BYU NewsNet - Springtime Adventures

Though the ground was covered in snow earlier this week, most students are eagerly awaiting warmer weather. According to weather.com, the average high temperature in April is 64 degrees. As temperatures rise, outdoor activities become more popular. Many national parks and other recreational areas start their extended hours in March, providing more time for visitors to enjoy the outdoors. No matter your activity or destination, be sure to bring plenty of water, friends and get ready to enjoy the outdoors.

Moab

Down south, Moab is usually 10 degrees warmer than Provo, providing the perfect weekend getaway just three hours away. Moab offers many activities as well as access to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Dead Horse Point. Visitors can ride mountain bikes down Slick Rock Trail, head down whitewater rapids or hike to massive stone arches.

Admission to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks is $10 each for car access to the park for seven days. A $25 pass for all local national parks is also available. The park boasts many scenic drives. Make sure to bring plenty of water for hikes and bike trips.

Moab has many motels and camping spots available for weekend stays. The Lazy Lizard International Hostel provides accommodations ranging from dormitories, camping and cabins. Prices range from $6 to $28 per person. Prices are lower for groups.

Provo Canyon

One of students' favorite spring pastimes in Provo is floating down the Provo River. After this year's good snowpack, students can expect high water levels in the late spring and summer. Students can bring their own tubes and plan their own trip or book a two-hour float trip with High Country Rafting for $10.

Students can bike the Provo River parkway from Utah Lake to Vivian Park in Provo Canyon. The path is fully paved and great for biking and roller-blading. Bikers can also find trails starting in Canyon Glen and Nunns Park. The Great Western Trail provides access to various trails that cater to horseback riders, bikers, hikers and off-road vehicles. The trail extends from Canada to Mexico, including Provo Canyon.

Provo Canyon is also home to waterfalls, including Bridal Veil Falls. Visitors can hike up to the foot of the falls and travel along one of many trails that begin in the area.

Hot Springs

Utah has more than 100 hot springs throughout the state, including some in Midway and around Heber City. Going to hot springs have become a popular pastime for students. The temperature of hot springs can vary by up to 30 degrees between each other, making them the perfect getaway during any weather. However, visitors to all hot springs should keep in mind as they approach that at many springs clothing is optional.

Fifth Water Hot Springs is located in Diamond Fork Canyon near Spanish Fork. Visitors take a one-hour hike to the springs, which include many pools and waterfalls.

There are dozens of hot springs around Midway, which is located on the other end of Provo Canyon. The largest and most well known is Homestead Crater, which is also part of the Homestead Resort. The resort offers 40-minute swims in the crater for $11 or $16 and scuba experiences for $75 to $100. Still, many hot springs are not commercially owned in the surrounding area.

When visiting any hot springs, be sure to use legal parking lots as police have been known to patrol many of these areas tow vehicles.

Timpanogos

Hiking to the top of Mt. Timpanogos is an all-day journey. The 16-mile trek takes eight hours, but provides great views of the area as well as local wildlife. The two most popular trails start near Aspen Grove and the Timpooneke campground. The Timpooneke trail is approximately one mile longer than the Aspen Grove trail.

Timpanogos Cave opens on May 10 for the summer. The National Parks Service provides cave tours for $7 per person. The tours are popular, and visitors can call ahead and reserve tickets for an extra 50 cents per ticket. The cave also has an Introduction to Caving tour available for adults who wish to learn more about exploring caves on their own. The caving tour is $15 per person with five people touring the caves at a time. The cave's entrance is in American Fork Canyon, which requires an extra $3 entrance fee per car.