Utah Valley is in Utah's Wasatch Range. Most cities are between Utah Lake and the mountains, along the main I-15 corridor.
A car is generally needed in Utah Valley. There is some public transportation (bus and very limited light rail). Sundance Resort in Provo Canyon is the only mountain area accessible by public transportation.
Some people water ski and fish on Utah Lake. Unfortunately, the water is very polluted, so be careful to avoid drinking any water if you fall in and think twice about eating fish caught from the lake.