7 Eclectic, Small Towns In Utah
The state of Utah has helped define the spirit and the eccentricities of the American West. A part of the Union since 1896, the place known as The Beehive State — a symbol suggesting Utahns' shared value of working together for the common good — has gathered westward pioneers and dreamers for centuries. As a major center for adherents of the Mormon religion, Utah's spiritual profile is just one of the attributes that sets the state apart. These towns show more of Utah's eclectic side, suggesting that no two towns in the state are alike.
Garden City
Garden City feels more like a village than a large urban center. Tucked in the far northeast corner of Utah, next to picturesque Bear Lake, Garden City is a magnet for watersports fans of all kinds. The place has even inspired an unlikely nickname: the "Caribbean of the Rockies," for its intensely blue waters. Bear Lake State Park provides amenities for solo travelers and families, while the Limber Pine Nature Trail affords for serious exercise.
When Bear Lake freezes in winter, ice fishing enthusiasts break out their drills while others prefer skiing the Beaver Mountain Resort.
Kanab
The small town of Kenab is famous as the location for numerous western-themed films and television shows, such as the classic "Stagecoach," a movie that cemented the legend of actor John Wayne. The local entertainment industry has given rise to the label "Little Hollywood."
Athletic visitors can take on Kanab's popular cycling trails, or trek through the Navajo sandstone formations. These formations are etched into otherwordly shapes by wind and sand. Animal lovers also have reason to appreciate this unusual town: the nearby Best Friends Animal Shelter is the largest such sanctuary for furry friends in the United States, with about 1,700 creature living there at any time.
Moab
East-central Moab, population 5,200, needs no introduction: most know it as a gateway to some of America's finest national parks. Close by is Arches National Park, offering more than 2,000 natural rock arches, mostly in sandstone. Gooseberry Mesa, a high tableland (mesa, Spanish for "table," takes its name from early Spanish settlers), is nearby. Finally, Canyonlands National Park provides a sublime overlook of Utah’s expansive natural beauty.
Adventure sports enthusiasts of all kinds find their bliss in Moab. The town has long attracted cyclists, mountain bikers, rafters, kayakers, and climbers. Ride through natural beauty and history along Moab's famous trails.
Midway
Midway welcomes visitors to its slate of year-round attractions. Affectionately called Utah's "Little Switzerland," the town celebrates the roots of its settlers with a famous festival each fall since the 1940s. Swiss settlers helped establish Midway and the surrounding Heber Valley.
Active types in Midway can explore Wasatch Mountain State Park, which hosts downhill and cross-country skiing in the winter, and hiking, biking, and walking in the warmer months. Midway's Soldier Hollow Nordic Center brings together cross-country skiers of all skills, from hobbyists to Olympic hopefuls. Golfers gravitate to the town's pair of courses, Soldier Hollow and Wasach Mountain.
Panguitch City
The unusually named Panguitch City in Utah's southwest may only have 1,800 inhabitants, but its reputation as a center of culture extends well beyond its modest city limits. The name Panguitch derives from an indigenous Paiute word translating to "Big Fish," according to experts. Nearby, the beloved Panguitch Lake provides fishing and boating opportunities galore, especially for anglers hoping to snag one or two of the lake's famous rainbow trout.
Panguitch City's downtown stands proudly on the National Register of Historic Places, mostly around the Center Street area. Western-themed restaurants and shopping characterize the town. The June for the Craft Walk Festival honors local makers and their legacy in sustaining Panguitch City.
Park City
Park City is famous as a winter playground for skiers, snowboarders, and vacationers. A recent labor strike reached a resolution involving higher wages for Park City's resort workers, which means the mountain is again open for business.
Also, the Park City Institute hosts performing arts events and the Kimball Art Center offers visual arts like modern photography and mixed media.
Springdale
In Utah's southwest corner, Springdale is a quiet spot close to some of the best natural parks in the nation, including Zion National Park. The town also offers proximity to four state parks—Gunlock, Quail Creek, Sand Hollow, and Snow Canyon—not to mention the golfing, water activities, and biking that are also possible in the region.
Grafton Ghost Town is one of the best-known ghost towns of the American West, located in Springdale. Art galleries, including the celebrated Worthington Gallery, combine mediums like glass, pottery, and wind sculptures with paintings and other works for a truly creative shopping experience.
Utah's Eclectic Towns
Utah is an essential part of American culture. It is known, in part, for its ski resorts and as the capital of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But Utah is also home to eclectic, small towns with diverse ideas and access to awesome parks and recreation.
