Outdoors and Travel
Tom Wharton
RECENT POSTS
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OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Two Utah towns celebrate heritage with Memorial Day weekend festivals
Sanpete County is a fun place to visit on the Memorial Day weekend with two major heritage events taking place. The Friends of Historic Spring City will host the annual Spring City Heritage Day on May 27. And Ephraim’s annual Scandinavian Festival, billed as the West’s largest, is on Friday and Satu... Sanpete County is a fun place to visit on the Memorial Day weekend with two major heritage events taking place. The Friends of Historic Spring City wi... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
What’s the hottest fishing spot in Utah? State website guides the way
As the Memorial Day holiday approaches and anglers get excited to get out fishing, the Division of Wildlife Resources offers one of the most useful websites for Utah angling. Go to www.wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots for current, detailed fishing reports throughout the state. The site offers the latest f... As the Memorial Day holiday approaches and anglers get excited to get out fishing, the Division of Wildlife Resources offers one of the most useful we... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Aspiring paleontologists will dig this Utah museum summer program
After the “Jurassic Park” movies, many folks dream of being a paleontologist and having a chance to dig for dinosaur bones. The Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal is offering the public a chance to do just that as it sponsors a Fossil Field School from June 19 to June 23... After the “Jurassic Park” movies, many folks dream of being a paleontologist and having a chance to dig for dinosaur bones. The Utah Field House of Na... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVELUtah’s Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area earns tourism awardThe Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area will receive a Best of State Award on Wednesday at the annual gala at the Salt Palace Convention Center. The federally designated area is in central and southern Utah that includes much of U.S. 89, Utah Highway 12 and Utah State Route 24. Both Utah highways ... The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area will receive a Best of State Award on Wednesday at the annual gala at the Salt Palace Convention Center. The...
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OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Parade and hikes among events for Greyhound Gathering in Kanab
Kanab will host the 15th annual Greyhound Gathering on May 18-21. More than 250 rescued greyhounds, along with their families, will gather for what is billed as the largest event of its kind in the Western U.S. Claudia Presto, founder of Kanab’s Greyhound Gang and the event’s organizer, said that gr... Kanab will host the 15th annual Greyhound Gathering on May 18-21. More than 250 rescued greyhounds, along with their families, will gather for what is... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Take a road trip down Route 66 with two new books
In an age of sameness, many American and foreign tourists search for a more authentic, original experience. That is probably why, on a recent spring Sunday afternoon, hundreds of tourists lined the streets of tiny Seligman, Ariz., the town that is the heart of historic Route 66. Drivers riding in co... In an age of sameness, many American and foreign tourists search for a more authentic, original experience. That is probably why, on a recent spring S... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Great Salt Lake Bird Festival opens May 18
The 19th annual Great Salt Lake Bird Festival opens May 18 with free workshops, art contests, field trips and displays. Most of the events over five days, with the exception of the vendor show at the Davis County Fairgrounds in Farmington, require advance registration. There are events for birders o... The 19th annual Great Salt Lake Bird Festival opens May 18 with free workshops, art contests, field trips and displays. Most of the events over five d... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVELWeekend deal at KOA campgrounds benefits summer camp for children battling cancerLooking for a camping trip close to home that can benefit kids? The Salt Lake City KOA campground at 1400 W. North Temple is sponsoring a deal Friday and Saturday. Campers who stay as paying guests on Friday will receive another night of camping on Saturday for $10. The entire fee will be given to K... Looking for a camping trip close to home that can benefit kids? The Salt Lake City KOA campground at 1400 W. North Temple is sponsoring a deal Friday ...
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OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Amazing Earthfest in Kanab set to celebrate public lands of American West
Kanab will host its 11th annual Amazing Earthfest on May 14-20. It includes arts and culture, healthy living events, documentary film screenings, hiking, mountain biking, and lectures on science and the land. The free festival (donations appreciated) celebrates the national and state parks, national... Kanab will host its 11th annual Amazing Earthfest on May 14-20. It includes arts and culture, healthy living events, documentary film screenings, hiki... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Golden Spike celebrates the 148th joining of the rails anniversary
The Golden Spike National Historic Site west of Brigham City will host its annual reenactment of the joining of the rails Wednesday at 10 a.m. This is the 148th anniversary of the event, with festivities Wednesday running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The big event includes the re-creation of the historic “... The Golden Spike National Historic Site west of Brigham City will host its annual reenactment of the joining of the rails Wednesday at 10 a.m. This is... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVELSummer in Park City means camps for skiing, Nordic sportsYoungsters interested in working on their winter sport disciplines can begin registering online. Sports available at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City include cross country skiing, Nordic ski jumping, aerials, free skiing, bobsled and skeleton. Fundamental camps are a multisport program for ages 7 ... Youngsters interested in working on their winter sport disciplines can begin registering online. Sports available at the Utah Olympic Park in Park Cit...
