By Air

Regional airlines connect Salt Lake City with other communities in the state. Regular scheduled flights link to Vernal, St. George, and Cedar City. The cost per mile of these short hops is high, but you’ll often have excellent views.

By Train

Amtrak can get you to Price, Helper, Provo, and Salt Lake City, but that’s about all. Public transportation to other points of interest, such as the national parks, is notably absent.

By Bus

There’s Greyhound bus service along Utah’s interstate highways and U.S. 6 (between Green River and Provo), but these routes really don’t get you close to the sorts of sights that most people come to Utah to see. The Wasatch Front area (from Provo to Ogden and from Salt Lake City out to Tooele) is served by Utah Transit Authority (UTA), a regional bus company with excellent service. Park City and other Salt Lake City ski areas are accessible via a number of ski-bus operations, some of which pick up at the airport.

By Car

Public transportation serves cities and some towns but very few of the scenic, historic, and recreational areas. Unless you’re on a tour, you really need your own transportation. Cars are easily rented in any large town, though Salt Lake City offers by far the greatest selection. Four-wheel drive vehicles can be rented, too, and will be very handy if you plan extensive travel on back roads.

Most tourist offices carry the Utah road map published by the Utah Department of Transportation; it’s one of the best available and is free.

By Bicycle

Touring on a bicycle is to be fully alive to the land, skies, sounds, plants, and birds of Utah. The experience of gliding across the desert or topping out on a mountain pass goes beyond words. Some effort, a lightweight touring or mountain bike, touring gear, and awareness of what’s going on around you are all that’s needed. Start with short rides if you’re new to bicycle touring, then work up to longer cross-country trips. By learning to maintain and repair your steed, you’ll seldom have trouble on the road. An extra-low gear of 30 inches or less takes the strain out of long mountain grades. Utah has almost every kind of terrain and road condition imaginable; mountain bicyclists find the Moab area in the southeast especially challenging and scenic. Note that designated wilderness areas are closed to cycling.

© W.C. McRae and Judy Jewell from Moon Utah, 8th Edition