7 Utah Towns That Locals Love

Utah may be known for its stunning national parks and red rock formations, but it’s the small towns that capture its heart. There are certain areas of a state that go unnoticed by tourists, but the locals know them by name. These hidden communities in the Beehive State are where you can witness some of the darkest skies in the country, explore Puebloan ruins, or pick your own peaches (yes, Utah has peach orchards!). Whether you’re seeking isolated hiking retreats or unique cultural experiences, each destination promises something uniquely Utah.

Moab

There’s a lot to love about the southeastern town of Moab, located in the Colorado Plateau. It’s a hub for outdoor adventure and stunning rock formations, especially within Arches National Park. This national park boasts over 2,000 natural stone arches and has some of the best sunsets in the state. Moab is also close to another locally-loved escape, the Canyonlands National Park. If you want to earn some of the best views of the Colorado Plateau, hiking to the Grand View Point Overlook offers sweeping vistas of red rock formations where the desert stretches out as far as the eye can see.

While the scenery in Moab is isolated and peaceful, there’s still plenty to see downtown. The Moab Museum is a great place to learn about the beautiful lands of the Colorado Plateau with paleontology, geology, and archaeology exhibits. The best time to visit Moab is when the entire town comes alive during the Moab Music Festival, where the “Music is in Concert with the Landscape”. An impressive roster performs at various scenic locations throughout Moab during the final weeks of summer.

Midway

Located southeast of Salt Lake City is the hidden gem of Midway, affectionately referred to as the “Switzerland of the West”. It all began as a humble settlement for Swiss immigrants, and their heritage can be felt from every corner of the community. From Swiss-inspired architecture that feels like walking through a sleepy Swiss village to the towering mountains in the distance, it’s the perfect retreat in the heart of the Heber Valley. The best time to visit is during Swiss Days, which celebrates Midway’s heritage with parades, food trucks, and craft vendors over Labor Day weekend.

The Swiss architecture and old-world feel aren’t the only thing that makes Midway a wonderful place to visit. It’s home to some unique attractions, most notably the Homestead Crater. It’s a beautiful geothermal hot spring hidden inside a 55-foot limestone dome, perfect for swimming, soaking, and scuba diving. For aboveground adventures, Wasatch Mountain State Park is located north of central Midway and has lovely hiking trails and historical landmarks like the Tate Barn.

Torrey

Nestled in south-central Utah is the underrated town of Torrey, known as the Gateway to Capitol Reef National Park. With just under 300 residents, it’s an idyllic hamlet where the skies are dark, the views are breathtaking, and the locals will make you feel right at home. There’s no better proof of the Americana feelings of Torrey than the annual festival of Torrey Apple Days. Held over the 4th of July weekend, it celebrates America’s independence with parades, food trucks, craft vendors, and the annual Apple Race, where participants race apples down a canal for prizes.

Torrey is a short 6-minute drive from the Capitol Reef National Park, which is one of Utah’s most underrated parks. The park has amazing trails that traverse red rock cliffs, through charming orchards, covered bridges, and sprawling canyons. While many popular national parks can get a little crowded, Capitol Reef National Park feels more intimate and remote. When you’re ready to recharge after a long day of exploring the scenic beauty of Torrey, there are charming coffee shops and diners, like The Wild Rabbit Cafe or Slackers Burger Joint, where you can get to know the locals.

Panguitch

In the southwestern corner of Utah, Panguitch is a charming mountain town with a big heart. If you’re in the mood for a quiet little pioneer village, its quiet streets and cooler climates make it a wonderful retreat. The elevation in Panguitch is around 6,600 feet, so the temperatures in the area are much cooler than the rest of the region. The style of Panguitch is old-fashioned, but it has quirky little diners like the Flying Goat, serving up classic American cuisine, or Wanderlust Cowgirl Coffee.

Panguitch is also a short drive from Bryce Canyon National Park, famous for its hoodoos, which are tall spires of rock, sculpted by erosion from rock layers. It’s a quiet, peaceful place to go for a hike or watch the sun set over the vast desert. If you visit the area in late June, you can catch the annual Hot Air Balloon Rally, where the sky ignites in an array of bright colors as hot air balloons take to the skies. It’s more than just hot air balloon rides and colorful skies; it’s an entire weekend event with craft vendors, food trucks, and live music.

Blanding

Tucked away in the southeastern corner is the small village of Blanding, in the heart of the Ancestral Puebloan ruins. You can learn more about the ruins by visiting the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum in Blanding, which houses the ruins of an ancient Puebloan village dating back over 1,000 years. The museum hosts artifacts from the Puebloan village, and offers stunning views of the Cedar Mesa cliffs in the distance. When you’re ready to lace up your hiking boots and explore this town locked away in time, the Natural Bridges National Monument offers amazing hiking trails, overlooks, and unique sandstone bridges nestled in the high-desert landscape.

After a day of exploring the more remote areas of Utah in Blanding, nothing tastes better than a cozy meal at the Patio Diner or a quiet walk down Main Street. The best time to visit Blanding is during the Blanding Independence Day Celebration, which is one of the biggest community events in southern Utah. The event is a city-wide party, with live performances, craft vendors, and family-friendly activities at Centennial Park.

Beaver

East of the Tushar Mountains is the Beaver, a community known for its beaver population along the Beaver River (hence the name!). While Beaver may be known for its beautiful landscapes, the downtown area bustles with unique attractions, like the Beaver Court House Museum or the dairy-farm-linked eatery The Creamery, serving up anything from ice cream to tasty grilled cheese sandwiches.

While the ice cream is always amazing in Beaver, the whole town comes alive during Beaver Pioneer Day! The city-wide festival celebrates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847 with crafts, great food, and reenactments of pioneer history. If you want to explore the natural beauty of Beaver Valley, the Rock Corral Recreation Area is a great spot to hike or rock climb.

Hurricane

At the very bottom of the state, not too far from the Arizona border, is Hurricane, a nature lover’s paradise. One of its biggest attractions is the Zion National Park, with its massive sandstone cliffs, views of the Virgin River cutting through the canyons, and tranquil waterfalls. Another popular spot with the locals is the hidden oasis of Sand Hollow State Park, known for its blueish-green waters, red sandstone cliffs, and idyllic beaches that feel like a remote, distant planet.

There’s no denying Hurricane's natural beauty, but it’s also rich with friendly locals and interesting attractions. The residents of Hurricane bookend their summer with the annual Peach Days festival, held every Labor Day weekend. Hurricane was once famous for its orchards (peaches in particular), and it celebrates its fruit farming roots. The festival has a little of everything: parades, carnival rides, rodeos, car shows, and peach cook-off competitions. If you miss the festival, don’t worry, there are still orchards in town. The Hurricane Valley Fruit Farms, where you can pick your own fruit when it is in season, or grab some at the Hurricane Farmer’s Market.

Explore The Cozy Corners Of Utah

These cozy corners of Utah are locally famous for a reason. From hot air balloon festivals in Panguitch to peach picking in Hurricane, these cozy corners of Utah are a great place to visit for a little while… or forever! With friendly locals, charming old-timey diners, and national parks that will steal your breath, it’s easy to see why the locals love these lovely retreats so much. When you’re ready to travel off the highway and discover towns far removed from the bustle of the bigger Utah cities, these destinations are sure to capture your heart.