OnX Realty Is Thankful For You

Discover the Best Outdoor Activities in Utah County, Utah for 2025

Utah County, nestled in the heart of Utah, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. With Salt Lake City just to the north and wide open land dotted with small cities to the south, it's perfect in every way. Enjoying stunning mountain vistas, sprawling parks, and an array of recreational opportunities, it’s no wonder residents flock to the great outdoors. In this article, we’ll explore the best 14 outdoor activities for 2025, complete with specific locations and helpful websites.1. Hiking the Y Trail**Pin:** Trailhead **Website:** (https://www.provo.org/)The Y Trail is a beloved hike in Provo that leads to the iconic “Y” emblem on the mountain. Spanning approximately 2.5 miles, this moderately challenging hike offers breathtaking views of Provo and the surrounding mountains. It’s an ideal spot for families and hikers of all skill levels.2. Mountain Biking at Draper City Trails (Corner Canyon)**Pin:** Corner Canyon Trailhead **Website:** (https://www.draperutah.gov/)Draper is known for its expansive trail system that caters to mountain bikers. With over 100 miles of trails, riders can enjoy everything from smooth, flowing single tracks to technical descents. Get ready to pedal and ear the downhills, or take the more gradual trails if you're newer to the sport. The Corner Canyon trailhead is the best spot to start your adventure!3. Fishing at Utah Lake State Park**Pin:** Utah Lake State Park Map Location**Website:** (https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/utah-lake/)Utah Lake is a prime fishing spot, home to species like bass, trout, and catfish. The State Park provides access to the lake, picnic areas, and a boat launch. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a novice, the serene waters are perfect for a day of fishing.4. Rock Climbing at Rock Canyon**Pin:** Rock Canyon **Website:** (https://www.provo.org/)Against the eastern mountain slopes of Utah County, Rock Canyon is a legendary rock climbing destination. Featuring thousands of climbing routes, both sport and trad, it's perfect for all levels. Rappel down the stunning rock formations and enjoy nature at its finest.5. Kayaking on Strawberry Reservoir**Pin:** Chicken Creek East **Website:** (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recarea/?recid=34944)Strawberry Reservoir is ideal for kayaking and paddleboarding. Its calm waters surrounded by incredible scenery make for a delightful day on the lake. Rent equipment or bring your own and explore the pristine waters and ample wildlife.6. Skiing at Sundance Mountain Resort**Pin:** Sundance Resort **Website:** (https://www.sundanceresort.com/)Sundance Mountain Resort transforms into a winter wonderland each winter season. Only 15 minutes from Provo with 42 runs spanning 450 acres, it offers skiing and snowboarding for all skill levels. Plus, the cozy atmosphere and stunning mountain scenery make for an unforgettable experience. No need to go to see the Swiss Alps, just come up and walk around at Sundance in April or May to see the green grass, colorful wildflowers and snow-capped towering peaks.7. Camping at Tibble Fork Reservoir**Pin:** Tibble Fork Reservoir **Website:** (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recarea/?recid=35258)American Fork canyon is one of the prettiest canyons around. Part way up, take a left at the fork and you're in for a wonderful surprise. Tibble Fork Reservoir provides campers with breathtaking views and plenty of recreational opportunities. There are plenty of campsites for overnight and day use depending on your schedule. Camp alongside the sparkling waters, go hiking, or even try your hand at paddleboarding. It’s an excellent spot for families looking to immerse themselves in nature.8. Horseback Riding in American Fork Canyon**Pin:** Horse Flat Trailhead **Website:** (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recarea/?recid=34940)Explore the stunning American Fork Canyon on horseback. We highly recommend the month of September to see the changing fall colors high in the mountains. Several local outfitters offer guided tours through the breathtaking landscapes, making it an adventure for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages.9. ATV Riding at Five Mile Pass**Pin:** Five Mile Pass **Website:** (https://utah.com/5-mile-pass)Five Mile Pass is a popular destination for ATV and off-road enthusiasts. With miles of trails and diverse terrain, it's an adrenaline-pumping way to explore the beautiful Utah landscape. Rentals and guided tours are available.10. Nature Trails at Payson Lakes**Pin:** Payson Lakes Campground **Website:** (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recarea/?recid=35735)Payson Lakes is a hidden gem for nature lovers. The tranquil lakes and surrounding forests provide the perfect backdrop for hiking, picnicking, or bird watching. It's also very calming if you want to paddle out in a kayak and listen to the wind gently pass through the pine trees and feel the