There are many places only a few hours away from BYU campus that students can explore over a long weekend. Most students have heard of and maybe even visited Zion National Park or Moab, but there are other interesting places. A few adventurous students shared some of their favorite places to go over long weekends.
Bryce Canyon
The Natural Bridge at Bryce Canyon National Park. (Photo courtesy Diana Robinson via Creative Commons)
'Bryce Canyon is a nice change from Zion National Park. Don’t get me wrong, I love Zion's, but Bryce has some amazing hikes that you can’t experience at Zion. It's also not as crowded. The hikes start from the edge and go in and out of the canyon, so you get all of the views. The elevation is insane but so worth it. I saw some of the most amazing hoodoos at the bottom of the canyon. Even if you want to just drive by cool views, the ones right off the road are breathtaking. Bryce is perfect if you want good hikes and small crowds. And did I mention the hoodoos?' Carly Gorman, a junior from Silverdale, Washington, said.
Havasupai
Havasupai is located up a 10-mile hike in the Grand Canyon. (Photo courtesy Trail Sherpa via Creative Commons)
'Havasupai is a truly magical place. After a 10-mile hike into the Grand Canyon and along the bed of the canyon, you reach a Native American reservation where you feel like you're in another country. From there, you continue to the falls, where the water is bright green and blue with a gorgeous backdrop of red rock. In addition to the many waterfalls to see and swimming in the pools beneath them, backpackers can make camp along the river between falls. The water is so clear and blue, it seems like a tropical oasis. I've traveled to many places and been on many awe-inspiring hikes, but I still consider Havasupai to be one of the most beautiful and magnificent places I have ever seen. It's well worth the travel time,' said Alex Nilsson, a senior from Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Hanksville, Utah
Henry Mountains as seen from the entrance of Capitol Reef National Park. The park is one of the many scenic areas near Hanksville, Utah. (Photo courtesy Ken Lund via Creative Commons)
Hanksville is 'a cool destination that I have gone to on a long weekend. ... I went there to go dirt biking. That place is insane for people that love dirt biking,' Jason Facer, a junior from Santa Maria, California, said.
The town of Hanksville is surrounded by many natural wonders such as Capitol Reef National Park, Goblin Valley and the Mars Desert Research Station.
The Bonneville Salt Flats
The Salt Flats near Salt Lake City. (Photo courtesy David Guthrie via Creative Commons)
'I like the Salt Flats because it is a very different and unique place to go on an adventure with some good friends. You can race old cars and then have a huge bonfire with food and music. The Salt Flats really make an awesome trip over a long weekend,' said Sam McKendrick, a junior from Lakeland, Florida.