In this guide, I cover everything you need to know about Utah's time zone, with helpful insights into the state's culture, geography, and historical roots.

Tip: I recommend booking the hotel before you go.

Table of Contents

Utah Overview

Nicknamed "The Beehive State", Utah became the 45th state in the U.S. on January 4, 1896. It's located in the western United States and ranks as the 13th largest state by land area.

Utah’s capital and largest city is Salt Lake City, home to about 190,000 residents. The city is also the headquarters of the Mormon Church, with over 60% of the state’s population belonging to the Mormon faith.

The state is famed for its diverse landscapes—including canyons, deserts, wetlands, forests, and over 95,000 acres of parkland. Its five national parks attract millions of visitors, making tourism a vital industry alongside mining and petroleum.

What Time Zone Is Utah In?

Utah is entirely within the Mountain Time Zone (MT). It is one of only five U.S. states that are fully contained in this zone.

This means no matter where you are in Utah—from Moab to Ogden—you’ll be on Mountain Time.

Time Zone Basics & History

Before the 1880s, people used the sun’s position to tell time. Noon occurred when the sun was directly overhead, leading to different times in every town. This created problems for scheduling, especially with the growth of railroads and telecommunication.

  • In November 1883, the U.S. introduced four major time zones: Pacific, Mountain, Central, and Eastern.
  • Utah was placed in the Mountain Time Zone due to its western geographic location.
  • The Uniform Time Act of 1966 later standardized time zones and established rules for daylight saving time.

Mountain Time Zone Explained

Utah follows the Mountain Time Zone in two formats:

Time Format Description UTC Offset
Mountain Standard Time (MST) Used from November to March UTC -7
Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) Used during daylight saving (March to November) UTC -6

Note: Clocks "spring forward" one hour in March and "fall back" in November.

Daylight Saving Time in Utah

Yes, Utah follows Daylight Saving Time (DST) just like most U.S. states.

  • Starts: Second Sunday in March
  • Ends: First Sunday in November
  • During this time, the state switches from MST to MDT.

Background: DST was established by the Uniform Time Act of 1966 and adjusted in 2005 to extend its duration under the Energy Policy Act.

Where Else Uses Mountain Time?

The Mountain Time Zone includes more than just Utah. Here's where it applies:

  • Fully observed in: Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah
  • Partially observed in: Arizona (non-DST), Texas, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas
  • Internationally observed in:
    • Parts of Canada
    • Parts of Mexico

Fun fact: Utah ranks as the top U.S. state for charitable giving, thanks in part to religious tithing among Mormon residents.

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