowl Management Area: Clear Lake is a popular spot for birdwatching, especially during migration seasons. With thousands of waterfowl species passing through, it’s a serene and fascinating destination for nature lovers.

 

Places to Stay

 

Guiding Services

Beaver County Adventures

 

Top Adventures

  • Eagle Point Ski Resort: For winter sports enthusiasts, Eagle Point Ski Resort offers some of Utah’s best skiing and snowboarding. Nestled in the Tushar Mountains, the resort provides fantastic slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, as well as stunning mountain vistas.
  • Frisco Ghost Town: Once a bustling silver mining town, Frisco is now one of Utah’s most famous ghost towns. Explore the eerie remains of the town’s old buildings and mines while imagining the bustling activity that once filled these now-abandoned streets.
  • Minersville Reservoir: Minersville Reservoir is an excellent destination for boating, fishing, and camping. Known for its clear waters and abundant fish populations, it’s perfect for anglers looking to catch trout and bass, while campers can enjoy the quiet, scenic surroundings.
  • Puffer Lake: Puffer Lake is a hidden gem for outdoor recreation in the summer and fall. Located near Eagle Point, it’s ideal for fishing, kayaking, and peaceful lakeside picnics, offering a great escape into the serene mountain landscape.

 

Best Places to Stay

  • Eagle Point Resort: Stay at Eagle Point Ski Resort, which has cozy cabins and lodges perfect for skiing and summer mountain activities.
  • Quality Inn: Located near Minersville Reservoir, providing easy access to fishing and outdoor activities.

 

Best Guiding Services

Tooele County Adventures

 

Top Adventures

  • Bonneville Salt Flats: One of the most iconic landscapes in Utah, the Bonneville Salt Flats stretch for miles, creating a surreal, otherworldly experience. Famous for its land speed records, the flats are also a popular destination for photographers and anyone looking to experience the vastness of this natural wonder.
  • Bonneville Speedway: For motorsport enthusiasts, the Bonneville Speedway on the Salt Flats is a must-visit. Speed Week, held annually, attracts racers worldwide hoping to set new land speed records. Even outside Speed Week, the flats are a great place to experience high-speed driving.
  • Deseret Peak Wilderness Area: For those seeking solitude and rugged beauty, the Deseret Peak Wilderness Area offers some of the best hiking and backpacking in the region. With challenging trails that lead to breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, it’s a haven for outdoor adventurers.
  • Simpson Springs & Old Pony Express Route: Travel back in time by following the historic Old Pony Express and Stage Route through Tooele County. Simpson Springs served as a vital stop on this route, and today, visitors can explore the remnants of the Pony Express Station while learning about the hardships early riders faced.
  • Ghost Towns & Wild Horses: Tooele County has several fascinating ghost towns, including Ophir and Gold Hill. Explore the abandoned buildings and learn about their mining history. If you’re lucky, you may also spot some of Utah’s wild horses roaming the desert plains, adding to the wild and untamed feel of the region.

 

Places to Stay

  • Comfort Inn & Suites Tooele: Near the Bonneville Salt Flats and Deseret Peak, ideal for those looking to explore Tooele’s unique landscapes.
  • Best Western Inn: Central location for easy access to Simpson Springs, ghost towns, and the Bonneville Speedway.

Plan Your Great Basin Adventure

Whether hiking through the vast wilderness of the Deseret Peak, exploring ghost towns, or speeding across the Salt Flats, Utah’s Great Basin offers a wealth of diverse adventures. From the historic to the thrilling, the rugged landscapes of Juab, Millard, Beaver, and Tooele Counties promise unforgettable experiences for every type of adventurer. Explore, discover, and immerse yourself in the vast beauty of Utah’s Great Basin!