8 Little-Known Towns In Utah
An important cultural and geographic center of the Western United States, Utah is indeed a very unique place of intrigue and discovery. Admitted to the Union in 1896, the “Beehive State” is well known for its stunning mountains, picturesque lakes, desert landscapes, and, of course, a most special Mormon heritage. Although such major places like Salt Lake City and Provo may come to mind first when thinking of Utah, the State also has a number of smaller and lesser-known communities, which are very much as captivating as their larger counterparts. Here, exquisite natural settings meet fascinating cultural ambiances, creating a most alluring set of vacation memories. So come visit Utah and stop by these little-known towns, where a delightful experience awaits the young and old alike!
Vernal
Framed by the stunning Uinta Mountains and the famous Book Cliffs, the town of Vernal is a most delightful Utah destination situated near the border with Colorado. The seat of Uintah County, home to just under 10,500 residents, Vernal is also affectionately known as “Dinosaur Land,” and visitors will certainly have loads of prehistoric discoveries to experience firsthand. Celebrated for the abundance of fossils and dinosaur bones found in the area, be sure to visit the Dinosaur National Monument and get up close and personal with bone quarry and other geologic materials. And, of course, one cannot forget about Dinah the Pink Dinosaur! Pose with the giant 40-foot statue on the way in or out of town and create a very special set of photographic memories.
In addition, outdoor lovers will also appreciate the nearby Ashley National Forest where fun camping opportunities are in never short supply. Spend time at the Green River, marvel at the Uinta Mountains and the awesome Book Cliffs, and enjoy a hot desert ambience, there is indeed always something beautiful to admire when in Vernal.
Price
The seat of Carbon County, Price can trace its modern roots to the 1870s, and today, just over 8,000 call it home. Beautifully located along the Price River (a tributary of the larger Colorado River), the town maintains a special 19th-century character with its ties to the rail and mining industries. Visit such sites as the Bryner Pioneer Museum (1892), the Prehistoric Museum on the campus of USU Eastern, and the Coal Miners Memorial for a look into the foundational history of the town and the then Utah Territory.
Meanwhile, at the beautiful Nine Mile Canyon admire special indigenous folk art depicted on the sides of cliffs. Finally back in town, tasty locally run eateries like Juniper Kitchen serve up some of the best of Western cuisine, while shops like Apple Country Home offer genuine slices of small town America to take back home.
Park City
Park City is scenically situated within the Wasatch Mountains, and visitors from across the country descend to enjoy some of Utah’s best alpine slopes. Just some 32 miles from Salt Lake City, just over 8,000 inhabitants call this charming townhome, where such famous resorts as Park City Mountain, Deer Valley, and Utah Olympic Park can be found. Meanwhile, in the summer, awesome cycling and hiking trails challenge the amateur and professional alike in a climate that boasts summer temperatures in the mid-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Finally, in town itself, guests will not want to miss out on the charming historic district where architectural styles from Victorian to Spanish Revival can be appreciated. Amongst the places of note are the Union Pacific Train Station (now converted to a restaurant) and the Park City Museum, which highlights Utah’s historic growth and role in Westward expansion. And, of course, any film lover will certainly know Park City as the host of the famed Sundance Film Festival. Since its inception in 1978, thousands from around the world have descended on Park City to view independent works of cinema that often go on to receive international attention.
Spring City
Situated in central Utah’s Sanpete County, Spring City was founded by Mormon settlers in the 1850s, and today, a humble population of just over 1,000 reside there. Indeed, the town’s historic allure can easily be observed, and a number of special Mormon-style buildings dot the landscape. Noted for their large stone facades and perfectly symmetrical exteriors, among the buildings that stand out include the Charles Crawforth Farmhouse (1884), the Emil Erickson House (1888), and the Spring City Public School (1899). In fact, the entire town has even been included in the National Register of Historic Places!
Meanwhile, with a climate that features hot summers and warm winters being outside is always welcome in Spring City. Add in cute local businesses like the Roots 89 Grill and Mercantile General Store, and a real sense of small town Americana with a special Utah flavor can always be encountered.
