8 Small Towns in Utah to Visit for a Weekend Getaway

Utah is not just about national parks featuring rugged landscapes and red rock scenery that appeal primarily to adventurers. This incredible state is also home to a handful of small towns endowed with stunning, natural, and laid-back scenery to surprise every traveler. Wooded mountains and desert landscapes surround these towns and are full of facilities that combine to create the ideal environment for a weekend getaway in nature. And since tourists often overlook Utah, there will be fewer crowds, especially in these towns, and that's a critical factor for some travelers seeking a hideaway! Without further ado, here are seven small towns in Utah for an unforgettable weekend getaway. 

Eden

Eden is a mountain and ski resort town located in Ogden Valley, Weber County, Utah, with just 600 residents. The city is ideal for a sensational winter vacation or weekend getaway in the cold season, as it is home to the iconic Powder Mountain Ski Resort. This is the largest ski resort in the US regarding the skiable area, comprising 154 trails, 8,464 skiable acreages, two terrain parks, and nine lifts. Despite the throng of tourists it receives in the peak winter season, visitors will still find ample space to ski due to its large size. Away from winter and its activities, the town is home to Carvers Cove Petting Farm, where various pet animals are sheltered and cared for. Some animals here include rabbits, dogs, pigs, kittens, sheep, donkeys, and horses.

The best accommodations in town include Powder Ridge Village and Red Moose Lodge. 

Alta 

Alta is a ski resort town in Salt Lake County with just 228 residents. The entire town is centered around the Ski Resort, which reportedly attracts thousands of visitors yearly. These tourists are drawn not just to the Alta Ski Area, where powdery snow saturates the landscape in winter, but also to its picturesque mountain scenery. The town is positioned within the Wasatch Mountains and receives about 545 inches of snow annually, making it a ski haven. With some of the best snow on earth raining down this mountain town, it's one of the best winter getaways in Utah. The Alta town park is another recreational area to unwind if visiting in summer since it's only open during the warm season. Visitors can play volleyball on the court, kids can ride on swings and slides, and there are picnic tables to enjoy family time with mouthwatering barbeque. For lodging and accommodation, the Alta Ski Area has several chalets, condos, and base lodges for visitors.

Meadow

Meadow is one of the smallest towns in Utah in Milliard County, with just 250 residents. So, it's an excellent destination for those avoiding the crowd, trying to meditate, or seeking inspiration for their creative projects. One of the best places to relax and source inspiration is the geothermal hot springs around 1.6 miles from the town's center in south Fillmore. The area has three pools, all open to the public for free. The water comes from an underground cave, maintaining a hot temperature all year round. However, be wary of the signs and descriptions; only professional swimmers should swim. The pools might not appear deep, but some are up to 20 feet and have recorded many cases of drowning in the past.

Accommodations are in the nearby Fillmore town, and some of the finest include Best Western Paradise Inn & Resort and Quality Inn & Resorts.

Garden City

Garden City flaunts the nickname "The Carribean of the Rockies," and for a good reason. The town is positioned by the shores of the shimmering turquoise-blue Bear Lake, forming the border between Utah and Idaho. This lake is over 250,000 years old, and its characteristic turquoise-blue color is due to the suspension of limestone. Beyond its beauty, it gives the town a Caribbean Island aura, attracting tourists who want to feel a little tropical. When visiting in summer, the lake is fascinating, with many recreational activities like swimming, boating, sailing, water-skiing, and jet-skiing. In winter, the lake is also excellent for skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling activities. Furthermore, the areas surrounding the lake are known for having the best Raspberries in the state, and there's a Raspberry festival every August to celebrate this fruit. For prime entertainment, the Pickleville Playhouse Theatre features musical melodramas and Broadway shows in summer.

The Inn at Bear Lake, Sun Outdoors Garden City, and Bear Lake Premier Cabins offer the best accommodations in Garden City.