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OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Grantsville girl’s family of buffleheads earns Duck Stamp prize
Sabrina Allen of Grantsville won the Best of Show award at the Utah Junior Duck Stamp Contest, and her artwork made the top 25 in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp contest. The Utah student’s entry was created in acrylic and was a depiction of buffleheads. Judges praised her painting for its high attent... Sabrina Allen of Grantsville won the Best of Show award at the Utah Junior Duck Stamp Contest, and her artwork made the top 25 in the Federal Junior D... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Archaeology events and more on tap at Frontier Homestead State Park in Cedar City
Frontier Homestead State Park in Cedar City will host its annual Utah Archaeology Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Activities include American Indian games, history, traditional crafts and demonstrations. Cost is $2 per person or $5 per family. The event kicks off a month-long series of eve... Frontier Homestead State Park in Cedar City will host its annual Utah Archaeology Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Activities include America... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Stop and explore the petroglyph wonders of Utah’s Parowan Gap
Hundreds of thousands of Utah travelers zoom past the Parowan Gap in Iron County on their way to St. George, Zion National Park, Las Vegas or Southern California. Many even look to the west off Interstate 15 at an obvious gap in an otherwise red line of mountains and figure that highway engineers bl... Hundreds of thousands of Utah travelers zoom past the Parowan Gap in Iron County on their way to St. George, Zion National Park, Las Vegas or Southern... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
State gathering comments on fall upland gaming hunt
Spring might seem a strange time to be thinking about upland game hunting in Utah, but the state will soon begin gathering input on the fall hunt. Division of Wildlife Resources biologists are proposing almost identical rules for the 2017, 2018 and 2019 hunts to those that have governed upland game ... Spring might seem a strange time to be thinking about upland game hunting in Utah, but the state will soon begin gathering input on the fall hunt. Div... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Limits eased at two Utah fisheries in advance of dam repair and restoration plans
Northeastern Utah is a bit of a drive for many Wasatch Front anglers, but fishing at places such as the Green River, Flaming Gorge Reservoir or lakes on the North Slope of the Uintas is always good. Biologists from the Division of Wildlife Resources are working to add two more excellent fisheries in... Northeastern Utah is a bit of a drive for many Wasatch Front anglers, but fishing at places such as the Green River, Flaming Gorge Reservoir or lakes ... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Chance the Rapper, Muse, Gorillaz among headliners at Life is Beautiful in Vegas in September
If you plan on traveling to Las Vegas for the fifth annual Life Is Beautiful Festival next September, it might be a good idea to begin buying tickets as early as Thursday, when they go on sale. The event, billed as an immersive celebration of music, art, food and ideas, is scheduled Sept. 22-24. Tic... If you plan on traveling to Las Vegas for the fifth annual Life Is Beautiful Festival next September, it might be a good idea to begin buying tickets ... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Tiny southern Utah town enlists artists to help preserve historic bridge
The town of Rockville has been trying to save and restore its historic bridge that spans the Virgin River. The bridge, constructed in 1924, is the only surviving Parker Through Truss bridge in Utah. It was built to help bring people to Zion National Park and, according to the town of Rockville, prov... The town of Rockville has been trying to save and restore its historic bridge that spans the Virgin River. The bridge, constructed in 1924, is the onl... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Antelope Island State Park celebrates dark sky designation
It seems amazing that a place near a major metropolitan area can qualify for dark-sky designation. But that’s exactly what Antelope Island State Park recently earned. The popular Great Salt Lake island state park, west of Layton in Davis County, was recently awarded the title of International Dark S... It seems amazing that a place near a major metropolitan area can qualify for dark-sky designation. But that’s exactly what Antelope Island State Park ... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Paris attack raises travel insurance questions
Travelers with a big trip coming up usually follow the news carefully, nervous about unforeseen events, like a terrorist attack, that might cause a postponement. That is probably the case in recent days for European-bound travelers after a shooting on Paris’ Champs-Élysées. In the case of increased ... Travelers with a big trip coming up usually follow the news carefully, nervous about unforeseen events, like a terrorist attack, that might cause a po... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVELArray of outdoor, environmental groups will join Salt Lake City March for ScienceA number of Utah outdoor organizations and environmental groups will be joining the March for Science on Saturday. The Earth Day event will begin at 3 p.m. at City Creek Park, with marchers moving on to the state Capitol. According to Great Salt Lake Audubon, the March for Science champions publicly... A number of Utah outdoor organizations and environmental groups will be joining the March for Science on Saturday. The Earth Day event will begin at 3...
