3 Exciting Activities to do in Deer Creek State Park, Utah

Deer Creek State Park is located in the beautiful Heber Valley in Utah. This park offers lots of great water activities, activities for those who prefer to stay on the land, and activities for the more adventurous, who enjoy having their feet off the ground and in the air.

Deer Creek Reservoir was constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation in the late 1930s. Construction was completed in 1955, and the Provo River Water Users Association agreed to oversee the maintenance and operation of the reservoir. During this time, water sports were not allowed on the lake, which was mostly used for fishing. In early 1971, the responsibility for recreational use on the reservoir and its adjoining state lands was given to the division of Parks and Recreation. Parks and Recreation established Deer Creek State Park and opened the lake for other recreational uses. The park’s elevation is 5,400 feet.

The reservoir has a surface area of 2,965 acres, is about six miles long, its maximum depth is 137 feet, and the minimum depth is 65 feet. It is surrounded by 18 miles of shoreline.

Water-Based Activities

Deer Creek State Park offers lots of water-based activities. In addition to outstanding fishing opportunities, Deer Creek State Park offers windsurfing, kayaking, waterskiing, boating, wave running, swimming, and sailing. Park facilities also include two boat launching ramps.

Maybe you’ve seen kiteboards on the water, using the wind’s power to fly through the air, and would like to try it. Now you can with the help of Uinta Kiting lessons on the Deer Creek Reservoir. Uinta Kiting is Utah’s only Kiteboarding School permitted to teach in Deer Creek State Park. Their kiteboarding lessons focus on safety, learning, and fun. They use the safest current equipment in the sport. They offer private lessons so you can build your confidence and move at your own pace. Their lessons are available for beginner, intermediate, or advanced kiteboarders.

Deer Creek Island Resort is located beneath glorious Mount Timpanogos on Deer Creek Reservoir. This resort will cater to all your water activity needs. They offer rentals of paddleboards, jetskis, boats, and other water-related accessories.

Deer Creek Island Resort also offers wakeboard lessons.

Hiking, Biking & More

Deer Creek Trail is 8.03 miles long and located on the western hillside above Deer Creek Reservoir. It is part of the Provo-Jordan Parkway Trail. No motorized traffic is allowed on this trail. It is designed for bikers, equestrians, and hikers. The trail also provides entrance to the western side of Deer Creek for fisherman walking in from nearby locations.

Deer Creek Trail offers a great hike on Utah’s hills and mountains. Be sure to wear durable shoes or hiking boots. As you hike the trail, you are likely to encounter some of Utah’s wildlife. Utah is home to more than 600 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.

Deer Creek Trail has two trailheads: Soldier Hollow Trailhead which is located at Soldier Hollow; and Deer Creek Trailhead which is located along U.S. 189, south of the Deer Creek Dam. There is no trespassing within 1500 feet of the dam.

Dogs are not allowed on Deer Creek Trail because Deer Creek is a major source of drinking water for Salt Lake City and other Wasatch Front communities. Water owners want to do everything they can to protect the quality of the drinking water. Therefore, dogs are not permitted on the trail, on boats, in the water, on the beaches, or below the high water mark.

Deer Creek State Park also offers a 75-unit campground with modern restrooms and showers, fish-cleaning stations, and paved parking area. At night you can look up into the dark sky and marvel at the vast array of stars.

If you have an interest in history, Wasatch Mountain State Park, also located in the Heber Valley, was once the home of Swiss immigrants, Johannes and Maria Huber. You can visit the Huber Orchard to learn something about pioneer family life. Between 1871 and 1880, the Hubers raised a large family in a small cabin and kept a productive apple orchard. You can visit their cabin and see some of the items Maria made, such as her tatting (delicate handmade lace), and some of the tools she used, like her butter mold and precious silverware.

Ziplining

For the more daring, adventurous, extreme-sports enthusiasts who like their fun in the air, located at the Rainbow Bay entrance to Deer Creek State Park you will find the longest zip line in the world! Zipline Utah also includes a challenge and rope course. Zipline Utah offers several record-setting courses, like the Screaming Falcon, which is a nearly 4,000-foot zip line over Rainbow Bay, making it the longest zip line ride over a body of water. The Screaming Falcon course also has 10 zip lines and 7 aerial suspension bridges, totaling over two miles of fun. There are also over 400 stairs. This course is for those who are physically fit and enjoy a challenge.

