9 Offbeat Utah Towns To Visit In 2025
The state of Utah is nicknamed the "Beehive State" after Mormon pioneer Brigham Young called it "Deseret," an ancient word for "honeybee" according to the Book of Mormon. Fittingly, it's often buzzing with visitors thanks in part to its unique towns. With beauty and magnificence similar to the big cities of Salt Lake City and Saint George, the many small towns of Utah have evolved from their former pioneer communities and historic dwelling places, becoming cultural gateways to many natural and scenic wonders. You should not miss a chance to explore them if you are planning a trip to Utah this year.
Mount Pleasant
Roughly 90 minutes south of Salt Lake City lies the town of Mount Pleasant, bountiful and resplendent in history and impressive mountain imagery. Home to the prestigious Wasatch Academy, Utah’s oldest continually operating secondary school, Mount Pleasant’s roots date back to the 1800s when Mormon settlers had to flee to nearby Manti during conflicts like the Black Hawk War and Wakara's War. The community flourished after settlers returned, founding industries and welcoming visitors to enjoy outdoor sites like the San Pitch River and Nebo Loop National Scenic Byway and surrounding peaks like Horse Heaven Mountain and Candland Mountain.
Monticello
Sitting at over 7,000 feet in the Abajo Mountains, Monticello is one of Utah’s highest towns. From a panoramic vantage point, you can soak in picture-perfect views of Canyonlands National Park, Manti-La Sal National Forest, and several other incredible landmarks across the Colorado Plateau. Monticello Lake and Indian Creek provide hospitable and cooling waters for you to escape the high-noon heat. Meanwhile, lore-filled landmarks such as the ancient Bears Ears National Monument and Hovenweep National Monument preserve the ancestral dwellings of the Pueblo Nations and Anasazi peoples. Additionally, Newspaper Rock is a cliffside canvas filled with centuries-old petroglyphs, so you can see more of the legacy of Utah’s early Native Americans. You also ought to check out local lodgings like Monticello Inn, Atomic Blue Motor Inn, or Rodeway Inn & Suites to make the most of your stay.
Moab
Known as the natural playground of southeastern Utah, the mesmerizing town of Moab is about 54 miles from Monticello and world-famous for its surreal rock formations and red sandstone cliffs. This destination, hailed as “nature’s masterpiece,” showcases striking landscapes that have appeared in movies like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Galaxy Quest, and The Lone Ranger. Those walking around Moab’s cliffs and buttes can follow the meandering Colorado River toward dynamic wonders such as the Arches National Park, a landscape of over 2,000 red rock arches. You can also journey within the Canyonlands National Park across imposing mesas and see humongous sandstone spires dominating the flat terrain. Additionally, at the Dead Horse Point State Park, one can go hiking and camping with splendid views of the Colorado River and indescribable features surrounding it. Finally, this region is home to a prospering Native American heritage, with ancient petroglyphs carved by tribes such as the Navajo, Hopi, and Pueblo peoples. You can relax and refresh for a new day of adventure at the Moab Springs Ranch, Aarchway Inn, or Gravity Haus Moab if you ever become exhausted from all the rewarding travel.
Kanab
Often dubbed “Little Hollywood,” the popular town of Kanab has served as the backdrop for classic films including Sergeants 3, Desperate Hours, and The Outlaw Josey Wales. The town’s name comes from the Paiute word for “place of the willows," and it is ideally situated for travelers headed to places like Bryce Canyon, a natural amphitheater overlooking magnificent rock and tucked-away forests. Additionally, Kanab happens to be close to Lake Powell, a tranquil and vibrant body of water that winds down to the state of Arizona. For more idyllic explorations, you can venture to the nearby Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park for its buggy rides through the rolling sands. You might also be interested in touring the Moqui Cave, a former dwelling place for Native Americans converted into a rock collection gallery, shop, bar, and museum. In this town that possibly inspired author Zane Grey, whose novel Riders of the Purple Sage was written while he resided there, you can relive the life of the hectic Wild West during the Western Legends Heritage and Music Festival in July and August.
