This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
This is shaping up to be a different kind of Thanksgiving holiday for those who love the outdoors, largely because the late arrival of winter.
Ski resorts are still scrambling to get open, waiting for cold enough temperatures to make their own snow and for the natural stuff to become deep enough to open runs.
That doesn't, however, mean that Utah outdoor lovers need to stay indoors for the holiday season. There is plenty to see and do, even close to home.
Here are 10 ideas for Wasatch Front residents who want to get outdoors this weekend.
1. Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge: While the visitor center is closed for the holiday, the 12-mile driving tour around the refuge west of Brigham City remains open from sunrise to sunset with a variety of bird watching opportunities. Right now, tundra swans are in the midst of their migration with thousands available to view.
2. Golden Spike National Historic Site: While closed on Thanksgiving Day, this site that celebrates the joining of the rails is open daily in the winter. Sign up for a ranger guided tour to see the historic engines, which are placed in storage in the winter for maintenance. Films, driving tours and walks are available. Take a quick stop at the ATK Rocket Display nearby or, if you have good tires, drive the dirt road to the Spiral Jetty.
3. Tracy Aviary: Though closed Thanksgiving Day, the aviary is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at Liberty Park. New exhibits make this one of the top facilities of its kind in the country with dozens of different types of birds to see.
4. Crystal Hot Springs: Think it's too cold to swim outdoors? Think again. Though closed for Thanksgiving, this classic hot springs resort north of Brigham City in Honeyville will offer extended hours Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and will be open Saturday and Sunday as well, with the water slides and hot pools in operation.
5. Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve: Want to enjoy a short winter hike with the possibility of seeing some birds? This Nature Conservancy area located just west of Layton is the place. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and has an outdoor visitor center, viewing tower and boardwalks across the marsh.
6. Hogle Zoo: Zoo animals don't go anywhere in the winter and on a sunny or snowy day, the zoo is always a fun family place to enjoy. The zoo is open daily from 9 to 5 p.m. except Christmas and New Years.
7. Antelope Island: Antelope Island State Park west of Syracuse offers amazing views of the ever changing Great Salt Lake ecoystem, history at the Fielding Garr Ranch, hiking trails, a visitor center, beaches and great winter wildlife viewing. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. but is closed on Thanksgiving Day.
8. Wheeler Farm: This Salt Lake County facility is open from dawn until dusk daily with walking trails and a chance for families to interact with the animals on the farm.
9. Farmington Bay: This state refuge located west of Farmington offers driving tours as well as an accessible nature walk. While the duck hunt is open, there are plenty of places to view birds and walk or even mountain bike along the dikes while viewing many types of wildlife.
10. Dimple Dell Park: This 646-acre Sandy park is often forgotten but is a great place for a winter hike or run with a number of trails at the bottom of a natural gully as well as some trailheads with rest rooms and parking facilities.