Mount Pleasant
A short ten-minute drive from Spring City, the town of Mount Pleasant is also an example of a 19th-century Mormon settlement where an old-fashioned feeling is sure to be met. Home to just over 3,600 residents, like other Mormon communities, Mount Pleasant has the most unique architectural landscape. Visit the Historic Main Street and explore such places as the Blacksmith Shop and the Liberty Hall Museum at Wasatch Academy, which highlights the American Civil War and the role of Mormon pioneers in the foundation of modern Utah.
Furthermore, Mount Pleasant is host to several fun annual events that all ages of visitor can appreciate. These include the Hub City Days in June and July which has fireworks, parades, rodeos, and tons of food vendors. And do not forget about the Miss Liberty Pageant, where young girls up to the age of 14 compete for the chance to win the crown and other prizes.
Panguitch
The seat of Garfield County in southern Utah, the town of Panguitch, was established by the Mormons in the 1860s, and it is now the home to just under 1,800 inhabitants. Derived from a Native American phrase meaning “Big Fish”, Panguitch is a most delightful historic community that is further accentuated by its splendid natural ambience. Scenically situated within the Sevier River Valley, beautiful Rocky Mountain peaks and charming streams and lakes fill out the landscape of this most special destination. A great place to enjoy the outdoors, visitors can take advantage of scenic opportunities to go cycling and hiking, while awesome fishing trips are never in short supply. Indeed, healthy populations of fish can be found in the numerous little bodies of water here, including rainbow trout, making for a most memorable fishing experience.
In addition, visiting Panguitch’s Historic District is a great way to learn more about the town’s and State’s 19th-century Mormon past. Included in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places, numerous Mormon-style buildings can be found in the District, including the Owens House. Add in cute local eateries like the Desert Grill and shops like Smokin’ Hot Antiques, and the charm of small-town Utah is certainly on full display in Panguitch.
Farmington
Like many other communities in Utah, Mormon settlers contributed to the foundation of Farmington, which is home to nearly 25,000 residents today. Founded in the 1840s and the seat of Davis County, Farmington is surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake, and it experiences hot summer and cool winter temperatures. Enjoy time spent outdoors in the town’s impressive 146-mile stretch of trails, which chances to go biking and hiking in the surrounding mountain areas. And, of course, heading out to the Great Salt Lake is always an adventure, where boating and even swimming can be enjoyed alongside some sandy beach areas.
Naturally, an abundance of Mormon-style buildings and culture are on full display in Farmington. Visit the Main Street Historic District (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), where architectural styles ranging from Victorian to 20th-century Revival can be admired. Finish off with a meal at locally owned joints like Vessel Kitchen or go shopping at the Station Park Mall, and one can enjoy the best of the old world in a modern setting.
Moab
An outdoor lover’s dream, the town of Moab offers some of the best in desert landscapes and is a true gem for those looking for a unique Utah experience. Founded in the 1870s by the Mormons, today, this seat of Grand County is home to just over 5,300 inhabitants where very hot summers and cool winters are the norm. And with its vicinity to the famed Arches rock formations and the Canyonlands National Park, opportunities to immerse oneself in the desert are never in short supply here. Rock climbing, hiking, and biking while simply marveling at the exquisite natural geography is a treat in itself. Indeed, with its picturesque setting, it is no wonder that Moab has been used over the years for the filming of many Western films.
Meanwhile a number of fun annual events populate the calendar in Moab, where visitors of all ages can find something to enjoy. Amongst the events of note include the Moab Music Festival in September and the Jeep Jamboree, where off road racing offers special thrills. Add in great local businesses like the Broken Oar Restaurant and the Desert Dreams Gift Shop, and the charm of this lesser known Utah destination shines through most brilliantly.
Utah is one of America’s most special States, where stunning geographic settings meet with a unique cultural character. Indeed, the “Beehive State” is more than just a jewel of the Western United States; it is a place that any visitor to the nation will not want to miss. While Salt Lake City and Provo are examples of Utah’s best-known cities, the State also has a number of equally alluring smaller towns that, while they maybe lesser known, is no less captivating. From the arid desert landscapes of Moab and Vernal to the Mormon communities of Spring City and Mount Pleasant, these places showcase some of the very best of Utah outside of the major urban centers. So do not wait and come see the lovely State of Utah across an exploration of these lesser-known communities and see why it has rightfully earned its status as one of America’s most unique holiday destinations!
