6 Serene Towns in Utah for a Weekend Retreat

Despite being called The Beehive State, Utah is not as busy as a bee. Of course, there are busy places in Utah, especially Salt Lake City, but in terms of total population and gross domestic product, Utah ranks about 30th out of 50 states. This makes it a paradise for someone looking for a serene weekend retreat. Small scenic towns surrounded by one-of-a-kind wonders are splashed across Utah. Here are six such communities to check out from Friday to Sunday.

Kanab

Since Kanab has over 1,000 residents (4,683 per the 2020 census), it is considered a city by Utah standards. But by many tourists' standards, Kanab is a serene small town gateway to extreme geographic serenity. From hotels like Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta Inn, and pet-pampering Best Friends Roadhouse, weekenders take short drives to Zion National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, three of Utah's top natural wonders. Moreover, because it is near the Arizona border, Kanab is a couple of hours from one of the world's leading natural wonders: the Grand Canyon.

After two days of exploring Red Rock country, visitors can finish their weekend in Kanab at relaxing sites like Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter for rescued pets and farm animals, and the Little Hollywood Movie Museum, which showcases the numerous movies and TV shows filmed in the area. 

Torrey

 Having under 1,000 residents, Torrey is a small town by all standards. Just over 200 people call this south-central community home, but many more people discover Torrey as they travel to Capitol Reef National Park, which preserves much of a 100-mile geological wonderland called the Waterpocket Fold. Motorists are wise to stop in the town for a bite at Slackers Burger Joint and a drink at The Wild Rabbit Cafe and then use it as a tranquil base to explore Capitol Reef's buttes, canyons, and monoliths. Accommodations include Torrey Schoolhouse B&B Inn, Motel Torrey, Red Sands Hotel and Spa, and Capitol Reef Resort.

Since it began as a Mormon pioneer town, Torrey has manmade wonders like the Torrey Log Church Schoolhouse, a log structure that was completed in 1898 and served as the first church building and schoolhouse in the community. 

Mantua

Mantua is a northern Utah town making a push toward city status. It had fewer than 700 residents in 2010 but climbed past 1,000 by 2020. It has not compromised serenity for growth, however, since nearly all of its attractions are rustic rather than commercial.

Mantua's biggest draw is Mantua Reservoir, a high-elevation artificial lake fed by natural springs that provides tourists with fish, views, and recreation like boating and kayaking. Campsites are offered at Box Elder Campground, RV sites and cabins at Mantua Waterfront RV Resort, and farmhouse-style lodgings at Mountain Valley Getaway. For those who want a standard hotel and non-camping food, Brigham City can be your bustling base for exploring not just quaint Mantua but the gigantic Great Salt Lake.

One thing that can break the serenity is a speeding ticket. Mantua has long been known as a speed trap, where excited motorists neglect to decelerate while driving past town and get slammed with a ticket. While this over-policing seems to have cooled in recent years, make sure to stick to the posted speed limit.

Vernal

Another Utah "city" that might soon become an unquoted city, Vernal, grew from fewer than 8,000 residents in 2000 to more than 10,000 in 2020. Still retaining small-town charm, the northeastern community has agricultural roots, historic buildings, cozy inns, a heritage museum, and hundreds of miles of adjoining woodland starting from Ashley Nature Park, crossing Ashley National Forest, and ending at Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area on the Wyoming border.

Beyond its historic haunts and bountiful wilderness, Vernal is a great place for the whole family, especially given its dino-based attractions. Adults and kids can tour Dinosaurland, the Vernal City Welcome Dinosaur, the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum, and stay at Dinosaur Inn & Suites. Best of all, Vernal is 20 minutes west of Dinosaur National Monument, a 210,000-acre prehistoric park on the Colorado border. Its highlight is the Wall of Bones, which displays roughly 1,500 dinosaur fossils.

Moab

With nearly 5,500 people, Moab is the largest community in Grand County. That low population density speaks to the serenity of the county, which contains Arches National Park and part of Canyonlands National Park, expansive preserves where you can see everything and hear nothing. Sights within the parks include Delicate Arch, a 60-foot-tall sandstone arch perched atop a cliff; Mesa Arch, a 27-foot-long arch that frames extraordinary views of the canyon; and The Maze, a range of Canyonlands characterized by zigzagging rock formations. Moab proper has its own share of splendid sites, such as the Moab Museum, Moab Rock Shop, Hogan Trading Company, Trailhead Public House and Eatery, and Thai Bella Moab. Almost as scenic as nearby natural landmarks, Moab's hotels range from semi-luxurious Gravity Haus to ultra-luxurious Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa.

Kamas

The fairest Utah town of them all is near Mirror Lake off the Mirror Lake Highway. Technically a city despite its tiny population, Kamas welcomes tourists with open arms and then shepherds them along the highest paved road in the state. After rising 10,000 feet above sea level, motorists marvel at the Uinta Mountains reflected in the aptly named lake. Thrill seekers can climb those picturesque peaks, while chill seekers can fish for iridescent trout at Mirror Lake or attain natural nirvana at Provo River Falls. Around 80 campsites are available at the foot of Bald Mountain, but overnighters who do not want bald accommodations can head back to Kamas and stay at Mirror Lake Retreat, which comprises a luxury barn and cabin. In-town attractions include Hi-Mountain, a highly rated hamburger joint; Summit Pizza Co, a pizza hotspot and ice cream coldspot; and DeJoria Center and State Road Tavern on High Star Ranch, a multi-multi-entertainment venue.

Discover Utah's Serenity

Utah, a relatively slow-moving and sparsely populated state, offers serene destinations for people planning a weekend retreat. Even though its sizeable cities can be considered peaceful, true Utah serenity is to be found in super-small communities. Naturally, these super-small communities have super-large attractions to get lost in - in a good way. Kanab has the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Torrey has the Waterpocket Fold, Mantua has the Mantua Reservoir, Vernal has the Dinosaur National Monument, Moab has The Maze, and Kamas has Mirror Lake. Which one will you choose first?