More Than a Hunt: Things to Do in Utah Before or After Your SD Outfitters Adventure
A trip to Utah doesn’t have to begin and end with the hunt.
When you make the trip to hunt with SD Outfitters, you’re already in one of the most beautiful and diverse corners of the West. From the mountains and open country surrounding Duchesne to the incredible scenery, fishing, history, and outdoor recreation throughout northeastern Utah, there is plenty to explore before your boots hit the trail or after you’ve tagged out.
Whether you’re traveling with your hunting buddies, bringing your wife or family along, or simply want to make the most of your time in Utah, there’s plenty to do before or after your hunt.
Start Your Trip in Salt Lake City
Most of our out-of-state guests fly into Salt Lake City International Airport, making Salt Lake City an easy starting point for your Utah adventure. SLC is also an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the rest of the state.
If you have a few hours—or even a full day—before heading to Duchesne, consider exploring downtown Salt Lake City, grabbing a great meal, or taking a scenic drive into the Wasatch Mountains.
A few easy stops:
Temple Square and downtown Salt Lake City
Bonneville Salt Flats — If you have a little more time, the Salt Flats are worth the drive. The endless white landscape makes for some incredible photos and is one of those uniquely Utah sights you won't forget.
Local restaurants and coffee shops
Even if you're only passing through, Salt Lake City is worth experiencing.
Take a Detour Through Park City
If you have an extra day before heading to Duchesne, Park City is an easy addition to the trip.
Just about 30 minutes from Salt Lake City, Park City gives you a completely different feel from the city. Walk around historic Main Street, grab a good meal, check out the shops, or just enjoy the mountain scenery.
Park City also has some pretty cool Olympic history. The area hosted events during the 2002 Winter Olympics, and Utah will be welcoming the Olympics back in 2034, with Park City expected to once again be part of the Games.
And if you're traveling with someone who isn't as excited about spending several days hunting, Park City is a pretty good way to keep everyone happy.
It's also a great place to spend the night before heading east toward Duchesne the next morning.
Salt Lake City → Park City → Duchesne
Head East Toward Duchesne
Once you're headed toward SD Outfitters, the scenery starts changing quickly. The city disappears, the roads open up, and you're surrounded by the mountains and wide-open country that make northeastern Utah such a special place.
This is where the trip starts feeling like a true Western adventure.
Depending on your schedule, consider giving yourself some extra time to explore the Uinta Basin, fish, hike, ride ATVs, take a scenic drive, or simply enjoy the quiet before your hunt begins.
And once you arrive in Duchesne, we'll take care of the rest.
Add Fishing to Your SD Outfitters Trip
We're excited to now offer fishing with SD Outfitters owner Shane Dykster as an add-on experience for our guests.
Starvation Reservoir is just a short drive from the lodge, making it an easy addition before, during or after your hunt! It's a great way to spend a day on the water, relax after a few long days in the mountains, or give the non-hunters in your group something fun to do while you're chasing the hunt.
Shane knows the area well and loves being out on the water, so if you're interested in adding a fishing day to your trip, it's a great way to experience a different side of the Duchesne area.
Want to add fishing to your trip? Contact us for pricing and more information, or ask John while you're here for your hunt.
You can hunt the mountains one day and be on the water the next. That's a pretty good Utah trip in our book.
Take a Scenic Drive Through the Mountains
If you have a little extra time, get off the main highway and explore.
The Uinta Mountains and surrounding canyons offer some spectacular scenery, especially in the fall when the aspens begin changing. The area around Indian Canyon, the Duchesne River, and the higher mountain country provides plenty of opportunities to stop, take photos, stretch your legs, and enjoy the scenery.
For those who enjoy a little adventure, the region is also known for ATV and OHV opportunities, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing.
Visit Nine Mile Canyon
History buffs should consider adding Nine Mile Canyon to their itinerary. Nine Mile Canyon is a 46-mile-long gorge in eastern Utah known as "the world's longest art gallery.” Known for its remarkable collection of prehistoric rock art, archaeological sites, and dramatic canyon scenery, Nine Mile Canyon offers a completely different perspective on the region. It’s a great option for a half-day or full-day adventure before or after your hunt.
The canyon is also part of the broader Uinta Basin area’s rich history and makes for an unforgettable scenic drive.
Extend Your Trip After the Hunt
If you've already traveled all the way to Utah, why not see more of it?
Utah is home to five national parks, collectively known as the Mighty 5:
Zion • Bryce Canyon • Capitol Reef • Arches • Canyonlands
If you've never been to Zion, put it high on your list.
Towering sandstone cliffs, narrow canyons, incredible overlooks, and some of the most recognizable scenery in the country make Zion an unforgettable way to finish a Western adventure.
For guests flying through Salt Lake City, Zion is farther south, but it can be incorporated into a longer Utah road trip.
Best for: Hiking, photography, scenic drives, family trips, and experiencing Utah's famous red-rock country.
Bryce is completely different from Zion.
Instead of towering canyon walls, you'll find thousands of orange and red hoodoos rising from the landscape. Sunrise and sunset are especially impressive, and the park is a fantastic stop for photographers and anyone who enjoys scenic overlooks without needing to spend the entire day hiking.
Best for: Sunrise, photography, easy hikes, and incredible views.
Capitol Reef National Park
If you want something a little quieter, don't overlook Capitol Reef.
It's often less crowded than Utah's other major national parks while still offering incredible cliffs, canyons, rock formations, orchards, and scenic drives.
Best for: Scenic drives, hiking, history, and a slower-paced national park experience.
Located just outside Moab, Arches is home to more than 2,000 documented natural arches, including the famous Delicate Arch.
It's an incredible place to spend a day or two after your hunt, especially if you enjoy photography, hiking, four-wheel-drive adventures, or exploring the outdoors.
Best for: Photography, hiking, off-road adventures, and iconic Utah scenery.
Canyonlands National Park
While you're in the Moab area, don't miss Canyonlands.
Massive canyons, mesas, cliffs, and views stretching for miles make this one of the most dramatic landscapes in the state. It's also a great place to slow down, take in the scenery, and experience a little more solitude.
Best for: Scenic overlooks, four-wheel-drive adventures, hiking, and big Western landscapes.
Make It a Western Vacation
One of our favorite things about hunting in Utah is that the experience doesn't have to be limited to the days you're carrying a rifle.
Bring the family. Take the scenic route. Spend an afternoon fishing. Watch the sunset over Starvation Reservoir. Explore a canyon you've never seen before.
That's what makes a hunting trip to Utah special. At SD Outfitters, we want our guests to have an experience worth remembering long after the hunt is over. The hunt may be what brings you to Duchesne, but the country, the people, and the time spent together are what make you want to come back.
Come for the hunt. Stay for the West.