Escalante

Escalante is situated along the Utah Scenic Byway with approximately 800 residents. The town is surrounded by some of Utah's most fascinating landscapes, and a weekend getaway exploring them will be unforgettable. One is the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a series of iconic red rock formations looking like a staircase. Visitors can learn more about this geological wonder at the town's Visitors Center of the Monument. In addition, the Hole-In-The-Rock trail bordering the Grand Staircase is on the town's southeast end. The course got its name from creating a steep crevice in the western rim of Glen Canyon, making it look like a hole inside a rock. This historic trail runs between Kaiparowits Plateau and Escalante River, leading to the Glen Canyon Recreational Area. Also, it leads to the Devil's Garden, where unbelievable rock arches and sandstone formations are abundant, notably the Metate Arch and the Four Hoodoos.

The Canyon County Lodge and Escalante Outfitters are some of the best accommodations in town. 

Moab

Moab is one of the famous towns in Utah that leaves visitors gasping for breath due to its array of magnificent, rugged terrains. Located near the border with Colorado, the town hosts two National Parks - Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Arches is just a 10-minute drive from the city, and Canyonlands is about 30 minutes. These parks are the principal attractions to Moab and house most of its rugged landscapes of craggy cliffs, dramatic canyons, and stunning natural arches. While spending a weekend here, explore one of the parks, especially Arches National Park, to marvel at the artistic work of nature. The park's landscape is dotted with different red sandstone arches, which are wondrous and scenic. Also, tranquility prevails around the town due to fewer crowds, making it a perfect destination for shooting many action and thriller movies such as Star Trek. After exploring its landscapes, visitors can cool off at Moab Coffee Roasters or the Moab Brewery while downing exotic cocktails and vitalizing meals.

Gravity Haus and Ulum Moab are some of the best accommodations in town. 

Park City

Park City is a small mountain resort town in central Utah, perfect for laying low on a weekend while exploring unspoiled nature. The city is surrounded by epic views of the towering Wasatch Mountains at every turn, with many trails to hike. Some of the best trails include the 4.5-mile round trip Gamble Oak Trail and the 4-mile round trip Dawn's Trail, where birds have made their sanctuary. The town is also home to the biggest ski resort in the United States - Park City Mountain Resorts, which attracts people from all over the country. If visiting in winter, spending a weekend here skiing on its slopes is a must. Alternatively, the town is home to the Deer Valley Resort, Utah Olympic Park, and Woodward Park City, all offering exciting winter and year-round outdoor activities. Another exciting thing to witness in Park City is the globally acclaimed Sundance Film Festival, held every January, and the US's most prominent independent film festival.

Park City Peak Hotel, Marriott's Summit Watch, Hotel Park City, and the Autograph Collection offer some of the best stays. 

 Midway 

Midway is a charming little town located around 25 minutes from Park City. Here, visitors will be met with incredible winter scenery, with snow enveloping the entire landscape, transforming it into a smaller version of Switzerland. In addition to the fairy-tale-like decor, Midway is loaded with attractions like the famous Ice Castles, which are lit with beautiful lights every night, and the Utah Thermal Crater Hot Springs, which is a cozy (and wet) refuge from the freezing winter temperatures of the city. For those seeking more vigorous adventures, Midway presents Soldier Hollow, a great place to enjoy snow tubing and cross-country skiing. Midway Ice Rink is also a great place for outdoor adventures, and Herber Valley Railroad is nearby for those who crave an exciting trip where delicious chocolates are served. Regarding where to stay, Midway has cozy accommodations like the Homestead Resort and Zermatt Resort. 

Utah is naturally laid-back with its remarkable natural setting of stunning hills, mountains, valleys, rivers, and heaps of powdery snow in winter. As a result, its small towns are naturally charming and inviting, beckoning outdoor lovers, easy-going travelers seeking an escape from the norms, and artists looking for inspiration. Whether one decides to soak in hot springs, hike trails, attend a film festival, or visit a national park in these small towns of Utah, a weekend hideaway promises to be exceptional and memorable