As 2025 is in full swing, the Utah Office of Tourism welcomes an exciting year filled with new and renovated hotels, milestone celebrations, and the always unique activities that showcase the Beehive State’s vast landscapes. A sampling:
- Utah’s Famed Dark Skies: Utah continues to lead as a global destination for stargazing and astrophotography. Known for being home to the highest concentration of dark skies in the world, April 2025 will mark the state’s fourth annual official Utah Dark Sky Month. Utah now has a total of 26 designated International Dark Sky Places that include four of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks, 10 state parks, four towns and more.
- Utah Film Trail—Moab Celebrates 75 Years of Film: Continuing the set-jetting love into 2025 after we celebrated 100 Years of Film & Television in Utah in 2024, the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission, one of the longest-running film commissions in the U.S., celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2025. Established in 1949, the commission supports Grand and San Juan Counties and plays a pivotal role in attracting film tourism, with 37% of visitors coming to Utah because they saw it in a movie. Recent highlights include the filming of Horizon: An American Saga, which premiered at the Festival de Cannes and is the largest-scale film project ever shot in the area.
- Aero Expands: Aero, the premier book-by-the-seat jet service, is introducing a new route from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, launching just in time for Sundance Film Festival and Park City’s peak winter season. Travelers can expect to arrive just 20 minutes before take-off, bypassing crowded airports, to a private lounge with champagne and refreshments. Once airborne, an exceptional in-flight experience awaits including gourmet bites by Erewhon, an open bar, and Starlink WiFi. Designed with comfort and style, the 16 oversized Italian leather seats feature a deep recline and spacious leg room, maximizing personal space.
- Renovations to Dixie Convention Center, St. George: In 2025, the Dixie Convention Center in St. George, the largest city in Greater Zion, is undergoing extensive renovations to enhance its facilities and elevate the guest experience. Key updates include new exterior signage and a refreshed lobby featuring a bright, modern color palette. The Garden Room and meeting spaces will receive new carpet and paint, while energy-efficient lighting upgrades will improve both ambiance and sustainability. Additionally, the Exhibit Hall will gain flexibility to create a ballroom-like atmosphere for various events. A standout feature of the renovation is the installation of new guest service desks throughout the lobby, inspired by the iconic white rock patterns of Zion National Park and Snow Canyon State Park. Topped with brilliant white quartz, these kiosks offer a visually stunning and functional addition to the center.
New Attractions & Activities
From winter adventures to expanded resort experiences, 2025 promises something for every traveler:
- Deer Valley East Village: Now open for the 2024/25 winter season, this new addition features three lifts, 20 new ski runs, 500 day-skier parking spots, and seamless access to the acclaimed Deer Valley Resort. A seamless extension of the legendary resort, embracing over 3,700 additional skiable acres. Deer Valley East Village is the first major public alpine ski resort to be developed in North America in over 40 years.
- Utah Ice Castles, Soldier Hollow: Returning to Midway with a fiery twist to its icy creations, archways, mazes, tunnels and more are handcrafted from over 25 million pounds of ice. Expanding across an acre of land in Midway, UT, families can wander through the maze of ice and find fountains, slides and playgrounds cut just for kids. Open from early January, this magical attraction is a must-visit.
- Guided Snowshoe and Night Sky Tours, Cedar Breaks National Monument: Every Friday and Saturday through March, enjoy ranger-led snowshoe hikes and celestial night sky tours, offering a serene and educational escape into winter’s beauty. Highlights include a one-mile round trip on gentle terrain, insights into geology, wildlife, and history, and access to telescopes for stargazing. Snowshoes and poles are provided at no additional cost. Reservations are required and can be made online at the Cedar Breaks website.
- Arches National Park Timed Entry Updates: Beginning January 2, 2025, visitors to Arches National Park can book timed entry reservations up to six months in advance—twice as long as previously offered—allowing for greater flexibility in trip planning. Next-day tickets will also remain available. Reservations are not required between July 7 and August 27, when visitation typically decreases due to peak summer temperatures. This updated system continues to improve visitor experiences by reducing congestion and ensuring reliable access. Timed entry tickets can be booked via Recreation.gov starting at 8 a.m. MST on January 2 for April through June dates.
- Backcountry Ski Tours in the La Sal Mountains: In 2025, Evan Clapper, a longtime Moab resident and experienced multisport guide, is introducing backcountry ski tours in the picturesque La Sal Mountains. This stunning venture allows skiers to experience the unique contrast of alpine terrain with panoramic views of the surrounding desert canyons. As the first outfitter to offer ski tours in the La Sals, Evan is creating an entirely new way to explore this breathtaking region. He will plan to offer both half-day and full-day tours.
- New Rapids in Cataract Canyon: The Returning Rapids project will continue in 2025 to track the reemergence of historic whitewater rapids in the Cataract Canyon section of the Colorado River, as water levels in Lake Powell recede. Originally washed out by the creation of the Glen Canyon Dam, these legendary rapids are now making a dramatic comeback. The project gained significant attention in early 2024, and the excitement continues with the formation of a new rapids (most recently in November). Cataract Canyon offers an unforgettable adventure, boasting some of the most thrilling rapids. With numerous guide companies in Moab offering both overnight and one-day trips, it’s a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers. For more information, visit NAVTEC Expeditions.
- Once Upon a Time in America: In 2025, the Once Upon A Time In America Museum in Kanab, Utah, is set to captivate visitors with its eclectic collection spanning various facets of American history and culture. Curated over three decades by owners Jason and Nicol Grossman, the museum features six distinct rooms showcasing historic colonial, Civil War, and military documents; classic Hollywood movie and TV memorabilia; and a vast selection of Old West artifacts. Additionally, guests can explore an indoor Old West town replica, “Paria,” and the “Horsepower Corral,” which houses classic and custom vehicles. Complementing the exhibits are the “Sweet Tea & Whiskey Living” gift emporium and the Smoke Wagon Saloon and Eatery, offering a unique dining experience. The museum is scheduled to reopen in February 2025 after a brief closure in January.