Visitor Information

For information on the state as a whole, as well as an official state map, contact the Utah Travel Council, 300 N. State St., Salt Lake City, UT 84114 (tel. 800/200-1160 or 801/538-1030; www.utah.com).

For information on Utah's national forests, contact the U.S. Forest Service Intermountain Region, 324 25th St., Ogden, UT 84401 (tel. 801/625-5306; www.fs.fed.us/r4). The best source for topographic and geological maps, as well as guidebooks and other outdoor recreation information, is the Natural Resources Map & Bookstore, 1594 W. North Temple (P.O. Box 146100), Salt Lake City, UT 84116-6100 (tel. 888/882-4627 or 801/537-3320; www.maps.state.ut.us). The Utah State Office of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is at 324 S. State St., Suite 301, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (tel. 801/539-4001; www.ut.blm.gov). For information on Utah's state parks, contact Utah State Parks and Recreation, 1594 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84114 (tel. 801/538-7220, or 800/322-3770 or 801/322-3770 for campground reservations; www.stateparks.utah.gov).

Eco-Tourism--The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines eco-tourism as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." Eco-friendly travel tips, statistics, touring companies, and associations are listed by destination under "Travel Choice" -- at the TIES website, www.ecotourism.org. Ecotravel.com, part online magazine and part eco-directory, lets you search touring companies by category: water-based, land-based, spiritually oriented, and so on. Also, Conservation International (www.conservation.org), which, with National Geographic Traveler, annually presents World Legacy Awards (www.wlaward.org) to those travel tour operators, businesses, organizations, and places that have made a significant contribution to sustainable tourism.

Destination: Utah -- Red Alert Checklist

Some attractions (such as military installations, and dams such as Flaming Gorge) have increased security. Call ahead for specifics.

If you plan to drive through the mountains in winter, be sure to check on possible road closures first.

If you purchased traveler's checks, have you recorded the check numbers, and stored the documentation separately from the checks?

Did you bring your ID cards that could entitle you to discounts such as AAA and AARP cards, student IDs, and so on?

Did you bring emergency drug prescriptions and extra glasses and/or contact lenses?

Did you check with your cellphone company about coverage in Utah? Many parts of the state outside major cities have limited or nonexistent coverage.

Did you leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home?