If you don’t think you’re up for the challenge of the Screaming Falcon, Zipline Utah offers five different tours, and four of them start on an 80-foot tower. Each and every one of these tours offer some great views, and there is a shorter course for those who aren’t up for the Screaming Falcon or who are new to ziplining.

No matter if you’re a fisherman, camper, hiker, water activities enthusiast, history buff, or daredevil Deer Creek State Park, Utah has something for you and your family. Spend your days exploring, getting wet, flying over Rainbow Bay, hiking, or learning. Then spend your nights relaxing, cooking over a campfire, or gazing up at the stars. Come and experience Deer Creek State Park.

8 Best Antique Stores in Northern Utah

When people are traveling, they are always on the lookout for a gift to bring home to their families, friends, or significant others. It can be hard to find something that is cool and unique. Who wants to buy a generic item for someone they care about? You're in luck! Utah is a haven for awesome, one-of-a-kind antique stores. These stores are fantastic when it comes to finding something special to give to those back home. There are a lot of them, but here are a few that you absolutely must visit.

Cat’s Cradle Antiques

Cat’s Cradle Antiques is located in Provo and is a great place to find funky holiday items, antique dolls, and jewelry. They also specialize in decorations for your home, and it is a treasure trove for things you will never see in your friends' houses. The owners are really nice and knowledgeable about all the things they have. They always give fair prices, which is a huge plus. Make sure you check out the upstairs section—it's where they store all of their most valuable and eccentric stuff.

Capital City Antique Mall

Capital City Antique Mall is located in Salt Lake City and specializes in furniture and some other home decorations. They have a wide selection of pieces that will bring soul to your house and give it that “homey” feel. The store has a great clock selection, from cuckoos to bronze statue ones. They also have a ton of old typewriters, dial telephones (yes, those were a thing once), and televisions. Check out their table and chair collection from the 50s and 60s!

Fairy House Vintage Antiques & Art 

Located just off 400 North, this adorable little shop is tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. They carry antique books, dishes, and furnishings, including some home-crafted pieces. This little place is worth a visit, and not many people know about it due to its location.

B. Ashworth's Rare Books & Collectibles

Though not technically an antique store, who doesn't love the smell and feel of old books? Located at 55 N University Ave in Provo, this place has books and collectibles to browse through. The age of these things is irreplaceable, and even if you can't afford what's in here, it's worth seeing. Breathing book-laden air probably increases intelligence (although not yet scientifically proven).

Rosebud Antiques

Rosebud Antiques is located in Pleasant Grove, which is about 20 minutes north of Provo. It is in the heart of the downtown area, so it is a great place to stop. They specialize in home décor at really affordable prices. They have an exceptional collection of gorgeous chandeliers, and who doesn’t need one of these in their house? It is the place to go if you are redecorating or need a remarkable piece to spruce things up.

Decades Vintage Clothing

Decades Vintage Clothing is located in Salt Lake City, and you guessed it, it specializes in vintage clothing. This one is a must for the fashion lover and unconventional dresser. The staff could not be friendlier and will always give you the best advice on what articles of clothing to buy! They have clothes from every decade, so it will definitely be a pleaser for anyone from any generation.  From art-deco dressed to crazy Hawaiian shirts from the 80s, Decades has got you covered! The space is really well organized so it's a breeze to find what you may be looking for.

The Planted Earth Floral

The Planted Earth Floral is located in Orem, just north of Provo. This is the store that has everything you could imagine—you name it, they have it. They carry vintage clothes, jewelry, and an assortment of other antiques. This place is cool because they also specialize in antique beads and flowers. The beads make a great gift, as they come in a variety of wears. Their floral department has been a local favorite for over 40 years, so you know that you can trust them with your arrangements.

Abby’s Antique Mall

Abby’s Antique Mall is located in Ogden, just under 40 miles north of Salt Lake City. This great antique store that has over 30 years of history. The owners traveled around the country collecting a heap of unique items and vintage pieces to put into their store. They also have vendors who come and show of their own goods. You can find so many different things here because of this. They have a parking lot which is RV friendly, so if you are traveling, you have no excuse not to visit Abby’s!


