45 miles S of Salt Lake City, 258 miles NE of St. George
The second-largest metropolitan area in Utah, Provo (elevation 4,500 ft.) and its adjacent communities have a population of over 350,000. The main draw here is Brigham Young University, with its museums, cultural events, and spectator sports. Provo also makes a good base for exploring the nearby mountains, Timpanogos Cave National Monument, and the quite spectacular gardens and other attractions at Thanksgiving Point in nearby Lehi. The Ute Indian tribe reigned here until Mormon leader Brigham Young sent 30 families south from Salt Lake City in March 1849 to colonize the area. Today, the city remains primarily Mormon; many restaurants, stores, and attractions are closed Sundays.
South of Provo lies Springville, a town of about 25,000 that likes to refer to itself as "Utah's Art City." Although not a major tourist destination, it is home to one of the state's finest art museums. Orem, which abuts Provo on the northwest, is a tech industry hub. Utah Lake State Park, just west of downtown Provo, is great for boating, and the surrounding Wasatch Mountains abound with natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
