Like a lot of western destinations, Utah invites you outdoors. This is not the place for nightlife or theme parks, but a spot that offers beautiful, rugged western scenery as you bike, camp, fish, hike and ski in its wide-open spaces. Many families visit Utah, thanks to its attractions and wholesome atmosphere. Travelers also report feeling safe and secure anywhere in the state.

Besides the state’s natural wonders, often packaged conveniently into national preserves with numerous activities that appeal across personality types, Utah possesses a unique and fascinating history, populated with Indians, Mormons, ranchers, miners and railroad builders.

The Mormons crossed the country and pretty much stopped, so they were among the first visitors. With such a strong majority of the state's population belonging to the Church of Latter Day Saints, expect an important and pervasive influence on life and politics in Utah.

Who goes there? Venturers and ecotourists especially enjoy the national parks, national forests and state parks. In fact, the state is chockablock with parks and preserves, providing an exceptionally rich source of places to relax and play for individuals of any personality type.

When do they go? Utah is a year-round vacation destination. Visitors go for outstanding skiing in winter and Christmas activities at Temple Square in Salt Lake City; view the rock formations of Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park in spring, fall or summer, and enjoy outdoor recreation all year.

Go whitewater rafting in the Grand Canyon.

Camp at Devil’s Garden inside Arches National Park or other area campgrounds. In the park, see the world’s largest concentration of natural stone arches.

Hike Horseshoe Canyon in Canyonlands National Park to see surprising ancient rock art.

Look up your family background at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City.

Hone your skills as a mountain biker on the Moab Slickrock Bike Trail. Also, try the off-road Jeep experience through rugged canyons near Moab.

Get on the trail of Butch Cassidy, starting with a visit to his hometown of Circleville, these days noted as a starting point for a serpentine all-terrain vehicle trail. After a little time out for the ATV action, head for Robbers’ Roost, one of several areas on the so-called Outlaw Trail that meanders from Mexico to Montana. Robbers’ Roost is a wild region of canyons and hundreds of hiding places. Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch were among those to hide there. The easiest access is via the mouth of the Dirty Devil River.

Go mountain biking at Brian Head resort. In winter, Brian Head offers other choices: cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing.

In fact, you can go skiing at any of 13 resorts in the state. You have the chance to follow where the world’s top skiers entered competition during the 2002 Olympics.

Attend the Utah Shakespearean Festival, June to October, in Cedar City. Also, the Heritage Theater in Cedar City’s historic downtown is the permanent home for the Utah Neil Simon Festival, July and August, and a number of other entertainments.

Float on the Great Salt Lake. You won’t believe how buoyant you are because of the heavy concentration of salt. You also can kayak or sail on the lake.

Sundance Resort isn’t just about skiing. It hosts cultural programs year-round and, in warmer months, offers hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.

Go fly-fishing in the Provo River — or in the Logan and Blacksmith Fork rivers.

This does not add up to a meal for the dieter, but take a food tour to several factories in and around Logan where you can sample cheese, chocolates, coffee, cookies, honey and ice cream made or processed at the factories you visit.

Attend a pow wow. They occur at various times of the year and widely scattered in the state, but one opportunity is right in Salt Lake City: the Native American Festival at the Park.

Visit the American West Heritage Center in Wellsville. It is a living-history site highlighting the Old West with hands-on activities in its pioneer site, farm site, mountain man encampment and Native American village. Go to www.awhc.org and click through for the center’s schedule of Festivals of the American West.

Take a guided horseback ride through the high mountain wilderness area of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Attend Logan’s Utah Festival Opera in the summertime. Besides grand opera, light operettas and musicals, the season includes orchestral and vocal concerts, seminars and backstage tours.

Vacation on Lake Powell, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, by renting a houseboat. Spend your days fishing, hiking, kayaking, waterskiing — you name it.

Play golf. Utah is well supplied with courses.

Visit the wineries in and near Moab.

Look for remarkable Indian ruins in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. If you keep your eyes peeled, you will see small homes, other buildings and rock art left behind by the Anasazi. In particular, see the restored ruins and rock art at Defiance House in Forgotten Canyon or the Three Roof Ruins on a cliff along Lake Powell’s Escalante arm.

For your fall foliage fix, take an autumn drive through Wellsville Canyon and Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway.

Tour Salt Lake City’s historic Temple Square, Utah’s most popular tourist attraction, and attend a free concert by the Mormon Tabernacle choir.

Rock hounding — when you know what it is, you may like it. It is the search for rare or unusual rocks, gemstones and fossils, and Utah is a prime spot for the collector because of its diverse terrain.

For more information, consult the Utah Office of Tourism at www.utah.travel

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