7 Most Breathtaking Towns In Utah

In the Rocky Mountains region of the western US lies the state of Utah, a beautiful state known for its stunning red rock formations, towering mountains framing enormous gorges and canyons, and vast deserts. The four seasons are incredibly distinct here, with heavily snowy winters and long, hot, desert summers. In addition to all these unique traits, Utah is also home to the "Mighty Five" National Parks, meaning there are many breathtaking sights to see throughout this awesome state.

Springdale

In the southwestern part of Utah, the town of Springdale, situated along the Virgin River, is often known for being the gateway to Zion National Park. A unique feature of the town is that it is designated as a "dark sky community," meaning it has government regulations in place to prevent light pollution, creating genuinely breathtaking nighttime starscapes, including regular planetary views. Springdale is small but charming, and it is surrounded by beautiful nature, tucked in between rows of gorgeous red rock cliffs. The town is also working on a trail network leading through and around downtown.

The Virgin River is a hotspot for recreational adventures like float trips, kayaking, or taking a scenic drive along the shores. Many people also enjoy hiking through The Narrows, a slot canyon that runs through the national park. The hike is moderately strenuous and lengthy at over five miles, regardless of where you park. Still, it is an awesome path with many beautiful rock formations in great viewing positions along it, as well as water views galore. National Park Service authorities do not recommend drinking, swimming in, or dipping your head in the water due to the presence of cyanobacteria, which can be harmful. It sure is wonderful to look at, though!

Also in Zion National Park is the Angels Landing Trail, famous for being so difficult that it requires a permit. It is said to have steep cliffs on its borders with very steep drop-offs, narrow sections, and lots of sun exposure. At the end, though, panoramic Zion Canyon views are so rewarding that many people risk their safety on this hike to reach them. A set of much easier and safer trails, the Emerald Pools Trail, leads to iconic waterfalls and sandstone amphitheaters.

Cannonville

Along Utah Scenic Byway 12 is the tiny town of Cannonville, home of fewer than 200 residents at the last census. While this town may seem like a dot on the map from the outside looking in, it is a perfect stop if your goal is to participate in unique excursions. Cannonville is noted as a gateway to Bryce Canyon National Park, a place that definitely takes your breath away as soon as you see it. This national park is specifically unique for its insane geological formations, called "hoodoos," which are jagged red rock spires that look like something from another planet. Bryce Canyon National Park is a great place to hike for this reason, with many trails that lead visitors into the awe-inspiring landscapes. The most popular hike is the combination of the Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden Trail, which zigzags around hoodoos and down into the Bryce Amphitheater, a massive bowl-shaped canyon that simply cannot be missed.

Also, only a few minutes' drive from Cannonville is the Grand Staircase Escalante Monument, a conservation area that has become a major tourist attraction due to its namesake Grand Staircase cliffs. The area is also a significant location for fossil-finding and has been the source of many ancient discoveries. Within the vast land of the monument park are many attractions, including Willis Creek Slot Canyon, a popular hiking destination. The beautiful six-mile trail that goes through the narrow canyon, with steep sandstone walls on either side, makes visitors feel like they are in a tunnel.

Moab

Just four miles south of the entrance of Arches National Park is Moab, a charming small town with substantial tourist traffic due to its gorgeous red rock surrounding scenery and proximity to multiple outdoor attractions. The town has an old western feeling, but its diverse array of restaurants, including the exciting Moab Food Truck Park, and vibrant outdoor art along Main Street, make for a unique experience.

Arches National Park is a huge destination in itself as well, packed with thousands of breathtaking natural sandstone arches, red rock geological features, scenic drives and hiking trails, and even parts of the La Sal Mountains. Within the park, popular attractions include visiting the iconic Delicate Arch, or hiking along the highly-rated Park Avenue Trail, which leads you through sandstone formations reminiscent of a cityscape.

Moab is also near Dead Horse Point State Park, an official International Dark Sky Park known for its glorious nighttime views. The park also boasts incredible scenes during the day, namely badlands, huge canyons, and desert vistas. When visitors hike to the Dead Horse Point Overlook, they are treated to panoramic views of sunset-colored cliffs and the Colorado River.

