Self-Guided Salt Lake City Scavenger Hunt: Salt Lake’s Settlers

If you’re looking for a way to experience Salt Lake City beyond the usual sightseeing tours, this self-guided scavenger hunt might just be what you need. Designed to be done at your own pace using your smartphone, it offers a practical, interactive approach to uncovering both well-known sites and lesser-known spots around the city. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends, family, or colleagues, it’s a clever way to make your visit more engaging.

What caught our eye about this experience? First, the flexibility to start and pause whenever it suits you makes it perfect for fitting into busy schedules. Second, the interactive element—with photo challenges and role choices—adds a bit of fun and friendly competition. However, a quick note of caution: since it’s entirely self-guided, there’s no dedicated guide to answer questions along the way, so a bit of preparation helps.

This adventure works best for those who love exploring at their own pace, enjoy a touch of playful competition, and want a cost-effective way to learn about Salt Lake City’s history and culture. It’s well-suited for groups that appreciate a little independence and an active outing without the need for a formal tour guide.

Key Points

• Flexible Timing: Start and stop the hunt whenever it fits your day.
• Affordable Fun: At just over $12 per person, it offers great value for a two-hour activity.
• Interactive Challenges: Complete photo and trivia challenges tailored to your role.
• Learning on the Go: Discover art, history, and culture through clues and trivia.
• No Guided Tour: It’s self-directed, so you’re responsible for navigation and timing.
• Ideal for Casual Explorers: Perfect for those who want a relaxed, fun way to see Salt Lake City.

How the Salt Lake’s Settlers Scavenger Hunt Works

This activity is a refreshing departure from traditional sightseeing. Instead of a guided bus or walking tour, you download an app (provided as part of your booking), which turns your smartphone into a map, quiz master, and photo booth. It’s an activity you can complete at your own pace—starting when you want and stopping whenever you need a break.

The journey takes you through Salt Lake City’s landmarks, art, and hidden points of interest. The clues are designed to be engaging and educational, giving you snippets of Salt Lake’s history and culture. Along the way, you’ll be challenged with photo tasks that add a goofy element to the outing—think silly poses or creative compositions. This makes it great for sharing on social media or just for a good laugh with your group.

One thing we like about this setup is the role selection—you can choose to be a Braniac, Photographer, or Mapper, which adds a layer of personalization. Whether you’re a trivia whiz, a shutterbug, or someone who loves navigation, you’ll find a role that suits your style. The app keeps score and displays leaderboards, giving you that little competitive spark.

What to Expect During Your Adventure

Starting point is conveniently located at 320 E Capitol St, Salt Lake City, a central spot that’s easy to access via public transportation. The activity lasts around 2 hours, but you set the pace, so you can extend or shorten your exploration based on your day.

Once you start, you’ll receive instructions on downloading the app and how to begin. The app features maps, riddles, and photo challenges. As you walk through Salt Lake City, you’ll visit some well-known landmarks, learning fun facts along the way. As a reviewer pointed out, “It’s nice to see the town” in a different way, with a bit of friendly competition involved.

The challenges are varied—some involve answering questions about the city’s art and history, others focus on taking creative photos. The digital copies of your photos are included, so you’ll have souvenirs to look back on. It’s a relaxed activity, with the flexibility to stop for a snack, photo, or quick break.

Since the tour is entirely self-guided, having a fully charged phone is essential—consider bringing a power bank. The app supports chat, email, and phone support, so help is available if you encounter any issues.

Price and Value

At $12.31 per person, this scavenger hunt is a wallet-friendly option for a fun outing. Compared to traditional guided tours that can cost quite a bit more, this experience offers excellent value, particularly because it includes access to the app, photo challenges, and digital souvenirs.

You’re paying mainly for the interactive experience and the opportunity to explore at your own pace rather than a guide’s commentary. If you enjoy casual, activity-based exploration and don’t mind doing a little reading and walking on your own, this is a smart choice. It’s perfect as a standalone activity or as part of a broader day of sightseeing.

The Experience in Detail: What You’re Likely to See and Do

The route is designed to highlight the art, history, and culture of Salt Lake City, but the exact stops aren’t specified in detail. From the overview, you can expect to visit “art and historical landmarks” and lesser-known points of interest. The clues and challenges are meant to be engaging rather than exhaustive, so you might find yourself discovering hidden murals or interesting plaques you wouldn’t have noticed on a typical tour.

One of the reviews mentions that “the hunt was nice to see the town,” and that it was used as a team retreat—indicating that the experience is not only educational but also social. It encourages a bit of friendly rivalry, with the leaderboard to track who’s leading the pack.

The activity ends back at the start point, making logistics straightforward. The open hours are generous, running from early morning to late evening, so you can plan your adventure around your schedule. Whether you prefer a morning stroll or an evening adventure, you’ll find the timing flexible.

Who Will Love This?

This scavenger hunt suits travelers who enjoy interactive, independent experiences without the structure of a guided group. It’s a good fit for those comfortable navigating on their own and who want to incorporate some fun, active exploration into their visit. It’s especially suitable for small groups, friends, and families who want a relaxed, playful way to see the city.

Since the activity is not guided, it’s best for people who can handle their own navigation and who are okay with a bit of reading and walking. It’s not ideal for those seeking a detailed guided commentary or for travelers who prefer fully curated tours.

The Bottom Line

If you’re after a pocket-friendly, flexible way to explore Salt Lake City, this self-guided scavenger hunt offers a memorable mix of education, fun, and adventure. The ability to customize your pace makes it particularly attractive for travelers with busy or unpredictable schedules. The app-based challenges inject some playful competition into sightseeing, giving you a fresh perspective on the city’s art and history.

Just remember that since it’s self-guided, you’ll need a charged device and a bit of independence. The reviews suggest that the experience is highly engaging, with knowledgeable challenges that keep everyone interested. It’s a solid choice if you’re ready to turn your standard sightseeing into a lively, interactive quest.

FAQs

Is this activity suitable for families?
There’s no minimum age requirement, so it can be suitable for families with children, especially if they enjoy scavenger hunts and outdoor exploration.

Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, it’s recommended to book about 22 days in advance, which helps secure your preferred start time and ensures the activity is ready for you.

What do I need to bring?
A fully charged smartphone is essential, along with weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. A power bank might be handy if your device needs extra juice.

Can I start the scavenger hunt at any time?
Absolutely. Since it’s a self-guided activity, you can begin whenever it’s convenient for you during the hours of 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

Are there any additional costs involved?
No, all taxes, fees, and handling charges are included. However, food, drinks, or attraction fees are not covered and would be on your own.

Is there support available during the activity?
Yes, support via phone, email, or chat is included if you encounter issues with the app or need assistance.

How long does the activity last?
Approximately 2 hours, but you can adjust the timing based on your pace and interests.

Are there any specific physical requirements?
A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended, as you will be walking around the city.

What landmarks or areas will I visit?
The exact landmarks aren’t specified, but you’ll explore art, historical sites, and some lesser-known points of interest around Salt Lake City.

What makes this scavenger hunt different from traditional tours?
It’s entirely self-guided, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace, with interactive photo challenges and trivia to keep things lively.

In all, this Salt Lake City scavenger hunt is a smart, engaging way to see the city without the pressure of a guided tour or the expense of a bus ride. It’s best suited for curious explorers who enjoy a bit of friendly competition and want to uncover Salt Lake’s stories on their own terms.