Best Things to Do in Utah When It’s Too Hot Outside

When the temperature climbs, even the best summer plans can start to feel like a lot. Hiking sounds better in the morning. Long walks downtown feel better after sunset. And sometimes the smartest plan is to find something cool, memorable, and easy to enjoy without standing in direct sun for hours.

Whether you live in Utah or you are visiting from out of town, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the summer without letting the heat take over your day.

Here are some of the best things to do in Utah when it is too hot outside.

Start Early and Save the Big Outdoor Plans for Morning

If you want to get outside during the summer, morning is your friend.

Utah has incredible outdoor options, but many of them are better before the afternoon heat settles in. A short morning hike, canyon drive, farmers market, or walk around a local park can still give you that summer feeling without turning the day into a heat endurance test.

A few great morning ideas include:

• Walking around Silver Lake near Brighton
• Taking a scenic drive through Big Cottonwood Canyon or Little Cottonwood Canyon
• Visiting Thanksgiving Point gardens earlier in the day
• Exploring downtown Salt Lake before lunch
• Taking a short hike with shade and water nearby

The key is to plan around the heat instead of fighting it. Get outside early, take your time, and save the middle of the day for something indoors.

Head to a Museum, Aquarium, or Planetarium

When the afternoon gets hot, Utah has plenty of indoor places that are still worth building a day around.

In Salt Lake City, Clark Planetarium is a great option for families, couples, and out-of-town guests. The planetarium offers free interactive exhibits, along with IMAX and dome theater shows, making it an easy downtown stop when you want something cool, educational, and low-stress.

The Natural History Museum of Utah is another strong choice, especially if you have visitors in town. It gives guests a better sense of Utah’s landscape, dinosaurs, geology, and history while keeping everyone comfortably indoors.

Other indoor places to consider:

• Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper
• Thanksgiving Point museums in Lehi
• The Leonardo in Salt Lake City
• Utah Museum of Fine Arts
• Hill Aerospace Museum in Roy
• BYU Museum of Paleontology in Provo
• Roots of Knowledge at Utah Valley University

These are especially helpful if you are trying to plan a full day for family or guests visiting Utah for the first time.

Find Water Without Making It a Full Lake Day

A lake day can be amazing, but it is not always simple. You need gear, time, shade, parking, sunscreen, towels, food, and usually a lot of planning.

If you want to cool off without committing to a full outdoor lake trip, look for easier water-based options.

Good summer ideas include:

• Cowabunga Bay in Draper
• Splash Summit Waterpark in Provo
• Local recreation centers with indoor pools
• The Provo River for tubing
• Reservoirs like Jordanelle, Deer Creek, or Pineview if you are prepared for a longer day
• Hotel pools for a local staycation

Water activities can be a great way to enjoy summer, but timing still matters. If you are going to be outside, plan for shade, hydration, and breaks.

Make the JUMP in Bluffdale

For people who want something more exciting than another movie, mall trip, or lunch reservation, JUMP by Limitless Flight in Bluffdale is one of Utah’s most unique indoor experiences.

JUMP gives guests the feeling of human flight through a hyperreal wingsuit BASE jumping experience. You suit up, step into the experience, and fly through stunning environments without needing years of skydiving or wingsuit BASE jumping training.

It is a strong summer option because it still feels big, active, and unforgettable while being indoors. That makes it a great fit for:

• Date nights
• Families with older kids or teens
• Friends visiting from out of town
• Corporate groups
• Birthday plans
• Weekend staycations
• Anyone looking for something they have never done before

A lot of guests come to Utah specifically to make the JUMP, but they are not always sure what else to do while they are here. That makes JUMP easy to build into a full summer day. You can fly in Bluffdale, grab lunch or dinner nearby, visit Thanksgiving Point, head into Salt Lake, or make it part of a bigger Utah weekend.

If you are visiting from out of state, JUMP can be the kind of centerpiece activity that turns a regular trip into a story you will keep telling.

Explore Thanksgiving Point and Lehi

If you are already in the south end of the Salt Lake Valley, Thanksgiving Point is one of the easiest places to build a full summer day.

