The great state of Utah has plenty of fun day trip options if you're looking for something fun to do on the weekend, from national parks boasting some of the nation's most magnificent landscapes to fabulous museums, art galleries, and dining establishments. If you live in the small city of Bountiful, there are several fun activities within easy driving distance you may want to check out. Here's our guide to some of the best day trips from Bountiful, Utah.

Bear Lake State Park

Bear Lake State Park is about two hours north of Bountiful, making it a fun opportunity to drive through the best of Utah. The drive also passes through several other state parks and beautiful attractions. The park's gorgeous blue waters and sandy beaches make it an ideal destination for swimming, fishing, boating, and camping during the warmer months. Bear Lake Fun Time, the park's full-service concession operator, provides a variety of goods and services, including fast-food options, boat rentals, and well-maintained cabins. The marina is also open year-round.

Crystal Hot Springs

Located just an hour north of Bountiful in Honeyville is Crystal Hot Springs, which boasts three large hot tubs, a large soaking pool, an Olympic-sized pool, and a kid's pool area, in addition to two 365-foot water slides. The natural hot springs range from 120 to 134 degrees Fahrenheit and are perfect for Utah's bitter winter months. The water park also claims to have the highest mineral content of any hot spring in the world. Campsites are available for both RVs and traditional tent camping.

The Lava Hotel & Spa

Located approximately two hours north of Bountiful in Hot Springs, Idaho, the Lava Hotel & Spa is another ideal destination for anyone interested in soaking in a mineral hot springs pool and taking advantage of its healing properties. The hotel also contains a sun-soaked deck and newly remodeled rooms with tubs for further relaxation. Its central location means that it's in close proximity to the city's many parks, restaurants, museums, and galleries. The hotel's Lava Waffle restaurant also serves up tasty Belgian Liege waffles with a choice of toppings, making for a filling breakfast.

Dinosaur National Monument

Right on the Colorado-Utah border on the southeast side of the Uinta Mountains sits Dinosaur National Monument, one of the country's biggest and most impressive monuments. The monument contains a wealth of ancient history and breathtaking scenery. Visitors can see over 1,500 dinosaur fossils exposed on the cliff face inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall, check out several petroglyph sites, and explore the rest of the park's impressive 210,000 acres. River rafting along the Green or Yampa rivers and hiking is also available, and there are six different campsites to choose from for overnight visitors.

Park City

There's something for the whole group in Park City, Utah, which lies about an hour southeast of Bountiful. The unique blend of old and new architecture sets Park City apart from other cities in the state and acts as a reminder of the city's silver mining era. In the winter, it's an ideal destination for any and all outdoor activities, including skiing and snowboarding, fly-fishing, dog sledding, and snowmobiling. Visitors can check out the Utah Olympic Park just outside of downtown Park City to experience an adrenaline-filled day and learn more about Park City's Olympic history.

For visitors looking for something a little more relaxed, Park City offers a myriad of unique historic tours and museums, including the Park City Museum, which contains a variety of interactive exhibits and displays that showcase the city's skiing and mining history. There are also over 150 restaurants dotting the city limits, making it the perfect foodie destination. Park City additionally has a free trolley and bus system, making it easy to get around.

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Big Cottonwood Canyon is less than an hour from Bountiful and contains world-renowned ski slopes and plenty of fun places to explore in the warmer months. The 15-mile drive passes through some of Utah's finest hiking, fishing, picnicking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping areas, and it's also home to the Solitude and Brighton ski resorts, which both have full-service, year-round facilities. Brighton offers access to several lakes, including the Twin Lakes and Lake Mary, Lake Martha, and Dog Lake.

Mount Nebo Scenic Byway

Located about an hour and a half south of Bountiful, the Mount Nebo Scenic Byway stretches 35 miles and crosses through the Uinta National Forest between the cities of Nephi and Payson. It provides magnificent views of Utah's natural beauty and makes for the perfect mini road trip. A variety of overlooks and wildlife viewing opportunities are available along the paved road. A number of picnic areas, trails, fishing spots, and horseback riding areas are also available for the more adventurous. 

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Just half an hour from Bountiful in nearby Draper, Utah, is the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, perfect for day-trippers looking for a fun, educational indoor activity. The public aquarium is home to over 4,500 animals, representing 550 different species. It contains five major exhibits and houses many unique sea creatures, including a gray reef shark, a giant Pacific octopus, a giant shovelnose ray, and a green sea turtle.

The special penguin area is also a popular exhibit, and many exhibits allow visitors to get up close to the animals and go on interactive adventures. Loveland Living Planet has a range of seasonal activities and also offers a variety of outreach programs. Events and outdoor exhibits are contingent upon the weather.

These are just a few of the exciting day trip ideas for Bountiful residents to consider. Do you have a favorite day trip destination that we didn't mention here? Contact our team at Bountiful Mazda, and we'll consider adding it to the list. Looking for a reliable vehicle for your next-day trip? Feel free to visit our dealership or call our sales team at 801-397-2277, and we'll let you know what we have in our new or used inventory. We'll even help you schedule a test drive so you can see for yourself which vehicle is right for you.