9 Quirkiest Utah Towns You Didn't Know Existed

The red rock formations, deep canyons, and scenic vistas of national parks, such as Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, may come to mind when considering Utah. But beyond its stunning landscapes, Utah is home to many under-the-radar towns that travelers should become acquainted with. Retreat to Kanab to see where famous movies were made, go on a stargazing journey in Helper, visit a hot spring in Fairview, relive the mining era in Eureka, dine as the Germans do in Spring City, glimpse at petroglyphs in Monticello, attend a tomato festival in Parowan, admire bold art along the streets of Springdale, and come face to face with dinosaurs in Moab. Read on to learn more about these nine quirky towns filled with unexpected adventures, colorful histories, and strange attractions at every corner.

Kanab

While California may have Hollywood, Utah has its own version in the charming town of Kanab. The small town has served as a prime filming location for many TV shows and movies, including "Deadwood Coach," "Gunsmoke," "The Lone Ranger," "Death Valley Days," "Planet of the Apes," and "Transformers: Age of Extinction." A visit to the Little Hollywood Museum promises a quirky, non-traditional experience, unveiling the town's cinematic history.

Another unique attraction in Kanab is the Moqui Cave, a natural history museum nestled inside a sandstone cave. While there, marvel at Native American artifacts, dinosaur tracks, fluorescent minerals, rocks, and fossils. Take a tour at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, then enjoy the serene beauty of Angels Rest and the Gratitude Garden. Kanab also hosts various unique events, such as the Balloons and Tunes Roundup, a vibrant celebration featuring hot-air balloons and a Battle of the Bands competition.

Helper

Helper, a town steeped in rich mining and railroad history, offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle. A visit to the Helper Museum is a journey through time, with exhibits ranging from historic underground mines dating back to the 1880s to intricate model train displays. Beyond that, Helper is a designated International Dark Sky Community, making it an ideal spot for stargazing. The Wasatch Plateau, with its high elevation, lack of light pollution, and clear skies, is perfect for a starry night in Helper.

While exploring the town, grab a cappuccino or iced coffee from the charming Happiness Within Coffee Shop for a joyful experience. Nearby, the cozy, artistic Balanced Rock Eatery and Pub, which has gotten its name from a rock formation in Arches National Park, is an incredible place to dine.

Fairview

Fairview is home to the Fairview Museum of History and Art, one of Utah's largest and most notable museums. Its displays range from a life-size replica of a Columbian mammoth to intricate wildlife sculptures. A few blocks from the museum is Peterson Dance Hall, a renovated event space dating back to the 1930s. Today, it's still open for business and hosts various functions throughout the year.

For local shopping, the Antler Mountain Company specializes in custom-made antler lighting fixtures, furniture, and decor, adding an eccentric touch to anyone's home. Near Fairview lies the Fifth Water Waterfalls and Hot Spring, where visitors can not only admire scenic waterfalls and soak in natural pools but also embark on an adventure of mountain biking, hiking, and off-road riding.

Eureka

Eureka's history as a mining boomtown lives on today through the Tintic Mining Museum. From ancient tools to mining relics, the museum allows visitors to dive into the city's past and see what it was like during the silver rush. Another Eureka discovery is the Tintic Train Tunnel, often referred to as the Elberta Slant Railroad Tunnel. The tunnel, which extends more than 200 feet, was formed to make way for the Tintic Range Railway near Elberta, a few miles away. This mining train transported rich silver from the local mines, while many others were devoted to coal.

Besides the museum and the tunnel, the town celebrates its mining history by hosting the Tintic Silver Festival every year in August. Those visiting for a few days will want to stay at the Tintic Gold Miner's Inn Bed & Breakfast. Before becoming an inn, it was one of five Fitch mansions built around the 1920s. Not only does it offer spacious rooms, but it also has a common area that has a book collection, a TV, and a video library to browse through.

Spring City

Spring City, a town listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has many landmarks dating back to the late 1800s, including the Charles Crawforth Farmhouse, the Niels H. Borresen House, and the Old Rock Jail. Beyond its rich history, Spring City offers a unique cultural dining experience. For example, Das Café, which means "The Cafe" in German, has everything from German sausage with eggs and potatoes to bratwurst and sauerkraut, as well as American specialties, on the menu.

