8 Breathtaking Towns to Visit in Utah
Admitted to the Union on January 4, 1896, as the 45th State, Utah is a naturally diverse landlocked state in the American West’s Mountain West subregion. With magnificent snow-capped mountains, wooded forests in the mountain valleys, arid sandy deserts, red rock arches, and sparkling lakes, Utah is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. Dotting the 82,144 square mile terrain of this wonderful state are countless breathtaking towns that showcase the true beauty of the Beehive State.
Embark on a trip to the small towns to experience the best of everything Utah offers.
Brigham City
Home to 19,650 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, Brigham City, the administrative center of Box Elder County, is set on the western flanks of the Wellsville Mountains, approx. 25.1 miles north of Ogden. Called after Mormon pioneer Brigham Young, Brigham City has several noteworthy historic sites, including Baron Woolen Mills, Brigham City Cemetery, and Cooley Memorial Hospital.
The town’s Main Street archway dubs it the “Gateway to the World’s Greatest Wild Bird Refuge” and invites travelers to tour its business district that serves as a stopover point for adventurists visiting the vast Golden Spike National Historic Site and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The Box Elder Museum, the Brigham City Museum of Art & History, and an LDS tabernacle (Box Elder Stake Tabernacle) are some must-visit attractions. “Peach Days” held yearly on the weekend after Labor Day, celebrates the region’s succulent peaches with car shows, parades, carnivals, a 6.2-mile race, and a variety of activities.
Panguitch
The seat of government of Garfield County is situated at an elevation of 6,666 feet in the south-central portion of Utah, on the flourishing Panguitch Valley’s southern side. ‘Panguitch’ - a Southern Paiute term, means ‘Big Fish’ and refers to the nearby rainbow trout-filled waterbodies that provide superb fishing opportunities throughout the year. This former lumber and ranching community caters to visitors with its numerous red brick buildings, art galleries, restaurants, local shops, and motels in the downtown district.
Panguitch is also a vital base for explorers wishing to discover Southern Utah’s famed natural wonders such as the three National Parks: Zion, Capitol Reef, and Bryce Canyon; national forests: Fishlake and Dixie; national monuments: Cedar Breaks, and Grand Staircase-Escalante; and state parks: Escalante Petrified Forest, and Kodachrome Basin. Merrymakers must partake in the town’s yearly celebrations like the Bryce ATV/UTV rally, Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, and Quilt Walk Festival.
Moab
Moab, Grand County’s seat is on the La Sal Mountains’ western slopes directly south of the Colorado River, about 18 miles west of the state border with Colorado. Notable for its exceptional desert scenery, the town invites tourists who wish to gaze in wonder at some of the Western United States’ stellar landscapes. A haven for adrenaline junkies, holidayers visiting Moab must not miss the adjoining Arches National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, a section of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, and Canyonlands National Park.
Apart from being the Kokopelli Trail’s southwestern terminus, the Slickrock Bike Trail and the Whole Enchilada (also including a segment of Porcupine Rim) appeal to both competitive and recreational mountain bikers. Annually, the town hosts the Moab Music Festival, Skinny Tire Festival, Moab Art Walk, Folk Festival, and LGBT Pride Festival.
Midway
Lovingly called the “Little Switzerland of Utah,” Midway occupies the Heber Valley on the opposite side of Wasatch Mountains, approx. 3 miles west of Heber City and 28 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Located amidst mind-boggling snowy peaks, this alpine town is perfect for those who wish to soak in its tranquility.
Tourists visiting Midway are especially captivated by the well-known Sundance Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Homestead Resort, Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, Heber Valley Artisan Cheese Farm, Midway Recreation Center (Town Hall), and the Midway Ice Rink. Outdoorsy types can try out hiking, biking, and horseback riding at the neighboring Wasatch Mountain State Park, whereas revelers must attend the yearly “Midway Swiss Days” event held on the Friday and Saturday before Labor Day.
Torrey
Torrey, a blissful teeny tree-lined town on Utah State Route 24 along the Fremont River’s northern banks in Wayne County, is bounded by the Capitol Reef National Park in the east and Boulder Mountain in the southwest. Named in honor of Jay L. Torrey, a commissioned colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Rocky Mountain Riders, the town, surrounded by blush-colored cliffs and emerald meadows is a wonderful summer destination, where sightseers can view astounding sceneries and participate in a wide variety of outdoor recreations.
Having scores of gift shops, cafes, RV campgrounds, restaurants, bookstores, art galleries, and lodging options, Torrey is the most favored gateway for surveying the adjacent Capitol Reef National Park, Scenic Byway 12 (Utah’s All-American Road), Thousand Lakes RV Park, and Boulder Mountain. The Wayne County Farmers’ Market held every Saturday at the heart of Torrey from May to October, and the Entrada Institute’s Torrey Chamber Music Festival draws a lot of merrymakers.
Kanab
Kane County’s administrative center, Kanab is located along Kanab Creek, just north of the state border with Arizona. Christened after an Indigenous Paiute term that means “place of the willows,” this idyllic American West town’s geological splendor has made it a popular filming locale for several classic western movies and television series earning the monicker, “Utah’s Little Hollywood.” Furthermore, Kanab is famed for occupying the core of the ‘Grand Circle’ area, close to significant national parks, national monuments, out-of-the-world rock formations, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and Lake Powell.
Some other neighboring attractions include the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, the Buckskin Gulch, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Moqui Cave, and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Springdale
Springdale is situated immediately outside the boundaries of Zion National Park in Utah’s Washington County on the Colorado Plateau’s western extremity. Primarily founded as a Mormon farming community in 1862, this picturesque town of just 629 residents is an excellent resting place for adventurers exploring the abutting natural sites of interest. Springdale’s downtown district has numerous locally-owned stores, gift shops, fine art & photography galleries, top-class eateries, home-like inns, and entertainment venues.
Besides being a gateway to the incredible vistas, challenging hikes, beautiful wild fauna, and car-free bike trails that Zion National Park has to offer, Springdale also provides travelers with various opportunities such as touring the Grafton Ghost Town, tubing down the Virgin River, and cycling the trails crisscrossing the Gooseberry Mesa.
Garden City
An acclaimed summer resort destination, Garden City is located along the crystal-clear blue-green waters of Bear Lake (often dubbed the “Caribbean of the Rockies”) in the Rich Country’s northwestern portion at the upper northeastern corner of Utah. This pleasant town’s placement at the edge of the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway and on Bear Lake State Park’s shores lures holidayers from worldwide. During the warmer months, thousands of tourists flock to Garden City to witness the spectacular Bear Lake and its immaculate beaches.
All year round, the Bear Lake State Park Marina offers multiple water-based recreations like kayaking, fishing, water skiing, swimming, stand-up paddle boarding, etc., for outdoor enthusiasts. Garden City’s Heritage Park serves as a venue for the annual 3-day Bear Lake Raspberry Days Festival every first weekend of August, which celebrates the world-famous tasty raspberries grown in the region with unlimited fun activities, live music performances, and an arts & crafts fair.
From the serene alpine town of Midway to the town of Moab which acts as a gateway to amazing national parks, the small towns in the nation’s 13th largest and 30th most-populous state are often overlooked by vacationers touring this part of the country. So, if you wish to get a taste of Utah culture and participate in a wide range of recreations amidst unparalleled natural surroundings, do stop by these breathtaking towns in the Beehive State on your next long holiday with your loved ones.
