SALT LAKE CITY — Visitation to Utah's state parks dropped a little in 2022, much like the state's national parks. But that doesn't mean parks weren't busy. A tick under 10 million people visited ...

Like the final scramble up a talus field, the view for Utah’s hikers is improving bit by bit. Most Utah state parks open to residents of all counties. By Julie Jag | April 26, ...

Utah is one of just 15 states allowing camping in its state parks, according to the camping website Campendium. Of the six states that border Utah, only Arizona is also welcoming campers.

A bison wanders around near a road at Antelope Island State Park on Aug. 12, 2023. The park was one of Utah's most-visited parks again in 2023.

In recent years, the Utah State Parks system said visitation has been growing. But the COVID-19 pandemic made it surge as people got out and rediscovered the outdoors.

Utah's state parks remained open to visitors throughout the spring and summer despite widespread COVID-19 closures, resulting in significantly higher visitation numbers than in recent years.

Don't cancel that camping trip just yet: Utah, Arizona, and Colorado state governments will foot the bill to keep some national parks open — and tourist dollars flowing — during the shutdown.