9 Picture-Perfect Towns In Utah
The landlocked US State of Utah, situated in the Western United States’s Mountain West subregion is celebrated for its unparalleled natural diversity. Boasting breathtaking snow-capped mountains, grand rock formations, arid deserts, sparkling lakes, and lush pine forests in mountain valleys, Utah is a paradise for nature lovers. Speckled all over the incredibly beautiful terrain of this 84,899 sq. mi state, are innumerable picture-perfect small towns that are often overlooked by international travelers visiting this part of the country. Each of these gorgeous towns in the Beehive State will surely provide every visitor with a treasure trove of lifetime experiences.
Park City
Park City, an idyllic mountain town spread across Utah’s Summit and Wasatch counties is located at the southern end of Snyderville Basin, about 32 miles southeast of downtown Salt Lake City. Bounded by the magnificent Wasatch Mountain Range, Park City is home to the Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, Woodward Park City Resort, Canyons Village at Park City, the Park City Museum, and the Eccles Center Theater. The town’s Main Street is lined by many locally-owned retail stores, bars, eateries, spas & health clubs, open-air concert venues, and several miles of hiking and biking trails. Besides ample recreation activities at the ski resorts and the adjacent Utah Olympic Park throughout the year, Park City also hosts several annual events including the Sundance Film Festival (the biggest independent film festival in the United States), Kimball Arts Festival, and the Fourth of July and Labor Day parades.
Moab
The administrative center of Grand County, Moab is placed on the western flanks of the La Sal Mountains immediately south of the Colorado River, and around 18 miles west of the state boundary with Colorado. Esteemed for its dramatic desert scenery and small-town hospitality, Moab appeals to tourists who want to see some impressive landscapes of the Western United States. A mecca for outdoor adventurers, travelers touring Moab must visit the adjacent Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, and a segment of the Manti-La Sal National Forest. In addition to being the southwestern terminus of the 142-mile-long Kokopelli Trail, both recreational and competitive mountain bikers are also attracted to Moab’s Slickrock Bike Trail and the Whole Enchilada (which includes the Porcupine Rim section). Throughout the year, Moab hosts many cultural events and festivals like the Moab Music Festival, Folk Festival, Skinny Tire Festival, LGBT Pride Festival, and the Moab Art Walk.
Torrey
Bordered by Boulder Mountain in the southwest and Capitol Reef National Park in the east, Torrey is located along the northern banks of the Fremont River on Utah State Route 24 in Wayne County. Originally established by Mormon settlers in the 1880s and named Youngtown after John Willard Young, the town was renamed after Jay L. Torrey, a commissioned colonel of the Rocky Mountain Riders. Encircled by green meadows and rose-colored cliffs, the town is an outstanding summer destination where vacationers can enjoy some spectacular sceneries and innumerable outdoor recreation opportunities. With a plethora of cafes, gift shops, hotels, bookstores, art galleries, RV campgrounds, and eateries, Torrey is the most convenient gateway for exploring the neighboring Capitol Reef National Park, Thousand Lake RV Park, Boulder Mountain, and Utah’s Scenic Byway 12.
Panguitch
Garfield County’s seat, Panguitch is situated at an elevation of 6,666 ft on the southern side of the high-yielding Panguitch valley in the state’s south-central portion. The name “Panguitch” is a Southern Paiute term that means “Big Fish” and refers to the abundant clean waterbodies nearby housing rainbow trout and offering excellent fishing activities year-round. First settled in March 1864, this erstwhile lumber and ranching community caters to vacationers with numerous unspoiled red brick buildings, local shops, fine art galleries, motels, and restaurants lining its downtown district. The town is also a crucial stopover point for travelers wishing to explore the famous natural wonders of Southern Utah such as the three National Parks: Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Zion; two national monuments: Grand Staircase-Escalante and Cedar Breaks; state parks like the Kodachrome Basin and Escalante Petrified Forest; and expansive national forests: Dixie and Fishlake. Panguitch also hosts various annual festivals like the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally, Quilt Walk Festival, and the Bryce ATV/UTV Rally.
