9 Best Utah Towns For A Weekend Trip
When it comes to getaways and vacations, Utah really does live up to its reputation. After all, this Mountain West state is home to some of the United States’ finest ski resorts, along with several of the nation’s most beloved national park lands and a variety of fascinating yet inviting small towns. At one end of the state, visitors can navigate their way up, down, and around massive snow-capped mountains. And at the other end, take in the vibrant colors of the red rock sandstone formations of the vast desert. From top gems like Park City and Garden City to friendly communities like Moab and Vernal, find the best Utah towns for a weekend trip.
Garden City
About 116 miles southeast of Pocatello (Idaho) lies Garden City, a lovely lakeside village that does more than enough to earn the title of “Caribbean of the Rockies.” A key highlight in town is Bear Lake State Park, a convenient access point to the magnificent turquoise waters of its namesake Bear Lake that is open year-round for boating and fishing. Meanwhile, for those wanting chill thrills on higher ground, Beaver Mountain Ski Resort is a family-owned resort with 48 trails across 880 acres for skiing and snowboarding. And for even more adventures on open snow, Franklin Basin and Wood Camp trails work great for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.
After a long day skiing the mountains or fishing at the lake, it is always a good idea to retreat to the Sunrise Resort at Harbor Village. Not only does this complex have plenty of individual condos available to book as vacation rentals, but larger groups can book an entire building of guest rooms for family retreats and corporate events!
Eden
It might only be a 17-mile drive from Ogden to Eden, yet this small mountain town looks and feels a world away from the troubles of the outside world. Though other Rocky Mountain towns may be more famous for their ski scenes, true winter sports enthusiasts love Eden for its world-class ski resorts. For a low-key and family-friendly ski day, Nordic Valley fits the bill with its great variety of trails (40 in total) across 300 acres, catering to skiers at all levels. Then, for the giant crown jewel of Utah ski resorts, there is Powder Mountain with its 5,000+ acres of skiable terrain offering up to 2,522 feet of vertical drop. And to ski where Olympic athletes competed in 2002, Snowbasin continues to shine across 3,000 acres, with 114 acres and up to 2,900 feet of vertical drop.
Once one is ready for a different kind of après-ski, it is a worthwhile return into town to check out New World Distillery and its refined collection of gins, vodkas, and agave-based spirits. Then, folks can head up to Edelweiss, a secluded bed-and-breakfast near Nordic Valley offering comfy suites with ample living space, fully private bathrooms, and even private kitchen and dining areas.
Park City
Park City is not just a ski town, but the full Utah mountain luxury lifestyle experience, and it is just 30 miles east of Salt Lake City. There is top-notch skiing at Deer Valley, a well-rounded resort with a balanced mix of trails that cater to skiers at all levels, a grand total of 202 trails across 4,300 acres, up to 3,040 feet of vertical drop, and excellent guest services throughout the resort. For even more quality time in the mountains, Park City Mountain has a whopping 349 trails across 7,300 acres, an ample array of advanced and expert-level runs, a summit of 10,023 feet above sea level, and up to 3,226 feet of vertical drop.
Even for those who can only handle so much time on the ski slopes, there is plenty more to see and do in Park City’s Main Street Historic District. Here, top highlights include the Park City Museum’s award-winning collection of artifacts and exhibits showing what the town was like before it became a ski town, and elevated gourmet dining and libations at Riverhorse on Main. To complete the ideal Park City ski trip, visitors can book a stay at Pendry Park City, a ski-in/ski-out luxury resort near the brand new high-speed Sunrise Gondola offering tasty fine dining, an on-site boutique spa, and a lineup of posh and plush rooms and suites.
Vernal
Around 140 miles northwest of Grand Junction (Colorado) sits Vernal, a Utah town with such an extensive backstory that it is prehistoric! Vernal serves as Utah’s gateway to Dinosaur National Monument, where travelers can view some 1,500 dinosaur fossils (that were excavated in the region) on display at Quarry Exhibit Hall, spot ancient human-made rock carvings at the Swelter Shelter Petroglyphs, and even discover the remains of a 19th-century homestead at Ruple Ranch. For even more fun with dinosaurs, the Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum has an interactive fossil lab experience alongside additional local dinosaur fossils on display, while Red Fleet State Park has hiking trails leading to Jurassic-era (about 200 million years old) dinosaur tracks.
In case anyone craves a calmer spot to enjoy Vernal’s wide-open spaces, Steinaker State Park has a lovely reservoir that is regularly open for fishing, paddling, and boating. And to cap off one’s Vernal getaway, it is worth staying at Dinosaur Inn & Suites, which offers recently remodeled rooms and suites alongside a full hot breakfast every morning.
Moab
Nestled in the vast and vibrant desert backcountry of eastern Utah is Moab, a town best known for its spectacular public lands. Right by town lies Arches National Park, a 73,234-acre preserve that protects iconic natural landmarks like Delicate Arch, Double O Arch, Tower Arch, and over 2,000 more natural sandstone arches. A short drive west leads to Dead Horse Point State Park, a beautiful expanse of deep canyons and high-desert woodlands. Also in the area is Canyonlands National Park, Utah’s largest national park, where the Green and Colorado Rivers converge, and one with a seemingly endless stretch of great canyon vistas and striking sandstone spires. And in case folks want to do even more in Moab’s great outdoors, Sand Flats Recreation Area is the region’s designated spot for ATV and extreme bike riding.
