7 Most Relaxing Utah Towns
Ranked as the third most relaxed state in the country, Utah residents know that life here is laid-back, especially in the small towns. Winding canyons, colorful plateaus, and snowy ski slopes make it easy to find calming recreational opportunities that allow travelers to escape the commotion of their daily lives. With the year quickly coming to a close, if you find yourself in need of a quiet getaway, these seven towns offer a much-needed moment of relaxation.
Park City
With the winter season quickly approaching, Park City makes the ideal laid-back winter getaway, with great slopes for skiing and snowboarding. Deer Valley Resort is consistently voted as one of the best ski resorts in the country, averaging over 300 inches of annual snowfall and 2,000 skiable acres. Park City Mountain is another great option as one of the country’s largest ski resorts, spanning 7,300 acres and having 41 lifts and seven terrain parks.
For those looking to enjoy the outdoors without strapping on skis or a snowboard, sleigh rides are a delightful option, available at both Deer Valley and Park City Mountain. Blankets are provided, but be sure to bundle up! During the chilly months, enjoy cafe hopping and savoring specialty coffee at Park City’s inviting coffee shops, such as Harvest and Atticus.
Kamas
Kamas is just minutes away from the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, a 2.2 million-acre wilderness park with basins, mountains, and hundreds of lakes and streams, making a great base camp for hikers. Along the Mirror Lake Highway Scenic Byway, off-roaders and road trippers also have plenty to explore, featuring rugged backcountry, developed campgrounds, and RV sites.
Before exploring the surrounding wilderness, travelers can fuel up at Samak Smoke House, a roadside country store selling traditional house-smoked trout and jerky and countless dried goods that are perfect for camping and hiking trips. The Notch Pub is a relaxing spot to stop for dinner, offering savory burgers, craft beer, and live music.
Monticello
Situated in Utah’s canyon country, Monticello sits along the eastern edge of the Abajo Mountains, offering views of sandstone canyons and plateaus. Visitors can take advantage of its natural surroundings by visiting the Manti-La Sal National Forest, a 1.4 million acre forest that features red rock plateaus, petroglyphs, cliff dwellings, and Native American artifacts nearby.
Hovenweep National Monument is worth the drive as well, with six prehistoric sites that date back to 1,200 to 1,300 CE, including multistory towers. Those in need of a bite to eat can stop by the town’s beloved pizzeria, Thatzza Pizza, or enjoy some homestyle barbecue at Doug’s Steak and Barbecue.
Kanab
Kanab perfectly portrays the American West, surrounded by sagebrush vistas and steep Navajo sandstone cliffs. To fully appreciate the colorful cliffs, visitors can take a drive along Johnson Canyon Road, which offers the perfect vantage points for viewing these rock formations. Hikers can also visit “The Wave”, a hiking park circling around the North Coyote Buttes, rock arches, sand coves, and more.
In addition to its ideal location near a number of important rock formations, Kanab has earned fame for its annual events. The Balloons and Tunes Roundup, taking place each February, hosts 40 colorful hot air balloons as they fly above the red, rocky landscape. The Western Legends Roundup is another, showcasing both past and present cowboy culture. With its landscapes featured in many Hollywood movies, travelers can also stop by the Little Hollywood Museum in town, which preserves and showcases movie sets that were filmed in the Kanab area.
Panguitch
Panguitch’s history dates back to 1864, when a group of pioneers first settled there. Today, it sits near the Dixie National Forest as well as a number of state and national parks. While exploring Dixie National Forest, travelers can discover alpine lakes, plateaus, high mountain forests, and desert canyon gorges, all accessible via well-maintained hiking trails. Visitors can also spend a day out at Bryce Canyon, which is home to incredible hoodoos, pink cliffs, and other memorable rock formations.
There is always something happening in Panguitch, whether it be the town’s annual Quilt Walk Festival, car and truck shows, Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Quinoa Festival, Big Fish Ice Fishing tournament, or the Garfield County Fair. Want to go souvenir shopping while in Panguitch? The small town has a number of local shops that are fun to explore, such as Garfield Memorial Healthcare Foundation Thrift Store and Panguitch Drug, Radio Shack & Cowboy Store, which has western-style souvenirs and gifts.
Escalante
Located between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, Escalante is best known as the gateway to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This area features a mix of brightly colored sandstone cliffs above narrow canyons, as well as numerous prehistoric sites and abandoned Western movie sets.
Just five miles west of downtown Escalante, visitors can unwind at the Slot Canyons Inn, a bed and breakfast that lies at the mouth of a canyon and stream. Many restaurants and cafes in Escalante, such as Destination Cafe and Esca-latte Restaurant, have a cozy, rustic charm, featuring wooden, cabin-style ceilings, making it easy to feel immersed in the town’s calm surroundings.
Blanding
Blanding perfectly blends Native American history with cowboy culture, making it a fascinating stop for history enthusiasts. Travelers can stroll through the Edge of the Cedars State Park & Museum, which is filled with artifacts from the Four Corners region, exhibiting both contemporary Native American and Ancestral Puebloan culture. For history regarding the region’s more recent settlers, visitors can explore the Pioneer Museum, which showcases artifacts from the area’s European settlers.
Positioned at the beginning of the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway, visitors can also embark on a relaxing drive passing by cliff dwellings, rock arts, and ancient artifacts. For a laid-back meal after a day of driving and museum hopping, travelers can grab a bite at the Patio Diner, a casual American-style restaurant that services mouthwatering sandwiches and burgers.
Final Thoughts
Utah’s high number of national parks, state parks, museums, and scenic byways make it the ultimate destination for those in need of some rest and relaxation. Even if you do not enjoy outdoor activities, its quirky restaurants and shops make it a great escape option regardless. So whether you plan to explore nature or just indulge in a little retail therapy, you will undoubtedly leave feeling refreshed and recharged!
