Many Utahns have phobias of one kind or another: some are afraid of spiders; others are terrified of flying in planes, and some can’t handle small, enclosed spaces. Some people are afraid of heights. Just the thought of looking down into a deep canyon or peering over the railing of a bridge to the water hundreds of feet below makes their palms sweat and their hearts race. Are you afraid of heights? If so, there are some spots in Utah that you’ll want to avoid.
- Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park
loren chipman/flickr The hike to Angel’s Landing is pretty scary. As you make the final ascent up a steep spine of rock, you’ll hold onto chains to keep your balance. Keeping your balance is important…because it’s about 1,500 feet to the bottom of the canyon.
- Utah Olympic Park Ski Jump, Park City
ShaneF1/Tripadvisor Visit the Utah Olympic Park and take the guided tour for just $12. The tour includes a shuttle ride to the top of the world’s highest Olympic ski jumps. Peer over the edge and imagine having the guts to slide down this terrifying ramp on skis and fly through the air.
- Utah Olympic Park Summit Adventure Ropes Course, Park City
Eric Morris/Google While you’re at the Utah Olympic Park, check out the Summit Adventure Ropes Course. It has three different skill levels, and heights vary, but include high wires and obstacles at 55 feet above the ground.
- Moki Dugway, Valley of the Gods
rhodab/iStock/Getty Images Drive along UT-261 through the Valley of the Gods, and you’ll come across Moki Dugway - a dirt road with switchbacks that climb right up the side of Cedar Mesa. The road is fairly narrow, has a grade of 11 percent, and climbs a total of 1,200 feet. Large vehicles are not allowed on the road, which has some seriously scary drop-offs.
- Mt. Timpanogos Trail, Wasatch Mountains
Drew Lewis/Alltrails The summit of Mt. Timpanogos is the second-highest in the Wasatch Mountains, at 11,749 feet. Most of the hike to the top isn’t too tricky, but as you reach the “chimney section,” the trail gets pretty narrow. The switchbacks are placed in a way that if you fall, you’ll probably just land on the switchback a few feet below…but the valley floor is a long way down.
- Snowbird Tram, Snowbird Resort
Sandy S/Tripadvisor Hop aboard the tram at Snowbird, and you’ll have some stunning 360-degree views of the mountains and valleys that make up the resort. The tram climbs 2,900 feet up to the summit, which sits at 11,000 feet. While most people enjoy the ride, those with a fear of heights might not love it so much.
- Hite Crossing Bridge, Glen Canyon
m-kojot/iStock/Getty Images The Hite Crossing Bridge was built in 1966, and it’s one of the only places to cross the Colorado River by automobile within 100 miles. As you cross, look down 200 feet to the river below.
- Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge, Draper
Juan Cervantes/Google The Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge spans 185 feet across the canyon, and it’s quite a drop to the bottom. For an extra, scary twist, it’s a suspension bridge, so it can sway a bit while you cross.
- Sundance Zip Tour, Sundance Resort
Sundance Zip Tour/Google If you’re afraid of heights, ziplines probably aren’t for you. The Sundance Zip Tour takes you flying over the trees with a 2,100-foot descent. You’ll reach speeds up to 65 miles per hour, and see some incredible views…if your eyes aren’t squeezed shut with fear.
- Bald Mountain Trail, Uinta Mountains
JR Welan Pascua/Alltrails The Bald Mountain Trail is a popular hike along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, and the views are fantastic. Once you get to the top (11,945 feet) you might not want to look down.
- Hell’s Backbone Bridge, near Boulder
Georgia/flickr As you make your way around the Hell’s Backbone Scenic Byway, you’ll come to this little bridge that spans an abyss that’s 1,500 feet deep. The narrow bridge is just 14 feet wide, and is only 109 feet long, but the drop on either side is terrifying.
- The Cannibal, Lagoon Amusement Park, Farmington
Lagoon Amusement Park/Google The Cannibal has the tallest beyond-vertical drop of any roller coaster in the world (116 degrees). It’s 208 feet high and has a 140-foot-tall loop.
- Glen Canyon Dam, Page, AZ
Michael Hall/The Image Bank/via Getty Images Just five miles across the Utah/Arizona border, you’l find the Glen Canyon Dam. Obviously, it’s technically not in Utah, but many Utahns stop here when visiting Lake Powell. At 710 feet tall, it’s a feat of engineering…and a heart-stopping view from the top.