After grabbing a bite to eat, head to Horseshoe Mountain Pottery to browse the selection of handmade stoneware items for the home. Spring City hosts many interesting events, including Heritage Day, typically around Memorial Day weekend. The community event features art auctions, craft fairs, live music, and historical tours to celebrate the town's storied history and heritage.

Monticello

Monticello, located along the eastern slope of the Abajo Mountains, offers a unique alpine escape that can best be explored by driving along the Abajo Loop Scenic Backway. Visitors wouldn't want to miss Newspaper Rock, a historic state monument with a rock panel carved with one of the largest known collections of petroglyphs.

Beyond its scenic beauty and natural landmarks, Monticello's Frontier Museum, located in the heart of downtown, takes visitors back in time with pioneer displays and exhibits. For an out-of-this-world shopping experience in Monticello, a trip to the Jackalope Trading Company is a must. The novelty gift shop's tagline, "Where Local Art Meets the Wild West," features everything from jackalope-themed apparel and mugs to artwork and Native American jewelry.

Parowan

Like Monticello, Parowan also has an extensive collection of petroglyphs, especially in the Parowan Gap region. The petroglyphs seen there include a variety of designs, images of animals, and human figures, with some dating back thousands of years. In addition to the ancient rock carvings, dinosaur tracks embedded in sandstone are spotted nearby. Other quirky sites in Parowan include a historic church modeled after the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Today, it's known as the Old Rock Church Museum, which features artifacts and displays highlighting Parowan and its pioneers.

The small town also has hidden gems like the Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard. From May through September, Saturday mornings are spent enjoying a hearty breakfast at the farm, with everything from French toast to lemon ricotta pancakes on the menu. Special events like the Tomato Fest in August and the Cider & Harvest Day in October also take place there.

Springdale

While Springdale is a getaway to Zion National Park, that's not the only thing to love about the small town. Explore the Springdale Mural Tour in the heart of downtown for quirky things to do. It consists of more than 20 murals that are bold, colorful, and full of life, showcasing the town's vibrant arts scene. For further discoveries, the Worthington Gallery, housed in a historic pioneer home, features artwork from more than 40 artists. From floral glasswork to pastel paintings to wind sculptures, the gallery is a must-see while traveling through Springdale.

Additionally, every year in April, Springdale hosts the Zion Chalk & Earth Fest, a two-day event at Zion Canyon Village that features incredible chalk art, live music, food, vendors, and entertainment. Take a short drive from Springdale to Grafton, a ghost town where the classic movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" was filmed.

Moab

Moab, one of the most adventurous areas in Utah, is perfect for those who are all about the outdoors. It's home to the Dead Horse Point State Park, which many say is even more captivating and intriguing than the Grand Canyon. The state park has easy-to-moderate mountain biking trails with strange names like Great Pyramid, Big Chief, and Whiptail. As far as hiking, the Dead Horse Point Overlook Trail is one of the best, as it has breathtaking views of the area's canyons and the Colorado River. Stargazing is another activity, as the state park is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park. Book a river rafting, sunset safari, hot air balloon, or canyoneering tour through Moab Adventure Center for more exploration.

A visit to Moab isn't complete without a stop at Moab Giants, where dinosaurs are the main attraction. While there, walk along dinosaur trails, discover digging sites, or take an interest in what a paleontologist does. There are also several interactive exhibits and displays worth checking out. After exploring everything it offers, eat, drink, and shop at the dino-themed restaurant and gift store.

Discover Utah's Most Quirky Towns

While visiting national parks might be at the top of your itinerary in Utah, don't miss the chance to have fun in these lesser-known communities. Whether you want to step foot on iconic film sets and explore Kanab's past and present cinematic history at the Little Hollywood Museum, enjoy a night upon the Wasatch Plateau gazing up at the twinkling stars in Helper, shop for all things jackalope-themed in Monticello, or go back in time to the prehistoric era in Moab, these offbeat towns deliver a quirky experience unlike anything you'll ever see in Utah.