Utah is home to so many different antique stores that it is almost impossible to list them all! The above stores, though, are some of the best that there are and deserve a visit! So if you find yourself in the Beehive State, you have to check out these vintage shops!

7 Off-Road Trails in Utah You Need to Try This Year

Utah, simply put, is easily one of the most naturally gorgeous places in the whole of the United States. Home to numerous state and national parks, Utah is one of the most popular places among tourists for camping, hiking and any other variety of outdoor activities. From Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks to Bear Lake and Deer Creek State Parks, there is something to suit everybody’s needs. There is almost every type of geography to be found as well, like deserts and forests, which makes Utah an outstanding place for the off-road enthusiast. There are a seemingly endless number of possible trails one can take, so the average person might feel kind of overwhelmed at the prospect of picking any. If you're struggling to pick an off-road trail, take a look at this list.

Poison Spider Mesa Trail

Let’s start off with one of the most challenging trails that there is in Utah: The Poison Spider Mesa is a really hard trail and is not for the beginner off-roader. So beware and know your skill level! The trail is almost 14 miles long and is one of the most popular ones out there, and this makes it very heavily trafficked, adding to the difficulty as you must maneuver safely amongst other vehicles. The terrain is very rocky with large ledges, but you will be rewarded with beautiful scenery. There is plenty to see along the ride, like a river, a small arch, and a beautiful view of the Moab. It is a great year-round trail, but spring and fall tend to be the best times to visit.

The Maze Trail

The Maze OHV Trail is located near Sand Hollow State Park and is a pretty technical/tricky trail. The trail is around 11.5 miles and will put your off-roading skills to the test. It is not particularly trafficked, so it can be a good place if you are trying to push yourself a little bit. There are some pretty steep cliffs and many ascents and descents. There is a beautiful lake which enhances the view of the vast desert.

Chicken Corners Trail

The Chicken Corners Trail is a heavily trafficked trail just outside of the Moab. The trail itself is rather extensive, coming in at just shy of 42 miles! It is a moderately difficult trail, which makes it a great place for the average off-roader. The scenery is incredible, as you get to see so much on the long drive through the Hurrah Pass. There are tons of wildflowers and a creek inside Kane Canyon. It is pretty popular with other off-road vehicles, like ATVs and dirt bikes, if that is a concern to you. It also happens to have a view of where they filmed “Thelma and Louise.”

Milt’s Mile Trail

Milt’s Mile was created by a local 4x4 shop owner, so it is a pretty unique trail as it was handcrafted with every detail in mind. The creator and various others also help to maintain the trail, updating it every so often to make it even more attractive. The trail is about 6.5 miles of slick rock and sandy canyon bottoms. It is very close to Zion National Park, which you can see in the background, and this gives the trail a very distinctive atmosphere. It is mostly downhill and is a moderate level of difficulty.

Fins & Things Trail

The Fins & Things Trail is located right by Moab. It has a moderate level of difficulty and is a closed-loop trail. It is not too heavily trafficked and runs about 10 miles, start to finish. It is accessible year-round and is used almost exclusively for off-roading. This all makes it an excellent trail for those medium-skilled drivers. There are some pretty steep climbs, which is what the trail is best known for. Just be aware that there is a small fee to enter.

Long Canyon Road Trail

Long Canyon road Trail is 15 miles of an easy-going gravel path, so this is a great trail for all levels of off-roaders, especially beginners. It is considered a shortcut by locals, as it eases the drive back from some famous parks in the area. The scenery is some of the best you can get. You drive right through a canyon and a gorgeous river. The trail is open all year and is heavily trafficked. Something to keep in mind is that when it rains heavily, the trail becomes pretty difficult to navigate.

Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail

The Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail is an absolute must on your off-roading trip in Utah. It is one of the most popular trails for off-roading in all of Utah, and for good reason. This does mean that the trail is very heavily trafficked, but don’t let this deter you from going. It is one of the shortest trails in the state, coming in at just 0.7 miles, so it only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. The scenery, though, makes it worth the trip. You get to see exactly what you picture when you think of Utah. The Delicate Arch and many red rocks and canyons are right in your view, truly breathtaking! The trail is rated as very easy, so anyone can take it on.


