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

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. Home to outdoor lovers who enjoy easy access to nature, many of Utah's small towns act as gateways to the spectacular scenery.

The following communities may be modest in size (they all have populations under 10,000), but they pack a punch when it comes to location. Here are 11 of the best small towns in Utah.

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, where a geothermal mineral spring is hidden within a 55-foot rock formation. People come from all over to swim, scuba dive, and paddleboard 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 Donuts & Coffee.

Eden

Fewer than 1,000 people call Eden home, which is part of what makes this town so peaceful. The picturesque community at the base of the mighty Powder Mountain ski resort is known for its expansive terrain and heavy snowfall, but it also has a wealth of hiking and biking trails. Head to the Brim Trail, a 6.5-mile loop that's particularly stunning during wildflower season. If you have a taste for craft spirits, make an appointment to tour Eden's New World Distillery and learn how its organic agave tequila, vodka, and other liquors are made. Eats of Eden serves up comfort food like pizza, pasta, and burgers along with a good pun.

Garden City

With a nickname like the "Caribbean of the Rockies," it's easy to see why Bear Lake and adjacent Garden City have long been desirable destinations. With fewer than 1,000 residents, this small 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

One of the most popular destinations in Utah, Kanab is within easy driving distance of three national parks. The town has a population of about 5,000 and is surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs that have provided a backdrop for "Planet of the Apes" and other Hollywood classics. After a day exploring the photogenic landscape, grab a table on the patio at Wild Thyme Cafe, which offers an eclectic menu of comfort food and decadent desserts. For animal lovers, a free tour at the Best Friends Animal Society is a must — the largest no-kill sanctuary in the country, it's set in sprawling grounds with a cafe overlooking lower Angel Canyon, a gift shop, and access to hiking trails.

Mount Pleasant

The small community of Mount Pleasant lives up to its name, as you'll discover on a stroll along its beautiful main street lined with well-preserved 19th-century buildings. Starting from here, you can take a 40-minute drive for a hike around Salt Creek Canyon Falls, which offers a 2.6-mile out-and-back trail with a waterfall reward at the end. If you're visiting Mount Pleasant in the spring or summer, catch a movie at the nostalgic Basin Drive-In.

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 ultra-luxury Goldener Hirsch, a Travel + Leisure reader favorite. Park City's great restaurant scene and friendly vibe entice year-round, and stellar bike trails draw the cycling crowd in the summer.

Springdale

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

Huntsville

Roughly 700 people live in this town on the shore of the Pineview Reservoir. Huntsville is located in the beautiful Ogden Valley, which has three major ski areas — Powder Mountain, Nordic Valley, and Snowbasin — as well as great camping and trails that crisscross the area's ample mountains. In the warmer months, you can rent kayaks or paddleboards to explore the reservoir or fish for bass and catfish.

Torrey

Torrey is about a 10-minute drive from the entrance of Capitol Reef National Park, but there's more to this welcoming community than its proximity to one of Utah's best and least crowded national parks. The leafy town is surrounded by red cliffs and about a two-hour drive from both Fishlake and Dixie national forests. It's also home to the Capitol Reef Resort, beloved for its quirky glamping facilities that will give you the rare opportunity to sleep in a covered wagon.

Panguitch

Panguitch may just be the quintessential Utah small town. The distinctly rural community 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 parks. While you're in the area, be sure to explore the town's antique shops and stop for a bite at Cowboy's Smokehouse for a homestyle meal.