7 Most Welcoming Towns In Utah's Countryside
Discover the magic in Utah’s countryside, where red rock cliffs catch the sunrise, quiet valleys tell a story, and the night sky sparkles with more stars than you can count. Imagine wandering abandoned movie sets near Kanab, where the spirit of the Old West lingers, or breathing in the crisp air as you stroll past the historic streets of Panguitch. Whether you are hiking, exploring historic main streets, or striking up a conversation with a local in a family-owned restaurant, these seven small countryside towns in the Beehive State invite you to linger a little longer as you break away from the hustle and bustle.
Panguitch
Tucked away in southwestern Utah, you will find Panguitch, which comes from a Native American phrase meaning “big fish.” While Bryce Canyon is one of the top destinations in the state, Panguitch is home to the site’s “lesser-known neighbor,” Red Canyon, which features two red-rock arch tunnels over Scenic Byway 12. Aside from offering numerous photo spots, Red Canyon is a popular destination for biking, hiking, horseback riding, and camping. After a long day out in the heat, cool off with a stop at the Panguitch Gem Theater to catch a movie. Open since 1909, the family-owned movie theater shows the latest flicks, which you can watch while enjoying housemade ice cream and waffle cones. You can also stop in the theater’s rock shop, where you can pick up a unique souvenir before you head home.
Make the most of your trip to Panguitch by planning your visit in mid-June for the annual Panguitch Quilt Walk Festival, which celebrates a group of pioneers who came to the town in 1863. Today, the festival offers a chance for quilters to come together, sew, and show off their work. Not a quilter? You will still enjoy the festival! Check out the block party, the pioneer home tour, or the chocolate fest to keep you busy.
Green River
As its name suggests, the town of Green River, in the eastern part of the state, is famous for its flowing river by the same name. However, whether you can't get enough of the water or prefer to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, there is plenty to enjoy on your visit. Make your first stop in town the Green River State Park, which is perfect for spending the day out on the water or working on your golf swing. The park is centered around a boat launch into the Green River and boasts a nine-hole golf course, a disc golf course, and sheltered campgrounds. Another popular outdoor spot, just 10 miles south of town, is Crystal Geyser, a partially man-made geyser on the shores of the Green River. Also known as a “soda pop geyser,” the cold water geyser is CO2-driven; however, eruptions can be more than 24 hours apart, so you may have to visit a few times to see it for yourself.
If you consider yourself a history buff, leave time to explore the John Wesley Powell River Museum, where you can learn about the one-armed western trailblazer, who was involved in the first-known passage through the Grand Canyon by Europeans. The museum also celebrates other Western river explorers and has exhibits on geology, dinosaurs, and more. Are you planning a trip to Green River in September? Check out the annual Melon Days Festival. For more than 100 years, the event has celebrated the area’s melon growers, featuring a family-friendly parade, free melon samples, and more.
Torrey
Known as the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park, the friendly town of Torrey is a popular destination for those looking to explore the great outdoors. If you are traveling to the area by camper, set up in Thousand Lakes RV Park, which offers incredible mountain views, a swimming pool, and homemade muffins on site. Once you are all set up and ready to explore, check out the Capitol Reef Petroglyphs in the national park, which are believed to have been engraved by the Fremont and Ancestral Puebloan people between 600 and 1300 A.D. The markings are in various areas throughout the park, including at Capitol Gorge and past the boardwalk located near the visitor center.
When you are ready for a bite to eat after a day of exploring, head to The Rim Rock Patio, where you can sit inside or enjoy dinner with a view of the red rock cliffs by sitting outside. The western cafe often features live music and offers delicious specialties like baked spaghetti, BBQ sandwiches, and pizzas.
