7 Adorable Small Towns In Utah
Utah, “The Beehive State,” is located in the western United States and bordered by Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, New Mexico, and Arizona. In addition to being the home of Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, Utah has stunning natural wonders, thriving cities, and charming small towns. While there are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of picturesque little towns sprinkled all across Utah, we have come up with a list of seven of the most adorable small communities in the state. Each and every one of these postcard-pretty towns are worth a visit on your next trip to Utah.
Eden
Given its name, you might expect the tiny village of Eden (population 700) to look like paradise, and it definitely comes close! Set in the Ogden Valley of northern Utah, between the north and middle forks of the Ogden River and the Pineview Reservoir, and surrounded by mountain peaks, Eden offers spectacular views in every direction. Eden sits at an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet and is within 15 miles of three world-class ski resorts: Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, and Nordic Valley. Outside of ski season, visitors and locals alike flock to Pineview Reservoir for canoeing, fishing, and more. Amidst all this beauty and activity, the village maintains a quaint charm that is well worth experiencing.
Garden City
Garden City, a small town of about 600 tucked away in northern Utah, has earned what sounds like an odd nickname: “The Caribbean of the Rockies.” Why? Because of the stunningly blue water of the adjacent Bear Lake. Tourists come by the thousands each summer to experience the clear water and fine sandy beaches. Another big annual draw, and one more befitting the town’s name, is the Garden City Raspberry Festival each August. As a family-friendly beach destination, the town has several fun eateries including Bear Lake Pizza, Bear Cave Drive-In, and Caribbean Custard & Italian Ice. Garden City is a lovely little community that is sure to put a smile on your face!
Kamas
The town of Kamas is called the “Gateway to the Uintas” because of its proximity to that mountain range in northeastern Utah. With the Wasatch Mountains also nearby, Kamas offers spectacular views and serves as a good base of operations for exploring mountain trails. The picturesque Mirror Lake Highway, which runs for 42 from Kamas to Evanston, Wyoming, is a popular path for bicyclists and bike races. As befitting its history as a cattle ranching town, Kamas hosts a popular annual rodeo as part of its annual Fiesta Days, held each July. Kamas’ 2,200 residents love to welcome visitors and show off their historic, charming, and lovely little town.
Kanab
Located right near the border with Arizona, Kanab is nicknamed “Utah’s Little Hollywood,” but it is not full of glitz and glamor. Rather, Kanab (population 5,000) is a quaint little town that has been a filming site for countless Hollywood films, particularly Westerns, because of the spectacular landscape that surrounds it. The cliffs, mesas, and soil have a distinctive red tinge that gives Kamas a slightly otherworldly feel. The town is also centrally-located among an amazing number of natural landmarks, including Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon (North Rim), Zion National Park, Pipe Spring National Monument, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Lake Powell, and Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.
Midway
Midway earned its name because it is located in the middle of an agricultural area in the Heber Valley, on the other side of the Wasatch Mountains from Salt Lake City. Midway (population 5,000) has a unique European feel to it, partly because many early immigrants were German, and partly due to the landscape’s resemblance to the Swiss Alps. Appropriately enough, Midway hosted Nordic skiing events during the 2002 Winter Olympics. Also, for travelers with a sweet tooth for European pastries, Midway’s renowned Bakery at Zermatt is a must-visit. Just when you feel like you have been transported to Switzerland, however, remember that it is only a 50 minute drive over the Wasatch range to downtown Salt Lake City!
Moab
Moab, a town of about 5,000 situated in southern Utah, draws visitors of many types. Mountain bikers come to ride the Slickrock Trail, which winds through the rugged terrain outside town. Off-road enthusiasts come for the Moab Jeep Safari, which puts even the most rugged 4x4 vehicles to the test. Sightseers come to experience Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, both of which are nearby. And some visitors just come to enjoy Moab itself, a pretty little town tucked into an awe-inspiring landscape. Picturesque Moab was the setting for several Hollywood Westerns, and it enjoyed a boom time during the Cold War due to mining of nearby uranium deposits.
Torrey
Tiny Torrey, with a population under 300, draws tourists primarily because of its proximity to Capitol Reef National Park, one of the most unique and breathtaking parks in the American West. Park highlights include the soaring rock formations of the Waterpocket Fold, which dazzle with their colorful majesty. While Torrey itself is not as stunningly beautiful as its surrounding landscape, the town definitely has a quaint charm that makes visitors feel at ease. Some highlights from the pioneer days remain, such as a historic log schoolhouse. Torrey also hosts several art and cultural events, most notably the Torrey Arts Festival in September. Torrey is a small town with big reasons to visit it!
Utah is often rated one of the most beautiful states in America, due in large part to the awe-inspiring beauty of its mountains, lakes, canyons, flats, and other natural features. But Utah’s beauty also comes from its many adorable small towns, filled with friendly locals and fun things to do. So, on your next trip to the Beehive State, come to experience nature but also make time to enjoy the man-made beauty found all across Utah!
