8 Cutest Small Towns In Utah
Few states in America have been so defined by a religious denomination as Utah, as the state was founded by Mormons fleeing West in search of a promised land. They believed they found it in Utah, and it's easy to understand why, as Utah has some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth, from soaring natural arches to deep canyons and hot springs. Within these natural places, one can also find cute towns, offering rich cultural experiences such as 19th century forts, a world class Shakespear festival, "Little Hollywood" and other such locales. Read on to find out more about the 8 cutest small towns in Utah.
Moab
Sitting in Eastern Utah by the Colorado River, Moab is one of the most picturesque small towns in Utah to visit. This is because it is situated between two huge national parks and two state parks that all offer unique experiences. First off is the Arches National Park, which has more than 2,000 natural stone arches. The most popular one is Delicate Arch, which is the largest freestanding arch in the park. About 32 miles outside of Moab is Canyonlands, the largest national park in Utah and home to the Island in the Sky, a 1,500-foot mesa that provides the best views of the area. For state parks, there's Dead Horse Point State Park, which has the best biking trail in Utah: the Intrepid Trail System. Last but certainly not least is the Utahraptor State Park, named after one of the dinosaurs found in the park. Here you can go hiking along trails like the Utahraptor Historic Trail, which contains the Dalton Wells CCC Camp, or take an ATV out along the 50-mile Sovereign Trail System.
Springdale
When visiting Utah, most want to go to one of the state's majestic national parks, especially Zion National Park. Springdale serves as a perfect base camp for exploring this natural wonder, while also providing a good deal of experiences itself. Within Springdale, there are multiple hiking trails, such as the Nung'wu Poa and the Steamboat Mountain Trail, or you can go to an art class and workshop held at the Canyon Community Center. There are many quiet places to get out and escape in Springdale, such as hiking along the Virgin River at the George Barker River Park or stargazing at night. Although Springdale isn't part of the Dark Sky Community yet, it has taken steps to reduce its light pollution. Just outside of Springdale, you can start your Zion National Park adventure at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center.
Fillmore
Prior to becoming a state, Fillmore was the capital of the Utah Territory. It was named after the lesser-known President Millard Fillmore. Today, this cute town offers a series of unique experiences, from a tragic cabin to a relaxing hot spring pool and historic monuments to the Mormons who settled here. One such place is Cove Fort, an 1867 structure built by the Mormons out of volcanic rock and limestone. It is one of the last forts from that era still standing in the West. Visitors can uncover Fillmore's territorial history at the Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum, as well as view the Old Millard County Courthouse by walking along the Historic Walking Trail. For those who would rather just kick back and rest in a warm bath, Fillmore has a 100-degree Fahrenheit spring pool at Meadow Hot Springs.
Cedar City
With a population of just under 41,000 people, Cedar City is a bit larger than other towns on this list, but it still possesses a cute small-town vibe alongside beautiful natural places that define so many places in Utah. Cedar City calls itself the gateway to Utah's National Parks, but the one it's closest to is the Cedar Breaks National Monument. At 10,000 feet above sea level, the national monument has several meadows full of native wildflowers, which you can see at the Alpine Pond Loop Trail, or you can get grand views of the surrounding landscapes via the 5-mile South Rim Trail. Cedar City has a rich arts scene as well, which is on display at the Southern Utah Museum of Art and the Stillman and Shakespeare Sculpture Gardens. You can catch a Shakespearean performance at the Utah Shakespeare Festival, which puts on different plays from the Bard each year.
Midway
Midway was first visited by a group of fur traders in 1824, but wasn't settled until 1858. It sits within the picturesque Heber Valley, with the backdrop of several mountains to the north of town. Midway has its fair share of intriguing sites, both natural and manmade. One of its best-kept secrets is the Utah Crater, also called the Homestead Caldera. This 10,000-year-old site is a geothermal hot spot, with a 65-foot deep pool that has an average temperature of 95 degrees. Visitors can go scuba diving in this toasty water or swim on its surface. You can get one of the best views of the larger Heber Valley by driving up a dirt road to Memorial Hill, which also honors the names of 2,400 individuals who served in the U.S. military. While you're in town, try out some locally made cheese at the Heber Valley Milk & Artisan Cheese store. Midway is close to Wasatch Mountain State Park, which offers skiing, snow tubing, hiking trails, and golf courses.
Park City
Located east of Salt Lake City is a city with a grand sports history: Park City. It famously hosted the Olympic bobsled, skeleton, and luge track during the 2002 Olympic Games. Today, Park City is still a major center for Olympic athletes, as many train for the games at the Utah Olympic Park. Park City also holds an important role in film history, as it was the original host of the Sundance Film Festival. With such a rich pedigree, Park City has a large number of attractions to visit, ranging from 185 miles of trails via Basin Recreation to going cross-country skiing with White Pine Touring. Park City also has a rich array of shopping options, like old-style western hats at Warbonnet Hats or a nice book at Atticus Coffee, Books & Tea House.
Kanab
Kanab has had a star-studded history. With its majestic canyon landscape, it served as a backdrop for several Western films and even earned the nickname Little Hollywood. It is sandwiched between two national parks: Zion National Park to the North and Grand Canyon National Park to the South, which makes it a popular hub town with plenty of experiences to try out. One of these is the Little Hollywood Museum, which contains a movie set used by Clint Eastwood for his film The Outlaw Josey Wales. The museum sits next to the Trading Post at Little Hollywood, which sells Native American arts and jewelry. For a look at Kanab's overall history, go to the Kanab Museum, which hosts exhibits on the Puebloans to the pioneers, or explore the 1894 Kanab Heritage House, a Queen Anne-style structure which was called the first modern house in the county.
Torrey
Torrey sits at the entrance to Capitol Reef National Park at 6,830 feet above sea level. Most of the people who live here are descendants of the Mormon pioneers who settled here in the 1880s. In its tiny downtown strip, there are a few cutesy businesses to visit, including The Wild Rabbit Café and The Torrey Gallery of Fine Art. At night, Torrey literally lights up, as it is part of the International Dark Sky Community, which enables you to see the stars like never before without light pollution. Capitol Reef National Park is also part of this Dark Sky Community, but it has plenty to see during the daytime. Hikers can explore the red rock trails and slot canyons, while drivers can go down the 8-mile Capitol Reef Scenic Drive.
Gateways to beauty
In many ways, these cute towns serve as gateways, not just to national parks but to beautiful places and experiences. By going to Park City, one can imagine the roar of the Olympic Games while walking through Utah Olympic Park. In Torrey, one can sit back and view the stars like how they used to look before the onset of artificial lights. These are just a few of the attractions, shops, and parks one can find in these cute towns. To see of all of it, you'll have to visit them for yourself.