cool summer breezes. The scenic trails wind through lush greenery, making it a serene escape.11. Disc Golf at Liberty Park**Pin:** Liberty Park, SLC **Website:** (https://www.provo.org/)Liberty Park in Salt Lake City hosts a fantastic disc golf course that appeals to disc golf enthusiasts and newcomers alike. It's Utah's version of Central Park in NYC. Surrounding the well-kept park is the hustle and bustle of local shops and eateries while you relax in a friendly and comfortable setting of trees, monuments and picnicing sun bathers. The 18-hole course is set in this beautiful park environment, providing you with a fun and relaxing outdoor activity.12. Wildlife Viewing at the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area**Pin:** Waterfowl Mgmt Area **Website:** (https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/farmington-bay/)Birdsong and the buzz of bees will accompany you as you explore the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. A prime spot for birdwatching, this area is an excellent place to view migratory birds and local wildlife. Bring your binoculars!13. Boating on Deer Creek Reservoir**Location:** Deer Creek State Park **Website:** (http://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/deer-creek/)Deer Creek Reservoir is perfect for summertime fun! The cool deep water is just what you need on a hot day. Go boating, wake surfing, jet skiing or take the kayaks for a spin along the shore. There are several places to dock or beach watercraft around the lake, as well as some moderate cliff jumping for the really adventurous. Take a trip into Midway after a day on the lake and enjoy some great one-off reastaurants and incredible mountain town scenery.14. Cycle over the Alpine Loop**Location:** Alpine Loop Scenic Hwy **Website:** (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recarea/?recid=9885)Stretch your legs and get your heart pumping with an extremely rewarding ride beginning at the Canyon Pit Stop gas station at the base of Provo Canyon. Take the Murdock Canal trail north to the mouth of American Fork Canyon and begin an incredibly beautiful ascent up to the summit under Aspen, Pine and Maple trees with vistas that you simply wouldn't expect. After the heart pounding exercise comes dessert as you glide down the Sundance side of the loop and take in the views from the south leading your past mountain cabins, towering peaks, and the Sundance Mountain Resort all the way into Provo Canyon. As you follow the canyon road for a short bit reaching Vivian Park, connect onto the docile Provo Parkway Trail that leads you right back to your starting place.### ConclusionUtah County's outdoor activities in 2025 offer something for everyone—whether you’re an adrenaline seeker, a nature lover, or simply looking to unwind. With locations ranging from majestic mountains to serene lakes, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the stunning Utah landscape. Gather your family and friends, pack your gear, and get ready to embrace the great outdoors!

Real Estate Market Outlook for 2026: Regional and Asset-Class Perspectives

Real Estate Market Outlook for 2026: Regional and Asset-Class Perspectives As we approach 2026, a growing number of expert analyses collectively suggest a cautious but improving real estate market. Below is a regional breakdown of anticipated trends, along with performance expectations for major asset classes. National Snapshot: Modest Gains and Gradual Recovery National home price gains are expected to be modest, with Realtor.com projecting a 2.2% increase in median home prices, while existing-home sales rise 1.7% to around 4.13 million units (realtor.com). Affordability will see measurable improvement: mortgage rates are expected to average 6.3%, and the share of income devoted to mortgage payments is forecast to fall to 29.3%—below the 30% threshold for the first time since 2022 (realtor.com). A Reuters poll emphasizes this moderation, forecasting 1.4% home price growth and ~6.18% mortgage rates in 2026, the slowest pace of appreciation in 14 years (reuters.com). The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) offers a brighter scenario—expected 14% increase in existing-home sales and ~4% rise in prices, propelled by easing mortgage rates, ongoing job gains, and rising inventory (nar.realtor). Regional Forecasts: Winners and Caution Zones Northeast & Midwest (“Refuge Markets”) Hartford (East/West), CT; Rochester, NY; Worcester, MA; Toledo, OH; Providence–Warwick, RI; Richmond, VA are expected to outperform thanks to relative affordability, high equity growth, and stable demand. Forecasts cite home price growth as high as 17.1% in Hartford, 15.5% in Rochester, and 15% in Worcester (nypost.com). Toledo, OH projects ~13.1% price growth; Syracuse, NY, 12.4%; Scranton, PA, 10.9% (barrons.com). Fairfield County, CT (e.g., Stamford, Bridgeport, Norwalk, Greenwich) could become one of the hottest markets in 2026, with Realtor.com forecasting a 6.9% rise in home prices and strong buyer demand driven by proximity to NYC (ctinsider.com). Sun