7 Idyllic Small Towns In Utah To Visit In 2025
Utah’s landscape varies immensely depending on which region of the state you are visiting, and that is the pure beauty of the state. Snow and mountains are in one sector, and deserts and arches are in another. Nicknamed the Beehive State by early pioneers who worked as hard as bees, Utah provides countless opportunities for adventure, history, and leisure. Enjoy all these elements and more with a trip to any of these seven idyllic small towns.
Moab
Arguably one of the more popular destination towns in Utah, Moab is home to not only one, but two National Parks. One of those two parks is Arches National Park. With over 2,000 natural stone arches, this park displays a dazzling landscape different from most. Hike the trails to view the different formations within the parks. Walk around, under, and up to the tallest arches. A dozen different trailheads will lead you to the natural beauty within the park, including the famous Delicate Arch. The second National Park in the town is the slightly less visited Canyonlands National Park. Although not as widely recognized as Arches, it still contains thrilling displays of nature. Three different sections make up the park: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze, and each one holds unique identifiers. The Island in the Sky unit allows visitors to view the canyons from above, while The Needles features over 60 miles of trails through slickrock benches and sandy washes. The Maze is in a category of its own and is primarily a remote section, overtaken by backpackers due to its isolation. One final enticing recreation area in Moab is Dead Horse Point State Park. Desert landscape, canyons, woodland, and miles of trail are available for any thrill seeker within the park. Spend the night in one of their picturesque campgrounds and take in the night sky, and marvel at all the stars that come out.
Kanab
Another desert scape in Utah with stunning land formations is the town of Kanab. One of their more distinct attractions is the Moqui Cave. It’s an adventure inside a history lesson. Built within a cave is a museum that features Native American ancient relics, fluorescent minerals and rocks, fossils, and even preserved dinosaur tracks. When the cave was purchased in 1951 it was originally turned into a dance hall and bar, but a museum was always the endgame for the owners. Studying Geology, Archaeology, and Paleontology, the exhibits on display are the owner’s personal findings from years of studies and collecting. The collections include arrowheads, ceremonial jugs, pots, bowls, and working tools from the Puebloan Era. Another cave adventure in Kanab is the Sand Caves. These sand caves were man-made, unintentionally, when excavators began mining for sand. The hike through the caves only measures a half mile, but the sites make it worth visiting. Another exciting sand-influenced park to visit is Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. It’s a new and thrilling visit every time and no two experiences are the same, that is because the wind influence the mountains and hills of sand and they can move up to 50 feet in a year! Hike through the park or explore with an ATV to make the experience truly unique.
Park City
Park City is known for its multiple adventure parks, which have ample amounts of things to do all in one location. Start your adventure at Utah Olympic Park and enjoy all the amenities available. Originally constructed for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, this park contains one of four sliding tracks in North America, six Nordic ski jumps, a museum dedicated to the 2002 Winter Games, and countless other opportunities for fun. Bobsled, Alpine Coaster, and ski your way around the park. Another park filled with activity is Park City Mountain. Summer activities include the Mountain Coaster, Alpine Slide, ZipRider, a climbing wall, and more, while the winter activities are made up of skiing, snowboarding, and gondola rides. No matter the season, there is always something to do at this thrilling resort. For even more escapades in Park City, visit Boulder Mountain Ranch and enjoy one of their featured horseback rides. Witness mountain views through a forested trail, along with meadows and groves. The views alone are worth the trip.
Fillmore
The town of Fillmore has more interesting and diverse attractions than one small town should hold. From history to assorted terrain to interesting, there’s a little bit of everything in this town. Start your visit with history at the Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum. This is the oldest existing government building in the state and contains exhibits that reflect Utah’s Territorial Period. Also found on the grounds are restored pioneer cabins and a stone schoolhouse from 1867. For your next stop, surround yourself with the eccentric views of the Meadow Lava Tubes. Once upon a time, these tubes were a hotspot for volcanic activity; today, the tubes are solidified with dried lava for hikers to walk and scramble through. The central tuff ring has been nearly all but obliterated by eruptions, but still provides a daring adventure and historic overview. And finally, for an interesting stop, visit The Jeep Guy Museum. This family-owned museum emphasizes and showcases the legacy of Jeep's popularity. The museum contains past artifacts, trailers, and jeeps of vintage and newer models. Stop in and see the Jeeps on display and take pride in knowing they are all still being driven and enjoyed.
Hanksville
Hanksville has some distinct attractions that separate its appeal from other small Utah towns. Originally built for a gold mine, the creator, Edwin Thatcher Wolverton, died before ever discovering enough gold to make his fortune. Today, the Wolverton Mill stands as a monument to the innovator and can be accessed at all times for self-guided tours through and around the mill. Another interesting attraction is Carl’s Critters Garden. Housed where the Desert Inn Motel was previously located, the attraction features an array of critters, mostly dinosaurs, made from old car parts and pieces. In addition to the sculptures, philosophical messages are strewn throughout the park. Through his work, the artist shows his views on “kindness, judgment, ego, and the interconnectedness of all beings”. Another dinosaur-related activity to partake in while in Hanksville is a visit to the Burpee Dinosaur Quarry. This hands-on learning experience lets visitors dig for dinosaur bones in the quarry and help discover history. They will be able to prospect and excavate actual dinosaur fossils with training, tools, and equipment. Don’t miss out on a chance to be a paleontologist for a day!
Blanding
The town of Blanding is anything but bland with the attractions it has to offer. Start with a visit to Little Westwater Ruin and explore this easily accessible, underdeveloped ruin. The ruin can be found in Westwater Creek Canyon, which was once the home of Ancestral Puebloans. Hike the steep canyon to this alcove and admire the work it took to build this and other smaller structures along the way. Another site that features relics of the past is The Dinosaur Museum. Exhibits included Feathered Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs in Movies, and more. By stopping at the museum, you can experience the complete history of the world of dinosaurs. On display are skeletons, fossilized skin, eggs, footprints, and more. For another experience with the Ancestral Puebloans, the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum features the largest collection of their pottery in the museum, which is located right next to an authentic Puebloan village, which is open for exploring. The museum also features events and special exhibits that are constantly changing, so every experience is unique.
Green River
Filled with ample opportunities for hiking and exploring, Green River is a nature lover’s paradise. Start your visit at the strange and colorful Goblin Valley State Park. Littered with sandstone goblins and formations, the park is often compared to Mars due to its landscape. Explore the formations, and don’t miss an opportunity to camp among the nooks and gnomes. Another Utah park worth visiting is Green River State Park. The park offers a myriad of activities, including boating, golfing, and camping. Enjoy the shade of the cottonwood trees while bird watching or fishing. And for a final spot to enjoy all the beauty the state has to offer, spend an afternoon cooling off at Swasey's Beach. This sandy beach sits in shade provided by cottonwood trees that line the edge of the Book Cliffs. Occasionally, visitors even catch a glimpse of bighorn sheep drinking from the lake. Upstream from the campsite are rapids that make for a challenging but exciting kayak adventure.
Utah seems to have cornered the market on large rock formations and dinosaurs when it comes to its attractions. The historical aspects of their appeal make it a place worth visiting. Wander through caves, bobsled down the same track Olympians once did, or dig for actual dinosaur bones. No matter what your vacation demands, these seven idyllic small towns in Utah will provide just the entertainment you’re looking for.
