Provo may not be as well-known as its more prominent neighbors, but its unique charms and bountiful natural wonders are, by no means, any less impressive. In fact, depending upon your interests and tastes, it might even outshine the notable locales that line its borders.
Tucked away in the heart of the greater Utah Valley, the scenic town of Provo resides against the dramatic and imposing backdrop of Mount Timpanogos — one of Utah’s most recognizable mountains noteworthy for its nearly 5,300 feet of prominence and 11,752-foot summit — which is widely considered to be the centerpiece of the Utah Valley stretch of the Wasatch Mountain Range. Consequently, it will come as little surprise then that the mountain is one of the highlights of any visit to Provo, particularly among hiking enthusiasts.
Though the hike to the summit of Mount Timpanogos is not for the faint of heart – averaging around 7 – 10 hours to complete the grueling round-trip hike of approximately 15 miles – it is arguably Utah’s most popular mountain hiking destination. Two trails are commonly used to reach the summit. The first is the picturesque Aspen Grove Trail, which runs 8.3 miles one way, starting at the Theater-in-the-Pines picnic area on the mountain’s east side, passing several waterfalls along the way. The second is the Timpooneke Trail which also leads to the summit, running about 7.5 miles one way from the Timpooneke Campground in American Fork Canyon.
Along both trails, expect to be wowed by the spectacle of nature. While wildflowers in abundance line both trails, wildlife is no stranger to hikers en route to the summit of the mountain. Mountain goats, deer and big horn sheep, all existing in their natural habitat, are just a few of the animals hikers can expect to encounter on the trek. In addition, as if the magnificent vistas and sense of accomplishment were not gratification enough, an Instagram-ready snowfield that never melts awaits on top of the mountain as an added bonus for the efforts of those that successfully complete the hike.
All that said, if strenuous hikes are not your thing, Provo offers scores of other outdoor recreational activities to fill out the perfect itinerary for a visit to Utah’s third largest outpost that do not require the same amount of arduous effort. Provo Canyon, for instance, is home to Bridal Veil Falls, Vivian Park and the Provo River Parkway which, along with other stops, collectively provide an exceptional year-round destination for outdoorsy adventures.
In the summer, Bridal Veil Park and its stunning 600-foot waterfalls serve as a picture-perfect backdrop for plentiful biking, mountaineering, rafting and hiking opportunities and in the winter morph into a must-visit destination for ice climbers from around the globe. An excellent way to experience all that the Canyon has to offer is to go for a jog or bike ride along the Provo River Parkway, a paved trail from Vivian Park in the Canyon to the Shops at Riverwoods, a collection of the area’s most unique local boutiques and restaurants nestled among prominent national retailers. In total, the journey runs about eight miles one-way along a very scenic route that follows the Provo River to the mouth of the canyon.
The Parkway also conveniently flows directly into Utah Lake State Park. Known as Utah’s largest freshwater lake at roughly 148 square miles, Utah Lake provides a variety of recreation activities including swimming, boating, and paddleboarding as well as fishing access for channel catfish, walleye, white bass, black bass, and several species of panfish. Additionally, for campers who want to stick around for a while and enjoy the natural beauty of the area, the park hosts an RV campground consisting of 31 sites, complete with water and power hookups.
Meanwhile, a different type of exploration and adventure awaits in downtown Provo which is the throbbing heartbeat of activity in the city. Brimming with everything from karaoke and comedy clubs to all manner of retail shops, downtown Provo is also the epicenter of the town’s diverse food scene. With more than 200 restaurants, Provo boasts one of the most eclectic multicultural food scenes in the Intermountain West thanks in no small part to substantial international student and faculty population at Brigham Young University where students hail from 46 different countries.
Within the roughly mile and half downtown corridor, you’ll find Brazilian, Peruvian, Mexican, Native American, Indian, Korean, Pacific Islander, and Japanese eateries alongside a variety of other restaurants. From artisan woodfired pizzas, authentic curries and scratch-made kolaches to Native American Southwestern inspired hog jowl nachos, award-winning chocolate and old-fashioned ice cream, all these mouthwatering treats, and so much more, can be found in Provo.
The other thing that you can expect to find in downtown Provo is history in the form of the Provo Downtown Historic District, a 25-acre area listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This charming quarter is comprised of 43 buildings, the majority of which were built between 1880 and 1930. Though many of the buildings cannot be entered, self-guided tours of the district that offer a tremendous and interesting way to explore the history of Provo, and indeed the American West, through the town’s architecture are available.
Other significant highlights on tap in Provo include the family friendly Thanksgiving Point, which is home to the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life, one of the largest dinosaur museums of its kind, featuring one of the most valuable dinosaur collections of its kind, including a 150 million-year-old dinosaur egg and 60 complete dinosaur skeletons. Also with family fun in mind, there’s Evermore Park, a year-round fantasy adventure experience designed to mimic the look and charm of a classic old European village and hamlet. Complete with relics spanning the 15th to early 19th century, the park’s style is largely influenced by the art and culture of Medieval and Victorian times with a dash of ancient Celtic appearing in the gardens.
So the next time you’re planning a trip to Utah, be advised that a world of wonder and brilliant new experiences that you may not have considered awaits in Provo, a gem of a town bursting with culture, cuisine, history, nature and wildlife. Now if that doesn’t sound like a most excellent escape, I’m not sure what does.