Belt & Texas Cooling Sun Belt markets like Austin and San Antonio are expected to cool. Redfin describes a “Great Housing Reset”, with these areas seeing declining interest due to insurance costs, natural disaster concerns, and reversing remote‑work trends (mysanantonio.com). Salt Lake City & Mountain West Salt Lake City is forecast to see ~2% price rise and a 4% increase in home sales in 2026, as inventory improves and affordability gently recovers (axios.com). Additionally, Salt Lake City makes NAR’s “top 10 housing hot spots” list due to favorable economics and demand drivers (nar.realtor). National Hot Spots NAR identifies these Top 10 housing hot spots for 2026 (alphabetical): Charleston, SC Charlotte, NC–SC Columbus, OH Indianapolis, IN Jacksonville, FL Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN–WI Raleigh, NC Richmond, VA Salt Lake City, UT Spokane, WA (nar.realtor) Additionally, NAR projects ~1.3 million new jobs in 2026, further supporting housing demand (nar.realtor). Regional Investment Sentiment (Commercial Markets) According to PwC and Urban Land Institute’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2026 report: Dallas/Fort Worth leads as the top primary real estate market. Southeast, South Central, and Northeast have higher-than-average prospects; Midwest and West lag behind (pwc.com). Detailed breakdown: Primary Markets: Dallas/Fort Worth, NYC metro areas, Houston, Atlanta, Orange County, Chicago, Philadelphia score strongly (pwc.com). Southeast: Miami, Raleigh/Durham, Charleston, Tallahassee stand out for affordability and job/income growth (pwc.com). South Central: Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston receive strong interest—especially industrial and retail—but Austin drops due to affordability constraints (pwc.com). Northeast: NYC boroughs, Northern New Jersey, Jersey City rise in ranking; Providence and Hartford trail at the bottom (pwc.com). Midwest: Detroit leads; Madison and Chicago strengthen; others like Cincinnati slip (pwc.com). West: Overall weakest region. Phoenix and Orange County make top 20; Salt Lake City falls; Bay Area markets like San Francisco and San José show improvement (pwc.com). Asset Classes: Residential and Commercial Insights Residential Housing Single-family homes: Modest national growth (2–4%), with regional disparities (strong growth in refuge markets; cooling in Sun Belt and parts of Texas/Florida) (realtor.com). Rentals: Rents are forecast to soften ~1% nationally, particularly in the South and West due to increased multifamily supply and vacancy normalization (mediaroom.realtor.com). Commercial Real Estate Investor interest remains strong: ~75% of global respondents plan to increase real estate investment over the next 12–18 months, citing inflation hedging, diversification, and stability (deloitte.com). The U.S. remains the top investment destination, with asset managers holding considerable dry powder and new policy potentially unlocking $12 trillion via retirement accounts (deloitte.com). Sector outlook from Colliers’ “CRE Reset” report points to shifting dynamics across office, industrial, retail, multifamily, data centers, healthcare, life sciences, and hospitality—but no summary forecast is publicly available without downloading (colliers.com). Cushman & Wakefield sees the commercial market transitioning from resilience to optimism, supported by AI investment, lower rates, and stable GDP growth (1.5–2%), even if job growth remains modest (cushmanwakefield.com). Summary Table: Regional Highlights Northeast / Midwest (refuge markets): Strong price gains (10%–17%) Fairfield County, CT: ~6.9% price growth Salt Lake City: ~2% price growth; in top hot‑spot list Sun Belt / Texas (Austin, San Antonio): Cooling, potential price declines NAR Top 10 Hot Spots: Diverse metros with affordability, job, and inventory advantages Commercial markets: Dallas/Fort Worth, Southeast, and Northeast lead; West lags; U.S. remains top global investment hub Final Thoughts 2026 is shaping up to be a year marked by balanced recovery, but the landscape is uneven: A modest national rebound in sales and prices, with meaningful affordability improvements. Certain regions—including Midwest and Northeast affordability havens—are set to outperform. Sun Belt metros may underperform due to cooling demand and climate/insurance concerns. In commercial real estate, investor appetite remains robust, with capital flowing toward markets and sectors with resilience and long-term promise. For readers seeking more insight, I recommend exploring the full reports from: Realtor.com’s 2026 housing forecast NAR’s 2026 forecast summit and hot‑spots report PwC/ULI’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2026 Colliers’ CRE Reset: Stability Through Uncertainty Cushman & Wakefield’s U.S. Outlook 2026 I hope this helps you understand the outlook for U.S. real estate in 2026 across regions and asset classes, with insight grounded in diverse expert analyses and data. Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into any particular metro or sector!