8 Of The Most Charming Towns In Utah
Of the 50 US States, Utah is the 13th largest and 30th most populous state in the Western US’s Mountain West subregion, bordered by the conjoining states of Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming, Arizona, Idaho, and a tiny corner of New Mexico. This naturally varied doubly landlocked state boasting awe-inspiring snow-capped mountains, barren sandy deserts, brilliant red rock formations, flourishing pine forests in mountain valleys, and crystal-clear water bodies is truly a must-see destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Speckled all over the stunning terrain of this geographically diverse state are innumerable charming towns often overlooked by holidaymakers vacationing in this part of the US. Embark on a tour of these pretty communities and experience the best of the Beehive State.
Panguitch
Panguitch, situated on the southern side of the thriving Panguitch Valley, is the seat of south-central Utah’s Garfield County. The name ‘Panguitch’ has been derived from a Southern Paiute term meaning ‘Big Fish’ and refers to the nearby, uncontaminated rainbow trout-filled lakes and rivers providing wonderful fishing opportunities all year round. Initially established in March 1864, this erstwhile ranching and lumber community welcomes tourists to browse the meticulously maintained red brick properties, shops, art galleries, motels, and eating places in the downtown district. Also, from Panguitch, travelers can easily access some of Southern Utah’s widely known wonders, such as the two state parks: Kodachrome Basin and Escalante Petrified Forest; three National Parks: Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Capitol Reef; two national monuments: Grand Staircase-Escalante, and Cedar Breaks; and two national forests: Dixie and Fishlake. Spare time from your busy schedules to be present at the town’s Quilt Walk Festival, Bryce ATV/UTV rally, and Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally.
Garden City
Primarily settled in 1877, Garden City sits at the tail end of the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway and along the turquoise blue waters of Bear Lake in northeastern Utah’s Rich County. Thousands of holidayers flock to this well-liked summer retreat in large numbers to particularly witness the arresting Bear Lake and its unsullied beaches. Throughout the year, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy countless water-based recreations like kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, fishing, and water skiing at the Bear Lake State Park Marina. Moreover, the Heritage Park acts as a venue for the Bear Lake Raspberry Days Festival every August celebrating the palatable raspberries cultivated in the region with an arts & crafts fair, live musical performances, and infinite fun activities.
Moab
Grand County’s seat of government and its biggest community, Moab, is located just south of the Colorado River on the La Sal Mountains’ western flanks, roughly 18 miles west of the Utah-Colorado state boundary. Acclaimed for its dramatic arid scenery and small-town ambiance, the town lures tourists who wish to gaze open-mouthed at some of the American West’s stirring landscapes. When in town, do stop by the noteworthy next-door attractions including the Arches National Park, a segment of the Manti-La Sal National Forest, Dead Horse Point State Park, and Canyonlands National Park. Both recreational and competitive mountain bikers are drawn to the Slickrock Bike Trail, the southwestern terminus of the Kokopelli’s Trail, and Whole Enchilada (plus a portion of Porcupine Rim). Merrymakers must attend the town’s yearly festivals, such as the LGBT Pride Festival, Skinny Tire Festival, Folk Festival, Moab Music Festival, and Moab Art Walk.
Springdale
This serene town in Washington County, with only 629 inhabitants, is situated on the western margin of the Colorado Plateau, right outside the bounding line of Zion National Park. Instituted in 1862 as a Mormon farming community, Springdale is a superb stopover point for holidaymakers surveying the contiguous natural sites of interest. The plethora of independent stores, cozy inns, entertainment venues, gift shops, finest eating establishments, and fine art & photography galleries in Springdale’s downtown district enthralls tourists of all ages and interests. Aside from being a fascinating entranceway to the phenomenal vistas, grueling hikes, exquisite wild fauna, and rugged carless bike trails of Zion National Park, Springdale also provides a wide variety of opportunities for travelers, including tubing down the Virgin River, cycling the trails cutting across the Gooseberry Mesa, and discovering the Grafton Ghost Town.
Torrey
An enchanting tree-lined Wayne County town, Torrey, located along the northern shores of Fremont River on Utah State Route 24, is delimited in the east by the Capitol Reef National Park and in the southwest by the Boulder Mountain. Christened after Jay L. Torrey, this marvelous summer retreat entices sightseers with greenish meadows, blush-colored cliffs, and ample outdoor recreation. Filled with plenty of gift shops, RV campgrounds, bookstores, cafes, art galleries, award-winning restaurants, and home-like accommodations, Torrey is the most sought-after gateway providing access to the proximate Capitol Reef National Park, Thousand Lakes RV Park, Boulder Mountain, and Scenic Byway 12. Numerous revelers are drawn yearly to the Torrey Chamber Music Festival of the Entrada Institute and the Wayne County Farmers’ Market held every Saturday from May to October.
Midway
Fondly called the ‘Little Switzerland of Utah,’ Midway is set in the Heber Valley on the opposing side of the Wasatch Mountains, roughly 28 miles southeast of Salt Lake City and 3 miles west of Heber City. Ringed by spectacular snowy peaks, vacationers visiting this charming mountain town are especially mesmerized by the Sundance Mountain Resort, Midway Ice Rink, Deer Valley Resort, Midway Recreation Center, Homestead Resort, Heber Valley Artisan Cheese Farm, and Soldier Hollow Nordic Center. Adrenaline junkies can engage in recreational hiking, horseback riding, and biking at the adjoining Wasatch Mountain State Park, while merrymakers must not miss the annual ‘Midway Swiss Days’ celebrations held over the Labor Day weekend.
Kanab
The administrative center of Kane County, Kanab, is situated by the side of the Kanab Creek immediately north of the Utah-Arizona state boundary. The geological grandeur of this picturesque American West settlement has made it a favored cinematographic backdrop for multiple television series and classic Western cinemas, earning the nickname “Utah’s Little Hollywood.” Furthermore, tourists visiting Kanab can easily access the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Grand Canyon’s North Rim, Lake Powell National Recreation Area, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park, thanks to Kanab’s central location in the ‘Grand Circle’ area. Additionally, travelers must stop by the adjacent sites of interest such as the Moqui Cave, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park; besides savoring the mouthwatering meals and drinks served at the town’s top-notch eateries and breweries.
Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant is a prosperous high-valley community esteemed for its retro appeal in Central Utah’s Sanpete County. The town’s National Register-listed historic downtown district is chock-a-full of painstakingly preserved 19th-century properties in addition to scores of retail stores, specialty shops, art galleries, museums such as the Fairview Museum of History & Art and the Wasatch Academy Museum, and locally-owned restaurants like the Coffee Depot and Cavalier Pizza. Annually, Mount Pleasant hosts the Independence Day festivities, Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Day, and Hub City Days with a parade down the state street, a rodeo featuring native cowboys, lip-smacking breakfast at the city park, fireworks after the rodeo, and a carnival at the city park.
From Midway - the “Little Switzerland of Utah” to Kanab - “Utah’s Little Hollywood,” the teeny hamlets of the Mormon State are waiting to be discovered by vacationers from all over the globe. Whether you wish to get an authentic taste of the celebrated American West, soak in the state’s vibrant culture, or look forward to taking part in limitless outdoor recreations in the midst of unrivaled natural surroundings, these Utah towns are worth visiting with your dear ones on your upcoming long holidays.