These are just a few of many heart-stopping spots that you’ll want to avoid if you’re afraid of heights. What are some others? Tell us in the comments!
loren chipman/flickr
The hike to Angel’s Landing is pretty scary. As you make the final ascent up a steep spine of rock, you’ll hold onto chains to keep your balance. Keeping your balance is important…because it’s about 1,500 feet to the bottom of the canyon.
ShaneF1/Tripadvisor
Visit the Utah Olympic Park and take the guided tour for just $12. The tour includes a shuttle ride to the top of the world’s highest Olympic ski jumps. Peer over the edge and imagine having the guts to slide down this terrifying ramp on skis and fly through the air.
Eric Morris/Google
While you’re at the Utah Olympic Park, check out the Summit Adventure Ropes Course. It has three different skill levels, and heights vary, but include high wires and obstacles at 55 feet above the ground.
rhodab/iStock/Getty Images
Drive along UT-261 through the Valley of the Gods, and you’ll come across Moki Dugway - a dirt road with switchbacks that climb right up the side of Cedar Mesa. The road is fairly narrow, has a grade of 11 percent, and climbs a total of 1,200 feet. Large vehicles are not allowed on the road, which has some seriously scary drop-offs.
Drew Lewis/Alltrails
The summit of Mt. Timpanogos is the second-highest in the Wasatch Mountains, at 11,749 feet. Most of the hike to the top isn’t too tricky, but as you reach the “chimney section,” the trail gets pretty narrow. The switchbacks are placed in a way that if you fall, you’ll probably just land on the switchback a few feet below…but the valley floor is a long way down.
Sandy S/Tripadvisor
Hop aboard the tram at Snowbird, and you’ll have some stunning 360-degree views of the mountains and valleys that make up the resort. The tram climbs 2,900 feet up to the summit, which sits at 11,000 feet. While most people enjoy the ride, those with a fear of heights might not love it so much.
m-kojot/iStock/Getty Images
The Hite Crossing Bridge was built in 1966, and it’s one of the only places to cross the Colorado River by automobile within 100 miles. As you cross, look down 200 feet to the river below.
Juan Cervantes/Google
The Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge spans 185 feet across the canyon, and it’s quite a drop to the bottom. For an extra, scary twist, it’s a suspension bridge, so it can sway a bit while you cross.
Sundance Zip Tour/Google
If you’re afraid of heights, ziplines probably aren’t for you. The Sundance Zip Tour takes you flying over the trees with a 2,100-foot descent. You’ll reach speeds up to 65 miles per hour, and see some incredible views…if your eyes aren’t squeezed shut with fear.
JR Welan Pascua/Alltrails
The Bald Mountain Trail is a popular hike along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, and the views are fantastic. Once you get to the top (11,945 feet) you might not want to look down.
Georgia/flickr
As you make your way around the Hell’s Backbone Scenic Byway, you’ll come to this little bridge that spans an abyss that’s 1,500 feet deep. The narrow bridge is just 14 feet wide, and is only 109 feet long, but the drop on either side is terrifying.
Lagoon Amusement Park/Google
The Cannibal has the tallest beyond-vertical drop of any roller coaster in the world (116 degrees). It’s 208 feet high and has a 140-foot-tall loop.
Michael Hall/The Image Bank/via Getty Images
Just five miles across the Utah/Arizona border, you’l find the Glen Canyon Dam. Obviously, it’s technically not in Utah, but many Utahns stop here when visiting Lake Powell. At 710 feet tall, it’s a feat of engineering…and a heart-stopping view from the top.
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Address: Springdale, UT 84767, USAAddress: Utah Olympic Park, 3419 Olympic Pkwy, Park City, UT 84098, USAAddress: UT-261, Mexican Hat, UT 84531, USAAddress: Mount Timpanogos Trail (052), Provo, UT 84604, USAAddress: 9385 S, Snowbird Center Dr, Snowbird, UT 84092, USAAddress: Hite Crossing Bridge, Lake Powell, UT 84533, USAAddress: 2062 Autumn Ridge Dr E, Draper, UT 84020, USAAddress: Sundance, UT 84604, USAAddress: Bald Mountain, Utah 84108, USAAddress: Hells Backbone Rd, Boulder, UT, USAAddress: 375 North Lagoon Dr, Farmington, UT 84025, USAAddress: Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona 86040, USA
