I live in Utah and think these 5 underrated outdoor spots rival the 'Mighty 5' national parks

I love Utah's five national parks, but I think the state has other outdoor spots that are better.

Gentry Hale I'm from Utah and love its five national parks , but I think other spots are worth visiting too.

For example, the San Rafael Swell has stunning views of sandstone cliffs — without large crowds.

Snow Canyon State Park is another alternative that offers amazing landscapes.

As a Utah native, I know that the state's five US national parks — Zion, Bryce Canyon , Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands — are full of jaw-dropping views.

However, their popularity can make it easy to overlook Utah's other breathtaking outdoor spots.

These national parks, known as the " Mighty 5 ," are each worth visiting, as they are home to beautiful landscapes and incredible rock formations.

But they come with one downside: together, they draw about 15 million visitors each year.

So, when people tell me they want to experience the geological wonders of Utah's national parks, I let them in on a little secret: there are plenty of outdoor destinations that rival the "Mighty 5" without the crowds.

Here are some of my favorites.

Goblin Valley feels like another planet. stellalevi/Getty Images Even though Bryce Canyon National Park is known for having the world's largest collection of hoodoos — tall, skinny rock formations that were sculpted by water and wind erosion — it's not the only place to find otherworldly landscapes.

In Goblin Valley State Park, located an hour-and-a-half drive from Moab, Utah, there are thousands of bizarre, square sandstone structures.

I love wandering through the fields of these stone figures, but the park also offers hiking, camping, mountain biking , and other activities.

A bonus: whenever I've visited, the crowds haven't been overwhelming.