Midway
Affectionately called, “The Little Switzerland of Utah,” this picturesque mountain town sits on the opposite side of the Wasatch Mountains in Heber Valley, roughly 3 miles west of Heber City and 28 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Named “Midway” due to its setting at the heart of an agricultural district, the town’s most well-known attraction is the adjacent Wasatch Mountain State Park which offers outdoor lovers an array of horseback riding, biking, and hiking trails. Travelers visiting the town can tour the Homestead Resort, Sundance Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, Heber Valley Artisan Cheese Dairy Farm, Midway Recreation Center, and the state’s biggest outdoor ice rink – the Midway Ice Rink. A large number of merrymakers visit Midway every year on the Friday and Saturday before Labor Day to take part in the annual “Swiss Days” festival.
Garden City
A famed summer resort destination, Garden City is situated along the turquoise blue waters of Bear Lake (dubbed the “Caribbean of the Rockies”) in the northwestern portion of Rich County. The town’s location at the end of the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway and on the shores of Bear Lake State Park allures vacationers from all over the globe. Every summer, thousands of tourists visit Garden City to witness the lake and its pristine sandy beaches. Throughout the year, Bear Lake State Park Marina offers a multitude of water-based recreations like boating, swimming, water trampolining, fishing, kayaking, etc. The Bear Lake Raspberry Days Festival, an annual 3-day event held in Heritage Park during the first weekend of August, celebrates the world-famous, sweet, and delicious Bear Lake raspberries with endless fun activities, an arts & crafts fair, and live music performances.
Huntsville
Founded by Jefferson Hunt in 1860, this charming alpine town forms a part of the Ogden-Clearfield Metropolitan Statistical Area in the luxuriant Ogden Valley in Utah’s Weber County. With magnificent mountain scenery and plenty of outdoor recreation, Huntsville is a perfect place to spend some relaxing time away from the noise of buzzing metropolises. Some of Huntsville’s noteworthy sites of interest include Huntsville Square with its popular local businesses, the world-class Snowbasin Resort, the Huntsville Astronomic & Lunar Observatory, Pineview Reservoir, the 2.9-mile-long Green Pond Trail, Mark B. Goodson Art Gallery, Cemetery Point Beach, Art Nord Trailhead, the 4.3-mile-long Sardine Peak Trail, Ogden Canyon Overlook Trail, and Shooting Star Saloon – the oldest continuously-operating bar to the west of the Mississippi River.
Mount Pleasant
Renowned for its vintage appeal, Mount Pleasant is an affluent high-valley town in Central Utah’s Sanpete County. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Mount Pleasant’s historic downtown district is packed with well-preserved 19th-century buildings aside from retail shops, art galleries, museums like the Wasatch Academy Museum and Fairview Museum of History & Art, and locally-owned eateries like Cavalier Pizza, and the Coffee Depot. The town hosts annual cultural events like the Fourth of July Celebration, Hub City Days, and Mt. Pleasant Pioneer Day with parades, carnival at the city park, rodeos featuring native cowboys, fireworks, and mouthwatering dishes.
Springdale
Initially established in 1862 as a Mormon farming community, Springdale is situated on the western end of the Colorado Plateau in Utah’s Washington County, just outside the borders of Zion National Park. This adorable town of about 629 inhabitants serves as an ideal base for travelers who want to discover the neighboring natural attractions. Downtown Springdale has numerous beautiful fine art & photography galleries, local stores, gift shops, cozy inns, theaters, cafes, and restaurants. In addition to being a gateway to everything the Zion National Park has to offer, Springdale also provides a variety of opportunities for tourists such as visiting the Grafton Ghost Town, boating down the Virgin River, and cycling the trails that crisscross the Gooseberry Mesa.
From tranquil alpine towns like Huntsville and Midway to towns like Moab and Springdale that act as gateways to the state’s stunning national parks, the small towns in the nation’s 13th-largest and 30th-most populous state are waiting to welcome travel enthusiasts from all over the globe. So, whether you are looking for adventures amidst natural surroundings or want to get a taste of the unique Utah culture, you must include these pretty towns in your itineraries on your next trip to this enchanting state.
