What to Pack For a Summer Trip to Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City’s high elevation and extreme aridity can cause a host of discomforts for first time visitors.  So make sure to add the following items to your packing list to make your summer visit to Salt Lake City more enjoyable.

Lip Balm with SPF

Salt Lake City’s extremely hot and dry climate can dry out your lips faster than it takes to get from the airport to your downtown hotel.  Pick a lip balm with SPF to also protect you from that high altitude sun.

Sunscreen

Salt Lake City sits at 4,327 feet above sea level and it is a lot easier to get sunburned at higher altitudes because there is less of the Earth’s atmosphere to block those harmful UV rays.  The elevation of many of the popular hiking trails will take you well over 8000 feet so you will definitely need a high SPF sunscreen to keep you unscathed from the sun’s rays.

Hat

A good wide-brimmed hat can honestly save your head during Salt Lake City’s eternally sunny summer days.  Wearing a hat around town while checking out the city sights will keep you happily shaded in the blistery mid-day sun.

Saline Nose Spray

Kind of a strange thing to pack for a vacation, but saline nose spray is one of my favorite tools to combat Utah dryness.  I’ve lived here for 9 years, but am still not totally used to the dryness.  A couple sprays a day will keep you free from nose bleeds and uncomfortable nasal dryness.

Hydration Pack and Water Bottle

Keeping hydrated is very important in arid climates and at altitude.  Since Salt Lake City has both of these you are going to want easy access to water at all times.  Consider packing along a hydration daypack if you plan on hiking or biking and a reusable water bottle for touring around town.

This list might make Salt Lake City sound miserable but the city’s guaranteed sunny days, gorgeous mountains, and unlimited outdoor recreation makes it easy to deal with a little dryness.

[Photos courtesy of whateva87, John-Morgan, and slcurban]