Kanab
Affectionately known as “Little Hollywood,” Kanab, just north of the Arizona state border, was a popular spot for American filmmakers for nearly 80 years. As you explore the town, keep an eye out for abandoned film sets, movie posters, and autographed pictures. There is no shortage of nature to explore in Kanab, but one of the more unique ways to do so is by visiting the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Home to more than 1,600 horses, dogs, cats, pigs, and more, it is the largest sanctuary of its kind in the country. You can take guided tours of the sanctuary, explore the site’s hiking trails on your own, or even book a volunteer shift to get up close and personal with the animals. If you are looking for a bit more adventure, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is calling your name. Spanning over 3,700 acres, the dunes were formed by the erosion of Navajo sandstone cliffs and are perfect for outdoor adventurers.
Beyond hiking, you can also rent sand sleds and sand boards, or book a guided tour of the site to see all the best spots for exploring. When you are ready for a break from the heat, visit Moqui Cave, where the temperatures never go above 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The museum will teach you all about southern Utah, with exhibits on dinosaurs, geology, and Native American history. Do not miss the fluorescent mineral display at the museum, where this collection of minerals glows under ultraviolet light.
Garden City
In northeastern Utah, on the shores of Bear Lake, you will find the welcoming town of Garden City. No matter what time of year you decide to visit, you will quickly realize that there is plenty to keep you busy while you explore. Bear Lake is known as the “Caribbean of the Rockies,” thanks to its stunning turquoise water. One of the best ways to enjoy it for yourself is by going to Bear Lake Fun, where you can rent jet skis, boats, kayaks, UTVs, and more. Make the most of your stay by renting one of the Bear Lake Fun camping cabins, which sleep between 6 and 8 people, and give you easy access to the water. For a cold-weather stay, plan your trip around the Bear Lake Monster Winterfest. Held annually at the end of January, the event allows you to participate in free winter sports, like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. There is also a popular chili cook-off, and if you are feeling brave, you can join in the Monster Plunge, where you can jump in the frigid water to help raise money for local charities. If you are a lover of the arts, plan a stop at the Pickleville Playhouse while in Garden City. More than just a venue, this dinner theater puts on exciting plays while you feast on delicious Mexican food like tacos, fajitas, and churros for dessert.
Vernal
Also known as “Dinosaurland,” the town of Vernal, with its pink brontosaurus statue, is the perfect getaway for those interested in learning more about fossils. First up, head to the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum. Featuring hands-on exhibits focused on geology and the Earth’s history, as you explore the museum, you can see a 90-foot Diplodocus skeleton, a dig site simulation, and an interactive fossil lab. When you are ready to head outside, hike the Moonshine Arch Trail, which features a sandstone arch that is 40 feet tall. The trail is just under a mile and a half out and back and is accessible by foot or by vehicle. To take an even deeper dive into the area’s geological wonders, head to Red Fleet State Park, which features ancient dinosaur tracks and boating and fishing opportunities in the picturesque Red Fleet Reservoir.
Blanding
Blanding, in the southeastern part of the state, offers a blend of prehistoric wonders, Native American history, and western cowboy culture, making it a great place to visit, regardless of your interests. As your first stop in town, make your way to Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum, which is home to the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) pottery in the Four Corners region. The museum also has a Visible Storage exhibit, where you can watch the curator work behind glass walls, giving you a unique look at the impressive pottery collection not out on display. If you are interested in bringing some beautiful pottery home with you, head to Cedar Mesa Pottery on South Main Street. There, you will find handcrafted Native American pottery signed by Navaho artists, in a variety of shapes and sizes. To learn more about the ancient beings that used to roam Blanding, visit The Dinosaur Museum, which has life-size dinosaur sculptures, in addition to a special exhibit all about the dinosaurs featured in movies over the decades. You can even stop by the museum's gift shop to pick up a dinosaur film before you head out of town.
Discover Hidden Gems Across Utah
As you explore the Beehive State, you will quickly realize that these countryside towns have a way of capturing your heart in a way that larger cities cannot. Whether you are exploring dinosaur ruins in Vernal or enjoying a lakeside adventure in Garden City, each of these towns offers its own flavor, with plenty of smiling faces along the way. These seven towns are the places where every turn in the road feels like a new chapter, reminding you that sometimes the most unforgettable memories are made when you veer off the beaten path.