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OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Experts share tips at Salt Lake seminar for catching hard-fighting tiger muskies
Tiger muskies are the largest cool-water fish in Utah and, at times, one of the most difficult to catch. That’s why the Division of Wildlife Resources is holding a free seminar Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Department of Natural Resources’ Salt Lake City office at 1596 W. North Temple. Members of the ne... Tiger muskies are the largest cool-water fish in Utah and, at times, one of the most difficult to catch. That’s why the Division of Wildlife Resources... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVELExplore the Rockies with new family friendly guide and a dog named JakeFamilies who enjoy taking their dogs on hikes and camping trips might want to check out “Jake’s Nature Guide: Rocky Mountains,” a new kid-friendly book inspired by a curious Salt Lake City canine. Author Mark Danenhauer and his family have spent years exploring the local natural world with their dog... Families who enjoy taking their dogs on hikes and camping trips might want to check out “Jake’s Nature Guide: Rocky Mountains,” a new kid-friendly boo...
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OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Celebrate Earth Day by fishing for garbage on the Provo River
Looking to do something for the environment on Earth Day? How about cleaning things up? Brighton Anglers is sponsoring the third annual Provo River Clean Up and barbecue Saturday for all ages. Meet at Vivian Park in the middle of Provo Canyon at 9 a.m. for assignments. The event will run until 3 p.m... Looking to do something for the environment on Earth Day? How about cleaning things up? Brighton Anglers is sponsoring the third annual Provo River Cl... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVELA piece of Western mining history stands tall in Utah town of EurekaEureka • Wasatch Front travelers heading to Little Sahara Sand Dunes for Easter weekend fun will likely drive past the Bullion Beck and Champion Mining Company Headframe in Eureka without realizing its history. The big frame, which measures 40 by 90 feet and is about 70 feet in height, stands on the... Eureka • Wasatch Front travelers heading to Little Sahara Sand Dunes for Easter weekend fun will likely drive past the Bullion Beck and Champion Minin...
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OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Still time for early-bird registration for National Audubon Society’s July convention in Park City
The National Audubon Society is holding its biennial convention July 14 to July 17 in Park City, with early-bird registration closing Saturday. The theme for the convention is “Elevating Audubon: America’s Most Effective Conservation Network.” Scholarships are available for those focused on saline l... The National Audubon Society is holding its biennial convention July 14 to July 17 in Park City, with early-bird registration closing Saturday. The th... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
New guide for the ‘Best Easy Day Hikes Capitol Reef National Park’
Capitol Reef National Park offers some of Utah’s best and easiest day hikes. Whether trekking to Hickman Bridge, enjoying a stroll in Capitol Gorge or climbing up to Cassidy Arch, there are numerous possibilities. For newcomers to Capitol Reef or those looking for more detail than can be found in th... Capitol Reef National Park offers some of Utah’s best and easiest day hikes. Whether trekking to Hickman Bridge, enjoying a stroll in Capitol Gorge or... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Knott’s Berry Farm’s Boomerang roller coaster soon won’t be coming back
Some classic roller coasters such as Lagoon’s venerable wooden coaster continue to thrill theme park visitors as they have for generations. Others don’t possess that kind of staying power. Take, for example, Knott’s Berry Farm’s 27-year-old Boomerang. This is a steel coaster known for taking riders ... Some classic roller coasters such as Lagoon’s venerable wooden coaster continue to thrill theme park visitors as they have for generations. Others don... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Spring fishing at Lake Powell beginning to heat up
As the weather warms, spring fishing at Lake Powell typically starts to heat up as well. According to longtime Lake Powell fishing guru Wayne Gustaveson, the best spring fishing happens when the water temperature passes the 64-degree mark for the first time. As of last week, the temperature ranged b... As the weather warms, spring fishing at Lake Powell typically starts to heat up as well. According to longtime Lake Powell fishing guru Wayne Gustaves... -
OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL
Park City Mountain Resort gets into spring spirit with Pond Skimming Contest
The 21st annual Pond Skimming Contest is a rite of spring at Park City Mountain Resort and it will take place Saturday, April 15, at noon. The competition, originally set for April 8 but rescheduled because of weather concerns, sees competitors dressed in their funkiest costumes. They try to cross a... The 21st annual Pond Skimming Contest is a rite of spring at Park City Mountain Resort and it will take place Saturday, April 15, at noon. The competi...