Utah is a state for people who love the outdoors. It is an off-roader's paradise, with so many different terrains for every kind of skill level. The many parks make it a great destination. If you haven’t been off-roading in Utah, what are you waiting for?

7 Romantic places to Visit with your Loved One in the Utah Valley

From the scenery of watching the sunset over the valley to the great local services and shops available, there are countless things to do that will make your trip together one to remember. When dating or just having a romantic trip together, you want places that are memorable, unique, and beautiful. From bed and breakfasts to cafes, museums, and spas you are sure to find something special to do in the Utah Valley. Compiled here are 7 of the best romantic winter destinations that you can enjoy while visiting Utah while it's cold out.

1. The Noorda Center for Performing Arts

Any university you visit in the country will have amazing attractions to see. UVU opened a new center for the performing arts offering plays, dance, and musical programs that are sure to wow and amaze. Not only is this facility used for dance and theatrics, but it also regularly hosts the Utah Symphony, which is a great romantic night out for you and your loved one. Located near campus where there are many other things to see within walking distance makes it easy to see a performance at the center and get a great meal or a romantic walk around one of the parks dotting the campus perimeter. The Noorda Center for Performing Arts is truly a great place to go as a couple. Don't miss it!

2. Hines Mansion and Bed and Breakfast

This historic Victorian home has been retrofitted into a charming bed and breakfast. The Victorian decor of the rooms creates a luxurious, cozy atmosphere sure to kindle (or rekindle) the warm flame of romance. To top it all off, the rooms come fitted with two-person jacuzzis and themed furnishings. The breakfast itself is rated highly by guests, and with its central location to all the amenities of downtown Provo, you need only travel a little way to get to all the exciting things that this community offers. Try something different from the big box hotels! Give this lovely B&B a try.

3. Taste

Taste is a great place for a couple to spend a few hours of their day. Offering some of the very best dessert and fine foods, you are sure to find what you are craving here. Walk-in or call ahead to make a reservation. Try the fondue for two and the sampler plates. This is a popular destination for locals as well, and many people will point you in this direction for good fine food. Aside from the food and treats offered, most of their chocolate selection is made in house and they also take special orders.

4. Provo Beach

Want to take a break from the stereotypical romantic flowers, dinners, and such? Try the laser tag at Provo Beach, teaming up as a couple, or going toe to toe with your significant other. For other activities that will release your inner child, try their croquet course, bowling alley, or arcade games. For those more adventurous, try surfing on their indoor flow-rider, or climb through their ropes course. Cap it off with amazing burgers at 7 Brothers Burgers, directly adjoining Provo Beach.

5. Springville Museum of Art

Hosting paintings and other works from local and more recognized artists, the Springville Museum could be a great stop for you and your loved one. The art is inspiring, and architecture is unique. This is a great stop on your trip and easy on your wallet as the entry is entirely free. There are quite a few things to see in the museum, so plan accordingly. Make sure to see their kinetic water sculpture! If you are planning to read in detail every item in the museum, it can take two-plus hours.

6. Provo City Center Temple

The Provo Tabernacle was built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1898, and was the center of many cultural events in the past. When the Tabernacle burned down, the Church rebuilt the historic structure, converting it into a temple, a sacred place for members of the faith to worship God and to be married "for time and all eternity." On a romantic trip or date with that special someone, you can walk the beautiful grounds, see the Christus statue in the visitors center, and admire the stunning architecture. Come see this serene oasis in downtown Provo. You'll be glad you did.

7. The Shops at Riverwoods

At the Riverwoods, there are many romantic things to do and see. Sumptuous dining experiences can be found around every corner, from every corner of the world, including Asian, African, Mexican, and Hawaiian themed restaurants. Browse the local shops and boutiques. Plan accordingly, as this venture can take a bit to complete since there is so much to see and to do.


There are many different things that you can do together to make your visit one to remember. Utah Valley offers so much to do that it cannot be summarized; however, this list should give you a few starting points. From there, walk around and see all the small shops and corners that make Utah the vibrant community it is.