March 2026
In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education blog, we talk about optimizing your continuing education (CE) funds and seeing the sights of Utah. Join us June 19-21, 2026, in the heart of Salt Lake City, Utah, for the VETgirl U conference! Use, don’t lose those CE funds. Extend the trip and see the sights of Utah’s Big 5 and more. Check out some of our VETgirl’s (and guys) favorite spots near Salt Lake City below!

And don’t forget to snatch up those few remaining sets by registering for VETgirl U 2026 HERE!

CE and Sight Seeing at VETgirl U 2026


Do you get a CE budget? Don’t let it go to waste! Join us at VETgirl U 2026 in the heart of Salt Lake City (SLC) at the Grand America Hotel. VETgirl U is a bougie, boutique-style conference with great food, the best swag, and all that attention to detail to give our attendees and exhibitors the best experience for learning and playing! In fact, we encourage you to use those CE dollars to get your learn on and take some time for yourself to either collect R&R or play before or after. That’s one of the reasons why we pick a new destination every year that is close to cool city amenities, scenic destinations, or whatever suits your fancy! Here we, VETgirls (and guys) share our Salt Lake City and surrounding areas past adventures, hoping you explore the area when you join us at VETgirl U 2026! In fact, since we know this is one cool place to visit, we collected information about the “venue & area” page for reference HERE!


Utah, best known for its Big 5 National Parks (that is, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands—there are four unique sections, and Capital Reef), with so much to offer. Ski slopes, red rock formations, salty lakes, river rapids, white-barked Aspen forests, the history of America’s original peoples, and more are just a few of Utah’s attractions! If you’re seeking adventure, don’t forget about visiting its eight National Monuments (Grand Staircase-Escalante, Bears Ears, Hovenweep, Dinosaur, Cedar Breaks, Natural Bridges, Rainbow Bridge, and Timpanogos Cave). Fun fact: the primary difference between a National Park and a National Monument is that a National Park is created by Congress, while a National Monument is a generally smaller site of historical, cultural, or scientific significance designated by a President under the Antiquities Act. And great news! A few National Monuments are within just a few hours of Salt Lake City (Timpanogos Cave <1h)! Utah is an outdoorsman’s wonderland, offering all levels of explorers’ opportunity to take in Mother Nature’s wonders.

Canyoneering in Zion National Park (Image courtesy of Lauren Wenstad)

Utah also boasts many state parks worth swinging by, especially if you want to remain close to your SLC launching pad. Explore the Great Salt Lake State Park, which offers day use or overnight camping (including RV sites!). Popular for biking, metal detecting, hiking, and boat tours of the lake. Get your fill of fun in the sun, but wear sunscreen! Antelope Island State Park is under an hour away by car (rent one…don’t rely on rideshares here), and it offers reprieve from the city with mountain biking, backcountry trails, birding, and a historic ranch!

Able to wander a little further, check out Dinosaur National Monument – just over a 3-hour drive from SLC. Create your own scavenger hunt – see how many dinosaur fossils and petroglyphs you can find exposed in the cliff sides and rock formations (don’t forget to look for live critters!). This national monument also offers river rafting, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, biking, stargazing, and hiking.

Want to jump into a neighboring state? Crater of the Moon National Monument is just under a 4-hour drive north of SLC into neighboring Idaho. Known for this out-of-earth (yes, it is said to resemble the moon) experience, free from the light pollution of civilization, this is a star-gazer’s dreamland. Bring your telescopes and blankets when you book a night tour to admire the universe. Created by ancient volcanic activity, this monument offers hiking, stargazing, caverns (explore at your own risk!), camping, and fossil finding! Start out by swinging by the visitor center for a map, tour the exhibits, and learn about all this unique monument has to offer. Don’t leave before taking the 7-mile scenic Loop Road drive!

Perhaps you want to trace the historic Pony Express National Historic Trail west or dip into Nevada to visit the Great Basin National Park, a 4-ish hour drive away from SLC. These adventures offer caves, astronomy, hiking, scenic drives, landscapes, and history. There is something for just about everyone.

