7 Underappreciated Towns to Visit in Utah

When you hear Utah, do you first think about desert or snow? Funnily enough, this landlocked state has both! This uniquely diverse state—nicknamed the Beehive State—is one of the Four Corners states, along with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Utah has been inhabited by a wide range of peoples for thousands of years; its rich landscape, ranging from snowy mountainous regions to desert arches, makes it perfect for film locations, outdoor activities, and just breathing in the essence of this magnificent countryside. Whether you like skiing, hiking, camping, hunting, or fishing, Salt Lake State has something for you. So what are you waiting for? Take a look at these incredible towns in Utah, and then wonder why they are criminally underappreciated.

Moab

First on the list is an incredibly slept-on town that used to be a mining hub. Beneath the surface of Moab lies more than just uranium; this place is home to the largest concentration of stone arches in the world (Arches National Park is right outside Moab). It is also one of Utah’s best spots for stargazing. Unspoiled by city lights, you get the darkest night skies here, so, astronomy fans should really get a kick out of this. People often stop by this town on their way to national parks, but this underappreciated spot is a getaway in its own right. Moab also hosts an annual Jeep Safari each spring, which is definitely worth planning a trip around.

Helper

This interesting town was named after the "helper" engines that assisted trains over nearby mountain grades in the late 19th century. It has a fascinating collection of murals and sculptures along Main Street that are worth checking out. As you may have guessed, the town has a coal mining heritage, but you will also find a railroad museum here (The Helper Museum). A lot of people skip this town for bigger Utah attractions, so this town usually floats under the radar; they miss out on the annual arts festival and historical attractions. Helper’s Main Street Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sadly, it receives little recognition outside Utah.

Kanab

Definitely worth checking out, this lesser-known gem has been a Hollywood set for over 100 Western films. Most people pass through Kanab completely unaware of its incredible Old West film history, but this little town (nicknamed “Little Hollywood”) has a few secrets to share. Known for its nearby Wave sandstone formations, this geologic site requires permits, making it a special destination for hikers. Dinosaur tracks can be found just outside the town and date back over 185 million years—anybody can just come and take a look! On your way out, you can pass by the Little Hollywood Museum and pick up some memorabilia.

Midway

Not to be confused with the Midway in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, this small town in Utah was first settled by Swiss immigrants, so the place has a European-style architecture and aesthetic. Midway has what is called a seasonal Ice castle attraction: you should be seeing incredible, hand-built ice sculptures when it gets cold here. On that note, a nearby volcanic crater called the Homestead Crater (or the Homestead Crater Mineral Dome) sits west of the town and is 65 feet deep; it is a stunning geothermal spring open for swimming and diving year-round. This experience alone is worth planning an entire trip around.

Springdale

Many visitors pass through Springdale to get to Zion National Park every year, but this destination has a few other tricks up its sleeve. Springdale’s Zion Canyon Theater is one attraction that is worth seeing before making your way up the mountain; the rest of the town is also known for its local galleries, displaying their works inspired by the red rock landscapes around Zion. Springdale also has a good bit of biking trails, and the town itself is quite charming, with quaint places like MeMe's Café or a bit more natural charm like the Virgin River.

Escalante

Visitors treat Escalante as they typically do a stop-off destination, but this town is more than a key base for exploring Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The town is also central to some ancient petroglyph sites and eye-catching rock formations. It is a great place for a shutterbug, not to mention the nearby Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, where some of the most finely preserved petrified wood and fossils can be found. Local festivals also honor the petroglyphs and artifacts in the area with Native American heritage, making them worth seeing after checking out the historic pioneer cabins and preserved buildings, many of which date back to the mid-19th century.

Cedar City

Often overshadowed by the Bryce Canyon nearby, Cedar City has its own nooks and corners waiting to be discovered. The town is known for the Utah Shakespeare Festival, bringing in literary fans with its award-winning theater performances. It also has many public art installations scattered around the town. Cedar City’s close proximity to Dixie National Forest means visitors can see rare tree species, including ancient bristlecone pines. If that is not enough, Southern Utah University’s campus in Cedar City also has one of the best-preserved fossil collections in the state, open to visitors, of course.

Embrace Utah’s Overlooked Treasures

It is not a nice feeling to live in someone's (or something’s) shadow, and a lot of towns in the U.S. go by either unnoticed or underappreciated. More often than not, the stopover town that people gloss over hides a fair share of gems of its own. That is why those “living in the fast lane” miss out on more as they fiercely charge ahead while, ironically, striving to miss out on less. Utah is not a beer to be chugged but a wine to be sipped and slowly enjoyed; I would argue there are hidden treasures all around us, beneath us, and above us if you choose the right place and the right time. So, before you embark on that travel destination everyone is talking about, take a careful look around. The old saying that the journey is more important than the destination is certainly not inaccurate.