Utah Valley
The Garden Valley

Once called the "Garden City" because of its fruit orchards, trees, and gardens, Utah Valley’s center, Provo, is bordered to the west with a serene lake, and to the east with towering, snow-capped peaks.

Thousands of Latter-day Saint pioneers trekked over the rough terrain of Indian Territory in 1847. Even trail guides and mountain men had little information concerning the road ahead of them. The Saints had no idea where their final destination would be, but they faithfully followed their leader and prophet, Brigham Young. On July 24, 1847, the wagons rolled into what is now known as the Salt Lake Valley and Brigham Young said, “It is enough. This is the right place. Move on.”

At least sixty thousand Mormon pioneers crossed the plains into Utah in 236 pioneer companies. After turning the barren land into the oasis we know as Salt Lake City, President Young counseled the Saints to spread outwards, occupying and building up the surrounding areas.

Provo, the first Mormon settlement outside of Salt Lake City, was founded under the direction of John S. Higbee, who led 150 people in the spring of 1849 to today’s Utah Valley. Other surrounding cities in the valley, like Lehi, Cedar Hills, American Fork, Pleasant Grove, Lindon, Payson, and Salem were quickly settled by the pioneers. Alpine, Highland, Orem, Springville, Spanish Fork, and Santaquin areas drew farmers, cattle ranching, and trappers.

Before the Mormons came, Utah Valley was home to the Ute Indians who lived in small villages for protection and survived by fishing in Utah Lake. Later, the first white settlers in the Provo area were Fray Francisco Atanasio Dominguez and Fray Silvestre Velez de Escalante, who visited Utah Valley in 1776. During the nineteenth century, fur trappers and traders made the valley a temporary home. One of these trappers, Etienne Provost, is the namesake of Provo.

In 1858, thousands of Mormons moved into the area due to Indian uprisings in the Salt Lake Valley. James Buchanan sent troops to quiet the unrest. The Saints fled south, and a popular saying “Provo or hell” arose from this occasion. Provo remained the second largest city in Utah (behind Salt Lake) until it lost its bid as a transcontinental railroad stop to Ogden.

Brigham Young Academy was founded in 1857, growing into the largest church-affiliated university in the United States. Together, the university and city grew and attracted people from around the world. Today, there are around 400,000 people in Utah Valley, eighty-eight percent of which are Latter-day Saints, accounting for the largest population of Latter-day Saints in all of Utah’s counties.

4 Places You Must See in Utah Valley

The Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple

Located on the border between American Fork and Pleasant Grove, the Mount Timpanogos Temple was dedicated by Gordon B. Hinckley in 1996. It was built on a piece of land that was once a Church welfare farm in order to meet the temple service demands of members in the Utah Valley. Nearly identical to the Bountiful Temple, this temple takes its name from the beautiful towering mountain that serves as its backdrop.

Sundance Resort

Tucked away behind hills and meadows, Sundance is a quiet place where people come to get away from the stresses of life. As Ski magazine described it, Sundance is “a slow-paced family resort with a jet-set clientele.” Skiing enthusiasts from all around come to enjoy both the unique Sundance atmosphere and the challenging slopes. Equally as stunning in the summertime, Sundance offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fly-fishing.

Timpanogos Cave

This mountain highlight is a paved but strenuous one-and-a-half-mile hike to Timpanogos Cave. As you climb, you’ll gain 1,000 feet in the beautiful Wasatch Mountains for a great view of American Fork Canyon. Entering the cave at the top of the hike, enjoy the stalactites and stalagmites during a sixty-minute guided tour of the mineral rich cavern. There are three caverns, each displaying unique colors and formations. Even during the summer months, a jacket is recommended because of the cave’s chilly 45˚F temperature. The tours sell out quickly and tickets must be reserved by calling (801) 756-5239.

America’s Freedom Festival

Every year, one of the premier patriotic celebrations in America is held in Provo, Utah. America’s Freedom Festival, named by Destinations Magazine as one of America’s Top 100 Events, combines twenty-five annual events starting in March and ending with the Fourth of July Celebration, Stadium of Fire. The festival organization committee, a non-profit and non-political foundation made up of thousands of politicians, sponsors, and volunteers, works together to facilitate the festivities commemorating Independence Day and celebrating the American spirit. If you’re in Utah Valley during July, don’t miss the Stadium of Fire, which includes a production by top entertainers and a jaw-dropping fireworks show. Visit freedomfestival.org for more information.

For Water Lovers

The Saratoga Hot Springs, located near Utah Lake, are hot all year long. Fall, winter, and spring are the ideal seasons for visiting the springs since the summer’s heat makes the soak more uncomfortable than relaxing. However, during those hot days of summer you can cool off at Seven Peaks Water Park. With a wavepool, lazy river, the Tad Pole Pond, and over a dozen slides, you'll find something for everyone. Visit sevenpeaks.com for more information.

Mount Timpanogos

For the serious hiker, Mount Timpanogos has been the most popular mountain climbing destination in Utah for over fifty years. This majestic mountain, the second highest in the Wasatch Mountain Range, offers almost everything a hiker could wish for: an alpine lake, a glacier, waterfalls, mountain goats, and even the remains of a World War II bomber that crashed just north of the summit in the winter of 1955. If you want to lengthen your time on the trail, you can make this a two-day hike from American Fork Canyon all the way to Sundance Resort—just don’t forget to have a shuttle car on the other side. 

The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum

Located in Springville, this historic museum houses mementos and historical artifacts from pioneers who crossed the plains in the mid to late 1800s. Such items as clothing, furniture, handwork, musical instruments, photographs, histories, family group records, and handicrafts can be found in the museum. Local artisans perform tours upon request and show visitors how the pioneers made household items, which can be purchased in the gift shop.

Thanksgiving Point

Thanksgiving Point provides guests with an entertaining and educational experience; at nearly every turn there is a hands-on opportunity for discovery in the arts and sciences. They certainly were thinking about every type of person when they built a big red barn (containing a petting zoo) between a beautiful building (including boutiques and gourmet restaurants) and the famous North American Museum of Ancient Life (which includes the world’s largest dinosaur museum, sixty complete dinosaur replicas, and forty interactive exhibits for kids). If that wasn’t eclectic enough, consider the artistically groomed gardens and championship golf course that surround these venues and it will become obvious why this place is such a hit with visitors.

The Springville Museum of Art

Home for the visual fine arts, this museum is Utah’s oldest and perhaps most beautiful. The Spanish colonial revival-style building was completed in 1937 as an art museum. The permanent collection includes Utah, American, and Soviet art and there are also a variety of temporary exhibits. In the spring of each year the museum hosts the Spring Salon, a showcase for Utah artists. Admission is free.

LDS Living Magazine