Panguitch
The attractions in the town of Panguitch, approximately 67 miles from Kanab, exemplify the almost unchanged natural beauty of Utah. Travelers will be smitten with the nearby immense and immersive Bryce Canyon National Park, famous for its colorful hoodoos. Adjacent lies the Dixie National Forest and peaceful Panguitch Lake, both veritable retreats when one wishes to get away from the dazzling heat of the sun. For a real Western experience, newcomers to Panguitch can saddle up for horseback rides through Kodachrome Basin and the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, where artifacts from cultures like the Anasazi, Fremont, and Paiute have been discovered. Every June, the town celebrates the Quilt Walk Festival, a life-affirming homage to settlers who braved snowy mountains by laying down quilts to reach the town in 1864. Even more surprises and attractions are in store in this town named from the Southern Paiute word meaning “big fish,” so take things nice and easy when spending your evenings in luxurious lodgings such as The Golden Spur Hotel, Panguitch Countryside Cabins, or Color Country Motel.
Bluff
Bluff is an exhilarating desert town nestled among dramatic sandstone cliffs. Just under an hour's drive from Monticello, the town named after the many bluffs surrounding it shines as a fantastic base for exploring ancient Native American sites like Hovenweep National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument. The nearby San Juan River is an excellent spot for kayaking adventures through gooseneck bends that eventually lead to Goosenecks State Park. For those who prefer dry land, the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway showcases miles of ancient routes lined with historic rock carvings, especially at the Sand Island Petroglyphs. One can also learn more about the area’s pioneer history at Bluff Fort, a restored settlement along the old Hole-in-the-Rock Trail. You can seek rooms and accommodations from the Kokopelli Inn, La Posada Pintada, and Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa should you ever wish to spend your cool and comfortable evenings in one of Bluff’s humble abodes.
Springdale
Springdale, situated just outside Zion National Park, provides many opportunities for exploration. It is easy to access the Zion National Park’s bucolic wonders from the town itself, including the Greatheart Mesa, Court of the Patriarchs, and the famous Subway, a rock tunnel and hiking route like no other. If you follow the Virgin River, you will be led towards the Temple of Sinawava, an amphitheater-like opening and glade where one can find two unique waterways known as the Narrows and Big Springs. Before you begin your journey, you should definitely visit the Zion Human History Museum to learn more about indigenous cultures, the Zion National Park, and its neighboring regions. Lastly, Springdale has several cozy stays where you can unwind after a long day's trek, like Zion Canyon Lodge, Canyon Vista Lodge, or Driftwood Lodge.
Huntsville
Huntsville, one of the oldest small towns in Utah, is roughly 12 miles east of Ogden. Established in 1860, it remains a peaceful retreat with easy access to the Ogden Valley and Pineview Reservoir, the latter being great for recreational pursuits. The Anderson Cove Campground opens its arboreal backyards for those eager to go camping and hiking in the state's outdoors. Weber Memorial Park is likewise an excellent region filled with trails and treks. However, for even more exhilarating pursuits, you can go skiing and snowboarding down Huntsville’s many mountain slopes at the Snowbasin Resort. In September, you can get pumped and excited during the annual marathon; similarly, you can take part in the quirky and unusual Huntsville Grand Prix, a cyclekart race, in May. Ultimately, you have the option of enjoying your riveting stay in the Atomic Chalet Bed & Breakfast.
Bountiful
Just over 11 miles north of Salt Lake City, the aptly named Bountiful was one of the first settlements established by Mormon pioneers in 1847. It was originally named Sessions Settlement for its founder, Perrigrine Sessions, but it later adopted the name Bountiful from an identically named location in The Book of Mormon. The town has seen its share of early struggles, surviving raids and maintaining historic areas like the Bountiful Tabernacle, Utah’s oldest Mormon meetinghouse. Today, outdoor lovers can fall in love with trips within the nearby Wasatch Range. You can also admire the natural scenery of the Legacy Nature Preserve and marvel at the surreal shores of the Great Salt Lake, undoubtedly saltier than the saltiest parts of the world’s oceans.
Utah’s name may come from a Pueblo word meaning "mountain people,” but this state offers so much more than just high peaks. Its small towns are gateways to varying natural landmarks and astonishing figures and epochs from bygone times. From the prehistoric sites around Monticello and Bluff to the unique rock formations in Panguitch, along with the manmade beauty of the Pineview Reservoir in Huntsville, the many offbeat Utah towns to visit in 2025 will have you buzzing like a honeybee in the Beehive State.
