Highest-rated free things to do in Utah by visitors

Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.

Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Utah.

From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Utah using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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1 / 30

#30. Ensign Peak Park

- Rating: 4.6/5 (287 reviews)
- City: Salt Lake City
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2 / 30

#29. Moonscape Overlook

- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- City: Hanksville
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3 / 30

#28. Castle Valley

- Rating: 4.7/5 (330 reviews)
- City: Moab
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4 / 30

#27. Salt Lake City Public Library

- Rating: 4.6/5 (489 reviews)
- City: Salt Lake City
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5 / 30

#26. Red Canyon

- Rating: 4.7/5 (797 reviews)
- City: Panguitch
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6 / 30

#25. Scenic Byway of Highway 128

- Rating: 4.8/5 (226 reviews)
- City: not available
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7 / 30

#24. Hill Aerospace Museum

- Rating: 4.7/5 (736 reviews)
- City: Ogden
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8 / 30

#23. Thunder Junction All Abilities Park

- Rating: 4.9/5 (112 reviews)
- City: St George
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#22. St. George Temple & Visitors' Center

- Rating: 4.7/5 (927 reviews)
- City: St George
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10 / 30

#21. Moki Dugway

- Rating: 4.8/5 (387 reviews)
- City: not available
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11 / 30

#20. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument

- Rating: 4.8/5 (407 reviews)
- City: Escalante
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#19. Cathedral of the Madeleine

- Rating: 4.7/5 (506 reviews)
- City: Salt Lake City
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#18. Scenic Byway 12

- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,193 reviews)
- City: Escalante
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#17. Park City Main Street Historic District

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,449 reviews)
- City: Park City
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#16. Bridal Veil Falls

- Rating: 4.5/5 (532 reviews)
- City: Provo
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16 / 30

#15. Salt Lake Utah Temple

- Rating: 4.4/5 (1,640 reviews)
- City: Salt Lake City
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#14. Utah State Capitol

- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,590 reviews)
- City: Salt Lake City
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#13. Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway

- Rating: 4.7/5 (506 reviews)
- City: Park City
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#12. Corona Arch Trail

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,044 reviews)
- City: Moab
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20 / 30

#11. Potash Road

- Rating: 4.5/5 (798 reviews)
- City: Moab
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21 / 30

#10. Valley of the Gods

- Rating: 4.7/5 (648 reviews)
- City: Mexican Hat
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#9. Pioneer Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (553 reviews)
- City: St George
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#8. Red Hills Desert Garden

- Rating: 4.8/5 (421 reviews)
- City: St George
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#7. City Creek Center

- Rating: 4.5/5 (669 reviews)
- City: Salt Lake City
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#6. Bonneville Salt Flats

- Rating: 4.5/5 (640 reviews)
- City: Wendover
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#5. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,538 reviews)
- City: Kanab
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#4. Salt Lake Tabernacle

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,365 reviews)
- City: Salt Lake City
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#3. Forrest Gump Point

- Rating: 4.6/5 (630 reviews)
- City: Mexican Hat
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#2. Temple Square

- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,075 reviews)
- City: Salt Lake City
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#1. Big Cottonwood Canyon

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,175 reviews)
- City: Salt Lake City
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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