It gives you several options in one area, including museums, gardens, restaurants, shopping, and family-friendly attractions. During the hottest part of the day, the museums are especially helpful because they give you something to do without being outside the whole time.

You can pair Thanksgiving Point with JUMP in Bluffdale for a full day that works well for families, couples, or visiting guests. Start with a morning garden walk or museum visit, make the JUMP in the afternoon, then finish with dinner in Lehi, Draper, or Sandy.

Plan Around Salt Lake City Events

Summer in Salt Lake is full of concerts, festivals, markets, sports, art, and downtown events. Visit Salt Lake keeps an updated events calendar with concerts, food festivals, outdoor markets, cultural celebrations, and other local happenings.

The trick during hot weather is to choose your timing carefully.

Midday outdoor events can be rough in July and August, but evening events can be a great way to enjoy the city after the temperature drops. You can plan something indoors during the day, then head downtown later for dinner, live music, a show, or a walk through an event like Downtown Blooms, which brings sidewalk chalk murals and window art to Main Street.

For out-of-town visitors, this is a great way to experience more than just the mountains. Spend the afternoon somewhere cool, then use the evening to explore the city.

Take a Scenic Drive Into the Mountains

One of the best parts of Utah is how quickly you can change elevation.

If the valley feels too hot, a canyon drive can make the day feel completely different. Big Cottonwood Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon, American Fork Canyon, Provo Canyon, and the Alpine Loop all offer scenic views and a break from the city.

You do not have to turn it into a major hike. Sometimes a scenic drive, a short walk, and a stop for food or dessert is enough.

A few ideas:

• Drive Big Cottonwood Canyon and stop near Silver Lake
• Take the Alpine Loop between American Fork Canyon and Provo Canyon
• Visit Sundance for mountain views and dining
• Drive Provo Canyon and stop near Bridal Veil Falls
• Head toward Park City for cooler evening air and dinner on Main Street

This works especially well for visitors who want to see Utah’s scenery but may not be prepared for a long, hot hike.

Build a Utah Staycation Day

Sometimes the best summer plan is not a big vacation. It is a well-planned local day that feels like one.

A good Utah staycation could look like this:

Start with brunch. CHECK OUT: Sunday's best

Do an indoor activity during the hottest part of the day.

Make the JUMP in Bluffdale.

Head to dinner in Draper, Lehi, Sandy, or Salt Lake.

End the night with a canyon drive, dessert, or a downtown event.

This kind of day works because it gives you variety without requiring a hotel, airport, or long drive. It is also a great option when family or friends are visiting and you want to show them something they cannot do everywhere else.

Keep Heat Safety in Mind

Part of enjoying Utah in the summer is knowing when to slow down.

If you are planning outdoor activities, bring water, wear sunscreen, look for shade, and pay attention to how everyone in your group is feeling. Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services advises watching for heat illness symptoms like dizziness, fainting, nausea, muscle spasms, and heavy sweating.

That does not mean you have to stay home. It just means you should plan your day with the heat in mind.

Do the outdoor things early or later in the evening. Save museums, restaurants, shopping, indoor attractions, and experiences like JUMP for the hottest part of the afternoon.

A Simple Summer Day Itinerary Near Salt Lake City

If you are trying to plan a full day, here is an easy version:

Morning: Take a canyon drive or visit a garden before it gets too hot.

Lunch: Grab food in Lehi, Draper, Sandy, or Salt Lake.

Afternoon: Choose an indoor experience like JUMP, Clark Planetarium, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, or a museum.

Evening: Head downtown for dinner, a concert, a local event, or a walk once the sun starts to drop.

This gives you the best of Utah summer without spending the entire day in the heat.

Make the Most of Summer in Utah

Utah has too much to offer to let the heat ruin your plans.

The best summer days are the ones that are planned well. Get outside early. Find shade when you can. Choose indoor activities during the hottest hours. Save the city, mountains, and events for the evening.

And if you want one part of the day to feel truly unforgettable, make the JUMP.

Whether you are local, planning a staycation, hosting family from out of town, or looking for something completely different to do in Utah this summer, JUMP is an indoor adventure that gives you a story to take home with you.

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