Should anyone need some time to rest, relax, and recover, Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa makes quite a comfortable basecamp in Moab. Not only does this resort offer luxurious custom cabins, but it also boasts delicious farm-to-table fine dining at River Grill, a cozy country-style general store at JJ’s Mercantile, the full-service Sorrel Spa, and plenty of guided experiences available via concierge.
Torrey
Perched high on Utah’s end of the Colorado Plateau is Torrey, a tiny town at the foot of some of the American Southwest’s most splendid rose-colored landscapes. Just outside of town is Capitol Reef National Park, an ethereal wonderland with unique features like the Waterpocket Fold monocline, the eroded sandstone spires and mesas of Cathedral Valley, and the Fremont Culture era petroglyphs at Fruita.
For even more exhilarating adventures, travelers can drive farther south to Boulder Mountain, North America’s highest timbered plateau, dotted with some 80 lakes and ponds. And if that is still not enough, Thousand Lake Mountain sits to the west of the national park and abounds in leafy alpine forests, craggy cliffs, and gorgeous desert vistas.
Once visitors return to town, they can find some pleasing refreshments at Etta Place Cidery & Taproom, the area’s only licensed bar and distillery serving its own ciders alongside Utah-made beers and fine craft cocktails. And for the ultimate in Capitol Reef Country hospitality, there is Cougar Ridge Resort, a luxury ranch resort with a stunning selection of rooms and suites, a full-service spa on site, and a plethora of fun activities available on and off property.
Brian Head
It is a roughly 205-mile drive from Las Vegas (Nevada) to Brian Head, yet this journey leads to a chill Utah town and the perfect mountain village for escaping to higher ground. A key attraction here is Brian Head Resort, a ski area with a 9,600-foot base elevation, 61 trails across 650 acres, and a balanced mix of beginner-friendly and more advanced runs. But for those wanting a less groomed experience in Southern Utah’s great outdoors, Cedar Breaks National Monument is also nearby, and this park preserves a natural amphitheater that drops some 2,000 feet and amounts to a three-mile cirque with colorful layers of limestone, shale, and sandstone. And for a calmer time at the lake, it is also a short drive over to Navajo Lake and Wood Ranch Park, where visitors can go fishing for rainbow trout, brook trout, and splake (a hybrid trout).
After a busy day on the slopes or in the wilderness, visitors can finish on the right note with a great night’s stay at Brian Head Lodge, the town’s original guest lodge with cozy rooms and suites alongside sweet amenities like an indoor heated pool and an outdoor hot tub.
Big Water
Big Water might seem like a remote outpost some 147 miles north of Flagstaff (Arizona), yet a closer look reveals all sorts of enticing surprises. For one, this village sits right by Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, some of Utah’s most rugged and pristine public lands, defined by massive sandstone cliffs, intimate slot canyons, and special treasures like the Wahweap Hoodoos and the Toadstool Hoodoos. Also nearby is Lone Rock Beach, a beach and campground on the Utah side that provides boat access to the magnificent waters of Lake Powell. And in case folks prefer to head out with an experienced guide, Up Lake Adventures offers guided fishing trips and more deluxe Axopar boat cruises.
For even more glorious natural beauty, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is right across the Arizona state line, and it is home to even more striking natural landmarks like The Wave and Paria Canyon. Whatever one decides to do in and around Big Water, one can do it in epic style and glamour at the nearby Amangiri. This elite ultra-luxury resort spreads across some 600 acres of stunning red rock-adorned desert and has everything from lavish suites and villas to an on-site deluxe spa and mouthwatering gourmet dining to make one’s stay here extra special.
Springdale
Springdale may only be around 164 miles northeast of Las Vegas, yet this Utah town lets travelers escape the blinding lights of the Las Vegas Strip and enter another world of majestic red rock monoliths, deep sandstone canyons, and plenty more otherworldly natural delights. No trip here feels complete without visiting Zion National Park, Utah’s first national park and the place where one will find the world-famous hiking trail to the heavenly Angels Landing, the natural amphitheater and narrow slot canyon at the Temple of Sinawava, and the otherworldly rock formations of Checkerboard Mesa.
Even outside the national park boundaries, there is more to explore, including the fascinating historic structures of Grafton Ghost Town that filmmakers have used as a backdrop for movies like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969). And right by the national park entrance is Cable Mountain Lodge, the perfect place to stay in Springdale with elegantly appointed rooms and suites, and a full-service spa.
These Utah Towns Make Perfect Weekend Getaways
There is no shortage of places to go and things to do throughout Utah. Up north, Eden and Park City have some of North America’s finest ski resorts with expansive footprints and ample vertical drop. To the south, Moab and Torrey sit at the feet of some of the United States’ most beloved national park lands. And at Utah’s southernmost edge, Big Water is an alluring wonderland of quiet desert wilderness and world-class quiet luxury. Wherever one goes to escape for the weekend, it might be difficult to limit oneself to just one weekend in this amazing state.
