What is Utah Known For? 20 Things Utahns Love About Themselves

Stunning scenery combined with endless outdoor activities, low crime, and a high quality of life make Utah an underrated western treasure in America. This state has a unique history, dating back to prehistoric times, and contains swaths of protected land and national parks, perfect for outdoor adventure. Other than picturesque views and endless recreation, what is Utah known for? Discover 20 things Utahns love about their state, as well as quirks completely unique to them.

1. Breathtaking Backyard Views

If you yearn for incredible panoramic views, head to Utah! If you live in this state, you don’t have to venture far from home to experience incredible scenery. Chances are, some of the best views are right in your backyard. Rugged mountains and canyons dot the landscape, bringing a sense of wonder and majesty to the outdoors.

2. The Great Salt Lake

As one of the largest saltwater lakes in the world, the Great Salt Lake is impressive by anyone’s standards. The lake’s saline levels vary from 5% to 27%, which is two to nine times saltier than the ocean! This super salty lake is in northern Utah and boasts some of the largest population of birds on Earth.

3. Pastrami Burgers

If you’re from Utah, you’ve probably heard of a pastrami burger. If you’re not, you may be scratching your head. It’s similar to a bacon burger, but instead of bacon, it includes thin slices of delicious pastrami. After Jewish immigrants began bringing pastrami to the West Coast, Greek American John Katsanevas invented the pastrami burger and opened a restaurant in Utah. Crown Burger is a staple in the state for some of the best pastrami burgers around.

4. Mormon History

The Salt Lake Valley is where Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first built communities. Today, Mormons account for 62% of Utah’s population. However, the state is slowly becoming more diverse as an influx of people relocate for jobs and a new way of life.

5. World-Class Ski Resorts

Utah features dozens of world-class ski resorts throughout the state, many within a short drive from Salt Lake City. Park City Mountain Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in the country, featuring more than 7,000 skiable acres and 330 trails. If you’re an outdoor winter enthusiast, put Utah on your bucket list.

6. Fry Sauce

You can find the famous Utah fry sauce at almost every restaurant in the state. It’s a sweet and tangy sauce with a ketchup and mayonnaise base similar to Thousand Island. Utahns dip their French fries in it!

7. Abundant National Parks

Utah is home to five national parks – Zion, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Arches. In fact, Alaska and California are the only states with more national parks. These amazing natural areas are all in a 370-mile radius, so visiting them all in a single road trip is definitely doable! Utah also features 11 national monuments and numerous historic sites.

8. Bonneville Salt Flats and Speedway

This densely packed salt pan is in northwestern Utah and is the largest of the salt flats west of the Great Salt Lake. They are best known for the International Raceway near Wendover, Utah, a famous spot for motor sports. This site holds many land speed records and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

9. The Sundance Film Festival

The Sundance Film Festival is the largest independent film festival in the United States and typically has close to 50,000 attendees. It takes place in Park City, Utah at the Sundance Resort. The event includes private screenings, panel discussions, musical events, and glamorous parties.

10. One of the Safest States in America

Utah is the fourth-safest state in the nation. It ranks low for violent and petty crimes, making it one of the most peaceful and secure places to live in America. Lone Peak is the safest city in Utah with a violent crime rate of only 0.4 per 1,000 residents.

11. 71% of the State is Public Land

Public land is owned by the federal and state government. In Utah, public land accounts for more than 70% of the state’s total area, including national forests, parks, monuments, and wilderness areas. Needless to say, outdoor recreation is abundant in the state.

12. 2002 Winter Olympic Games

In February of 2002, Salt Lake City hosted the XIX Olympic Winter Games. It was a historic day for the state and continues to be a point of pride. Today, visitors to the area can take self-guided tours through the facility and visit the luge tracks, ski museum, and ski jump.

13. Restrictive Alcohol Laws and No Gambling

Utah has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the country. The state has a total of nine dry cities, where alcohol is not legal to sell. Everywhere else, bartenders are required to limit the amount of hard liquor in mixed drinks, and not that long ago, visitors to bars needed a private club membership to enter. Restaurant patrons can only order alcohol with food and bars can only serve alcohol during the same hours as restaurants. Along with strict alcohol laws, Utah prohibits nearly all gambling in the state, including casinos. In fact, gambling is a class B misdemeanor in the state.

14. Funeral Potatoes

If you’ve ever gone to a gathering in Utah, you may have spotted large helpings of funeral potatoes. This cheesy hashbrown casserole is the ultimate comfort food dish and Utahns love bringing it to every get-together, not just funerals.

15. Dinosaur Fossils and Other Prehistoric Discoveries

Utah has one of the most complete fossil records on Earth. The state boasts abundant early marine life, like fish, trilobites, and mollusks. But it’s most famous for its non-avian dinosaur fossils, which document the origins of many mammals. You can attribute its many fossils to the regions abundant exposed rocks.

16. Beehive Representation

Utah is the “beehive state,” named for the community’s willingness to come together and help one another. The state is home to beehive-shaped architecture and sculptures, including the Salt Lake Temple and the Beehive House.

17. Green Jell-O Salad

It’s unknown why Utahns love Jell-O so much, but this jiggly dish is the state’s official snack. Salt Lake City is the Jell-O-eating capital of America, and its residents are famous for making a peculiar green salad consisting of green-colored Jell-O, crushed pineapple, carrots, and whipped cream.

18. Snurfer Boards

The Snurfer is the original snowboard. Sherman Poppen created this contraption on Christmas Day in Utah in 1965 for his children. He bound two skis together, which allowed them to “surf” on the snow.

19. Dutch Oven

Cooking with a Dutch oven is a Utah tradition. This contraption was designated the state cooking pot in 1997, as they were a necessity for early pioneers in the state. The Dutch oven is made of cast-iron and features legs on the bottom of the pot than stand above the coals.

20. Delicate Arch

The Delicate Arch is an impressive free-standing arch- structure in Arches National Park. It stands 52 feet tall and has become a symbol of the state. Visitors to the park can hike three miles round trip to visit and take pictures of the famous arch.

Summary of What is Utah Known For? 20 Things Utahns Love About Themselves

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