What’s New in Utah: “Dream now, travel later”
Utah Shoots for the Sky & Reaches 21 in ’21!
Utah is home to more internationally accredited dark sky parks and communities than any other place on earth, and has just added three more designations to the list achieving 21 to launch the new year 2021. The new additions include: Jordanelle, Kodachrome Basin and Rockport State Parks. This makes Utah the ideal location for avid stargazers to virtually explore the night sky during Global Astronomy Month in April, including International Dark Sky Week from April 5-12, 2021. Astronomy activities Canadians can do from home can be found here and a detailed list of Utah’s designated dark skies can be found here.
Utah Movie Milestones in 2021
As we all dream of the ultimate road trip we plan to take once possible, it is only fitting that one of the most legendary road trip movies, Thelma & Louise, was filmed in Utah and celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2021. Did you know? The epic final scene where the duo drive off a cliff was shot at Utah’s Dead Horse Point State Park. Home to the Sundance Film Festival (being held virtually for U.S. viewers this year), Utah is a fitting filming location with its Mighty 5® national parks and other-worldly landscapes forming the backdrop to over 900 movies and TV series. As Canadians are continually looking for content to stream as we stay close to home, a list of famous films made in Utah can be found here and a list of those films celebrating milestone “film-verseries” in 2021 can be found here.
Are We There Yet?
And speaking of road trips, “Are we there yet?” is the phrase immortalized coming from the backseat on any family road trip, but – with a new year before us and vaccinations under way – it also doubles as an expression of our collective feelings as we contemplate the end of the pandemic. While Canadians “dream now and travel later,” it is an ideal time to plan the ultimate road trip through Utah to take once it is safe to do so. The Utah Office of Tourism has developed a number of suggested itineraries for future visitors of every interest to follow here. Travellers can plan to explore Utah’s Mighty 5® national parks, 44 state parks, 27 U.S. scenic byways and 58 U.S. scenic backways as well as discover “What Lies Between.”
New U.S. President to Proclaim National Park Week
Every Spring, the United States celebrates its national parks, including Utah’s Mighty 5® national parks, during National Park Week. Fun fact! National Park Week is recognized by a presidential proclamation so stay tuned for this year’s official announcement from newly inaugurated President Joe Biden. Scheduled for April 7-25, 2021, National Park Week typically centres around designated free entrance days, but much of the special programming will take place digitally for all visitors to enjoy from home and will be continually added here. As December marks the start of the ideal season to visit the national parks in Southern Utah, Canadians will likely (hopefully!) have the opportunity to visit the Mighty 5® in-person by year’s end.