Upper Emerald Pool at Zion National Park (Image courtesy of Amanda M. Shelby)

Ok, back to the Big 5 – in just two weeks and with a rental car, you can see them all! Top Zion hikes from our VETgirls and guys: Emerald Pools, the Narrows, and Angel’s Landing. Jump over to Hike the Hoodoos in Bryce Canyon to find the benchmark survey markers and earn a reward at a visitor center. Be prepared for miles of hiking to see them all! As you cross the state, stop for lunch at Capital Reef—make sure to walk through the historic Mormon settlement, enjoy a slice of pie with homemade ice cream from the shop, and pick a ripe piece of fruit from the orchard in this desert oasis! Canyonlands National Park is unique in that it has four districts – the Needles District, Island in the Sky, the Maze, and the rivers. This park is a backpackers’ and ATV dreamland, but there are family-friendly hikes and adventures to be had. The Island in the Sky section is only about 20 minutes from Arches National Park and, of course, the hip town of Moab.

Bryce Canyon (Image courtesy of Amanda M. Shelby)

Of course, like with any travel, be prepared! If exploring outdoors, ensure you have plenty of water, sunscreen, pack appropriate shoes and patience! Keep tabs on weather systems and know before you go if there is cell reception or rideshare options. Many of these sites can be busy in June! Reservations, tickets, and limited or timed entry could be required. Do your homework and check out our VETgirls’ (and guy’s) Tips for travel:

Amanda Shelby, Senior CE Specialist: I subscribe to the Shaka Guide! Their narrated tours make the drives interesting and entertaining, and we get to see things out of the typical travel guidebooks.

Amy Johnson, Senior Manager CE: If exploring on foot, I use the AllTrails app to help choose and navigate trails—both online and offline. It’s also important to be properly prepared for any outdoor adventure and not get in over your head. Make sure you know the trail’s difficulty level and always bring your Ten Essentials. Don’t forget to take your VETgirl conference backpack along for the fun and snap a picture for us.

CE to see-it-all – Amy’s VETgirl conference backpack made it all the way to Havasu Falls! (Image courtesy of Amy Johnson)

Lauren Wenstad, Marketing Specialist: Utah has some incredible hikes, but preparation is key. I always bring layers, plenty of water, snacks, and good shoes. Starting early helps avoid crowds, and I rely on the AllTrails app (pro-tip: download your trail before you go) for trail info and hidden viewpoints.

Elkheart Cliffs Slot Canyon (Image courtesy of Lauren Wenstad)


Justine Lee, Director of Medicine: I LOVE the Natural History Museum of Utah in SLC – it’s the BEST dinosaur exhibit I’ve ever seen in my life. A top hit for my family. If you have the time, hit up nearby Moab. The hiking is incredible at Arches (you need a timed entry, which is available 90 days in advance) and Canyonlands. Our 8-year-old son loved it and hiked 6 miles in 2 days, which is a record for him. Our family still reflects that our Utah adventure was in our top 3 trips ever, which is why we picked this location for VETgirl U 2026!
PS We discovered that you need dinner reservations in SLC, as we weren’t organized enough, apparently!

Garret Pachtinger, Director of Operations: Plan one “anchor adventure” and one “reset moment.” Utah is packed with bucket-list views, but don’t overschedule yourself to the point that you need a vacation from the vacation. When not learning with the VETgirl community, hit a big landmark—like Zion or Bryce Canyon—and then carve out time to slow down, grab local coffee, wander without a timeline, or just enjoy the desert sunrise. Your legs, lungs, and sanity will thank you.

The Narrows, Zion National Park (Image courtesy of Lauren Wenstad)

Tracy Covert, Director of Marketing and Sales: For family fun, head to Boondocks in Draper—just a short drive from downtown. Enjoy great shopping at City Creek Center, and grab a bite at HallPass, a trendy food hall with something for everyone. For good beer and bites, Red Rock Brewing Co. never disappoints. And don’t miss a quick trip to Park City—ride the Alpine Slide and visit the Olympic Training Center for mountain adventure and great views.

And don’t forget to snatch up those few remaining sets by registering for VETgirl U 2026 HERE!


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