Torrey

The small town of Torrey is noteworthy for its unique location in the heart of Capitol Reef Country, a unique region of Utah that surrounds Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey's main attraction. This area of the state cannot be missed, as it is an eclectic mix of landscapes that simply do not exist elsewhere. The Waterpocket Fold, a geological feature described as a sort of wrinkle in the Earth's crust, is called a monocline, and is a shocking one hundred miles long!

Other interesting features of Capitol Reef National Park are the white, dome-shaped sandstone cliffs that inspire the first part of the name and the dramatic cliffs dotted with orchards of rare fruit trees that provide the "reef" part. Fruit trees are quite uncommon in the red rock deserts of Utah, and it is rumored that Mormon settlers planted them over a hundred years ago.

You can learn more about the area's history at the Gifford House and Museum, a former homestead turned educational exhibit and store. Another great spot to learn about area history is the Ripple Rock Nature Center, a family-friendly museum and visitor center offering many interactive activities for children and adults alike.

Monticello

A historic town in southeastern Utah near the Abajo Mountains, Monticello was founded in the late 1800s by Mormon pioneers. It serves as a gateway to nationally significant locations, and the town itself is a fun and interesting location based on its past alone. The Frontier Museum, inside a hundred-year-old barn, is a historic site that displays exhibits on pioneer history and regional culture, and makes for a fun family experience.

Monticello is also the gateway to Canyonlands National Park, a park at the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers, which divide it naturally into unique sections made up of diverse landscapes. The park includes many canyons, as well as breathtaking water views, brightly colored rock spires referred to as "the needles," and flat-topped sedimentary rock formations called mesas. Hiking through all of these interesting scenic areas of the park is very popular, as well as backpacking and driving off-road vehicles through some of the more difficult trails, such as The Maze, a rugged path requiring ATVs.

Green River

Settled along its namesake river, the small city of Green River, located in central Utah, is in a great area that is within driving distance of several national parks. In addition to those, the town is in close proximity to two noteworthy state parks, Green River State Park and Goblin Valley State Park. Within city limits, you can learn about local and regional topics at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum, which is a popular tourist attraction in the area.

Green River State Park is definitely the main draw of the city, located on the western shore of the river and known for its lovely water views, great fishing opportunities, golf course, and for being a great starting point if you want to paddle through the Labyrinth or Stillwater Canyons. These are both popular scenic destinations on the Green River, with the former being noteworthy for its maze-like pathway, which provides calm waters and opportunities to explore new, smaller canyons off to the side.

Goblin Valley State Park, within a short drive from Green River, got its name from the thousands of oddly shaped sandstone hoodoos, which almost look like little humanoid figures. Many of these are concentrated in what is called the park's "Main Valley," which has several hiking trails that lead you through it, including the Goblin's Lair Trail, ending in a creepy hidden cave, and the Wild Horse Window Trail, where you can also encounter Indigenous rock art.

Wendover

One of the most unique landscapes arguably in the world, the Bonneville Salt Flats, are located near the town of Wendover. The flats, a seemingly endless, impenetrable crust of white salt stretching over thirty thousand acres of what was once a lake in ancient times, are a hugely popular tourist attraction. The flats have been dated back to the last ice age, and visitors from all over the world come to see the once-in-a-lifetime sight of the vast, icy-looking surface area, imagining what the freshwater Lake Bonneville may have once looked like.

The salt flats, while certainly breathtaking, are not the only thing to see in Wendover. It is also a very artistic town, with multiple public art installations, including the giant cowboy statue affectionately named Wendover Will, as well as the Sun Tunnels. There are four tunnels arranged in a cross pattern, and this land art installation is a popular spot for photography, and is designed to be great for viewing the summer and winter solstices. Another piece of public art near Wendover is the Metaphor Tree of Utah, an 87-foot piece that incorporates local rock and mineral samples.

The state of Utah is packed with scenes that will take your breath away, and many are specific only to this state, like the venerable salt flats of Bonneville, the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon and Goblin Valley, and the Waterpocket Fold of Capitol Reef. The state is packed with quaint mining towns with Old Western charm, and artsy, historic attractions, surrounded by views that can make you feel like you are on another planet. Utah will undoubtedly blow your mind!