Southern Utah’s national parks are world-class. Moab, a desert town on the Colorado river is a good basecamp for visiting Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, with their dramatic red rock landscapes and unforgettable hikes. Another option is to go further south to Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef, which are equally spectacular. If visiting parks, plan ahead for park passes, and note that Arches requires timed-entry reservations in October.
Jackson Hole is just a five hour drive north of Salt Lake City! Explore The Grand Tetons (Berkley's favorite National Park), and then keep heading north up to Yellowstone to see Old Faithful and spend quality time with the bison. We recommend purchasing or renting bear spray for these areas, but note that you cannot fly with the canister if purchasing. Plan ahead for lodging.
There are a few different routes you can take to get from Salt Lake City to Denver. Head southeast and spend a night in Grand Junction, then make your way through Vail or Aspen (with an option to stop by Breckenridge on both routes, as well) and finish the trip in Denver. Another option is to head out of Salt Lake by way of Park City, where you can drive six hours east for a stay in Steamboat Springs and then finish the drive out to Denver. Fly out of Denver's infamous airport, which has direct routes to most cities.