11 Best Small Towns in Utah With Epic Nature and National Park Access

These communities sit at nature's front door.

When it comes to landscapes, Utah is one of the most diverse states in the country. You can go from red rock arches and sandy deserts to wooded forests and towering mountains in a single day. The gateways to these landscapes are often small towns with a community of outdoor lovers who enjoy easy access to nature.

The following communities may be modest in size (they're all home to fewer than 10,000 people), but they pack a punch when it comes to location. Here are 11 of the best small towns in Utah.

Related: 24 Best Places to Visit in Utah — Including National Parks, Turquoise Lakes, and Giant Salt Flats

Moab

Moab is a shoo-in for the best small town in Utah title, with easy access to not one, but two of the state's most popular national parks. Arches National Park is approximately 10 minutes by car, while Canyonlands National Park is just over 30. The town itself is full of people who love to climb, hike, and 4x4 over the auburn-colored rocks the area is known for. You can embrace the spirit of the scenery by checking into one of the most exciting accommodations in Moab, Ulum, an expansive glamping resort that has a view of the Looking Glass Arch.

Midway

Beautiful and quaint, Midway has a location on the backside of the mighty Wasatch Mountain Range. No trip here is complete without a stop at the historic Homestead Resort, home to a geothermal mineral spring that's hidden within a 55-foot rock formation. People come from all over to swim, scuba dive, and paddle board in the crater's warm spring water. In downtown Midway, you can enjoy some shopping at local boutiques like Cactus & Pine and the forest-inspired perfumery Scents of Wood, then pick up a sweet treat from Judy's Donut Shop.

Eden

Less than 1,000 people call Eden home, which is part of what makes this town so peaceful. The picturesque community sits at the base of the mighty Powder Mountain ski resort, is known for its expansive terrain and heavy snowfall, and has endless hiking and biking trails. Make sure to try the Brim Trail during wildflower season, a 6.5-mile loop that's suitable for hikers and bikers. If you have a taste for locally-produced spirits, you can make an appointment to tour Eden's New World Distillery and learn about the production of one-of-a-kind products and if you like a good pun, go for the comfort food at Eats of Eden.

Garden City

With a nickname like the "Caribbean of the Rockies," it's easy to see why Bear Lake and the nearby town of Garden City have long been popular small-town destinations in Utah. With less than 1,000 residents, the town welcomes big crowds during the summer when everyone wants to spend the day out on the famously turquoise lake that straddles the border of Utah and Idaho.

Kanab

Approximately 5,000 people call Kanab home and it is one of the most popular destinations for visitors in Utah because it is within easy driving distance of three national parks. It's also surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs that films like "Planet of the Apes" and other Hollywood classics have used as a backdrop. After a day exploring the photogenic landscape, grab a table on the patio at Wild Thyme Cafe and enjoy a well-deserved plate of comfort food. If you consider yourself an animal lover, you can also take a free tour at the Best Friends Animal Society. It's the largest no-kill sanctuary in the country and is located on a sprawling property with a cafe, gift shop, and access to hiking trails.

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant is just as pleasant as its name implies. The small community has a beautiful historic main street composed of well-preserved 19th-century buildings. Starting from here, you can take a 40-minute drive out for some hiking around Salt Creek Canyon Falls, where there is a 2.6-mile out-and-back trail with a rushing waterfall reward at the end. If you're visiting Mount Pleasant in the spring or summer, you can park and catch a movie at the nostalgic Basin Drive-In Theatre.

Park City

Park City is about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, but it feels like another world. In the winter, skiers and snowboarders come to experience the biggest ski area in the U.S. — Park City Mountain Resort. Not to mention, you have another ski resort right next door in Deer Valley, where accommodation options include the reader-favorite and ultra-luxury hotel Goldener Hirsch. When you're not on the slopes, Park City's great restaurant scene and friendly vibe entice year-round and during the summer, people arrive ready to bike the stellar trails.

Springdale

The small town of Springdale is perfectly situated right outside the boundaries of Zion National Park. In addition to providing great access to the park, which is home to wildlife, waterfalls, and plenty of hiking and biking trails, the town boasts beautiful views of the Zion's sheer cliffs. You can fuel up for your days of adventures with Mexican food at the delicious Oscar's Cafe and if you need a place to rest your sore muscles afterward, book a treatment at The Cable Mountain Spa.

Huntsville

Huntsville is a small town of just around 700 people on the shore of the Pineview Reservoir. It's located in the beautiful Ogden Valley, which is home to three major ski areas —Powder Mountain, Nordic Valley, and Snowbasin — great camping, and trails that crisscross the area's ample mountains. In the warmer seasons, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards to better explore the reservoir or do some fishing for bass and catfish.

Torrey

Torrey is a small and welcoming community set just a 10-minute drive from the entrance of Capitol Reef National Park. Thanks to its location outside the park, it's a popular destination — especially in the summer. That being said, there's more to Torrey than being situtated on the edge of one of Utah's best and least crowded national parks. The tree-lined town is surrounded by red cliffs about a two-hour drive away from both Fishlake and Dixie National Forests. This town is also home to another highly-lauded hotel: The Capitol Reef Resort, beloved for its quirky glamping facilities that will provide you the rare opportunity to sleep in a covered wagon.

Panguitch

Panguitch may just be the epitome of a quintessential small town. The community is distinctly rural and holds tight to its Western heritage, with a main street that has been recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. However, most visitors find themselves here in between visits to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park. While you're in the area, you can explore the town's antique shops and stop for a bite at Cowboy's Smokehouse for a homestyle meal.

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