Activities in Tropic

Tropic is a beautiful, quaint community in Southern Utah. The town of Tropic sits at the base of Bryce Canyon, living in the shadow of the massive natural formation. With its incredible views and proximity to a large number of popular areas, Tropic is one of Utah’s many gems. While the town may be small, with a population just over 500 and an area of about eight and a half square miles, there is so much to do in and around Tropic.

A couple of the exciting things to do in and near Tropic are visiting the parks and participating in fun outdoor activities. Those who love the outdoors will find Tropic to be one of the most impressive destinations in which they have ever stayed. Just a few minutes’ drive to the nearest park, with many more within an hour or two away, Tropic is the perfect base for exploring all of Southern Utah and even the surrounding states. With so many things to do in and near Tropic, visitors will have a visit packed full of adventure, new experiences, and natural beauty.

Nearby parks

Throughout the United States, there is a total of 417 national parks. These amazing areas of land are important pieces of what makes this country so beautiful.

The area around Tropic, Utah is home to a large concentration of national parks. Within a three-hour driving radius from Tropic, there are about ten national and state parks. This gives visitors a great choice of parks and an even better reason to stay in and explore Tropic. While there are many parks located near Tropic, the following are the most commonly visited in the area.

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon National Park is the perfect place for guests to see what makes the Southern Utah landscape so unique. Bryce Canyon has been slowly carved, over millions of years, into the impressive formation it is today. Bryce Canyon National Park is home to the largest number of hoodoos in the entire world. The geological wonders of Bryce Canyon National Park are unlike any other.

This park is particularly popular for those who enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and rappelling. Hikers immerse themselves in the ancient red rock, surrounded by some of the most picturesque lands in the country. Bryce Canyon covers a vast amount of ground, so it will take even the most skilled hiker many trips into the park to truly understand and experience its beauty. Bryce Canyon is about ten minutes from the town of Tropic, making it the perfect place to spend a few days during a stay in Tropic.

Kodachrome Basin State Park

With its impressive multicolored layers of rock and many rock chimneys, Kodachrome Basin State Park is a geology lover’s dream. A hike or horseback ride through this park takes visitors back over an 180-million-year history of constant change and building of the rocks. The landscape is incredibly unique, even among all the other beautiful views in the area. While in Tropic, a visit to Kodachrome Basin State Park, which is only a 20-minute drive, will be an unforgettable adventure.

Anasazi State Park

For visitors who want to immerse themselves in the rich history of the west, a trip to Anasazi State Park is in order. This unique state park is home to the ruins of an ancient Native American village belonging to the Anasazi. At the park, there is a museum which helps guests gain a deeper understanding of the history of the area. Visitors can marvel at the ancient structures and make a connection with the deep history of Anasazi State Park.

Zion National Park

Another impressive and popular state park located near Tropic is Zion National Park. Only an hour and a half drive away, Zion is a can’t-miss destination while in Tropic. This large national park is full of trails to explore and exciting activities to try. It is a great place to spend the day for hikers, cyclists, and geology buffs. Every visitor is sure to find something to love at the beautiful Zion National Park.

Dixie National Forest

The largest national forest in Utah, at over two million acres, Dixie National Forest is a truly magnificent area. The landscape varies from dense, green forests to towering red rock. Visitors will feel as if they are visiting completely different countries as they make their way through the different geographic areas. Dixie National Forest is the perfect place for visitors who are hoping to see some of Southern Utah’s native wildlife. The warm temperature and incredible views make Dixie National Forests a must-see area while in Tropic.

Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument

Another geological masterpiece, the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument provides visitors with a truly unforgettable experience. There are numerous places to explore within the Grand Staircase. Visitors who obtain permits can even walk through the famous Wave. Just a few minutes’ drive from Tropic, Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument is a great place to make memories and take lots of pictures.

Grand Canyon

Probably one of the most recognizable formations in the world, the Grand Canyon brings in visitors from across the world every year. For those staying in Tropic, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is only two and a half hours from town. This relatively close distance makes it the perfect place to take a day trip from Tropic.

Outdoor activities

The adventure of outdoor activities in Tropic is one of the biggest reasons people visit this great town and the surrounding areas. Every season, there is something fun and exciting to do. Whether visitors are seasoned professionals at a certain activity or are trying it for the first time, the Tropic area is a great place to get out and make memories. While there is an endless amount of activities in Tropic to enjoy, the following are some of the more popular things to do during a visit to the Tropic, Utah area.

Hiking

One of the most popular activities in Tropic and the surrounding areas, hiking takes visitors through the many beautiful areas of Southern Utah. Hiking excursions can take a few hours or a few days, depending on the area hiked and the hikers experience. With Tropic, Utah as the base, avid hikers can take themselves to a variety of popular hiking locations during their stay.

Skiing or snowshoeing

The snow doesn’t stop visitors in Tropic from getting outside and enjoying the scenery. There are a number of ski resorts a short distance from Tropic. These resorts offer countless slopes to explore and even backcountry to snowshoe through. When visiting in the colder months, guests should take advantage of the world-class skiing and leisurely snowshoeing offered near Tropic.

Telescope tours

People have long been fascinated by all things space. Tropic, Utah offers some of the best viewing opportunities available. Avid astronomers and beginners alike will be in awe of the incredible number of stars that can be seen from Tropic. Those interested can take a special telescope tour. The wide-open skies and rural darkness provided in Tropic create the atmosphere for ideal stargazing. Guests who take a telescope tour, even if they were never interested in astronomy before, will find themselves captivated by the beauty and mystery of space.

Horseback and mule rides

Throughout many of the nearby parks and other areas, visitors have the opportunity to go horseback riding or mule riding. This leisurely, relatively low-impact activity is popular for many reasons. Riding through the scenery allows riders to see all the incredible views of the area while letting the horse or mule do most of the work. Those who would like to immerse themselves in nature and the history of the Tropic area should seriously consider going on a horse or mule ride during their stay.

ATV rides

Adrenaline junkies, look no further. An ATV ride through this beautiful countryside is all the excitement anyone could need. Whether taking a slow ride to view the scenery or tearing up some trails, an ATV ride is an experience unlike any other. Visitors can rent an ATV and go on an ATV tour, or bring their own and stick to the ATV trails. Either way, a ride through the Tropic area will be unforgettable.

For a great time, visit Tropic

The countless places to explore and activities to try make Tropic the perfect destination for every outdoorsy traveler. The small town feeling of Tropic and its ideal location, situated between so many popular parks, makes Tropic one of the best places to stay in Utah. The vast number of things to do means guests can spend weeks in Tropic and the surrounding areas and still not see everything. Those who truly love to explore the outdoors will feel lucky to have found a wonderful place like Tropic.