This Rural Road Trip Will Lead You To Some Of The Best Countryside Hidden Gems In Utah
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
Is there anything better than a road trip? Here at OnlyInYourState, we love a good road trip, especially those that take you to some of the best hidden gems that the area has to offer. Well, today, our adventure is going to take you away from I-15 and to some of our favorite rural areas in central Utah. From hot springs to small towns with tons of historic buildings, this rural road trip through Utah is one that you’ll definitely want to take. Buckle up and let’s go!
This road trip will take you approximately 200 miles and requires just over four hours of drive time. While there are many countryside hidden gems that we will pass on this trip, we just don’t have time for them all. So, feel free to customize your trip and add your own stops using this interactive map.
Fifth Water Hot Springs Trail Start, Diamond Fork Rd, Springville, UT 84663, USA
Our road trip begins just up Diamond Fork Canyon near Spanish Fork. Here, you will find the Three Forks Trailhead, which takes you to the Fifth Water Hot Springs, some of the best hot springs in Utah. You’ll want to lace up your hiking boots for this trail as you will have a two-mile one-way trek to tackle. However, once you reach the hot springs, you’ll get to enjoy a beautiful waterfall cascading into the pool of water. It’s not only beautiful here but oh, so relaxing!
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Thistle, UT 84629, USA
Thistle is one of the most interesting ghost towns in Utah. At one time, more than 650 residents lived in this area as the town was an important stop along the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. However, once trains no longer stopped in Thistle, the town slowly dwindled away, but many residents remained. However, in 1983, a massive flood completely wiped out the small town, and today, it is considered one of the creepiest abandoned towns in Utah. During your visit, drive around town and look at the few structures left. It’s quite fascinating.
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Scofield State Park, Scofield State Pk, Utah 84526, USA
Scofield State Park is one of the lesser-known state parks in Utah. However, that doesn’t make it any less magnificent. This state park is nestled in the Manti-LaSal Mountains and is the perfect place for fishing, boating, and spending the day in nature. You can enjoy a picnic lunch next to this reservoir or stay for a few days at one of the campsites along the route — the choice is yours.
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Spring City, UT 84662, USA
The next stop on our road trip is Spring City. This is a super tiny town that was founded by Mormon pioneers in 1852. Today, more than 50 buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places and while many are private homes, you can still drive around town and check out their remarkable architecture. And, make sure you stop by Das Café before you leave. This small restaurant serves incredible German cuisine.
81 S Main St, Ephraim, UT 84627, USA
Roy’s Pizza is a hidden gem found in the small town of Ephraim. This charming family-owned pizza joint serves all types of delicious pizza, calzones, and pasta. However, we recommend you order the mozzarella bread sticks. These breadsticks are covered in tons of cheese and come with a side of Ranch dressing, marinara, Alfredo sauce, and BBQ sauce.
The Trembling Giant, Utah 84701, USA
The last stop on our road trip is certainly remarkable. Located in the Fishlake National Forest you will find Pando, one of the oldest living things in America. This looks like a giant grove of more than 40,000 trees but it is actually a single organism. In fact, this single organism is not only the oldest living thing in America but the heaviest as well. Unfortunately, Pando is showing signs of decline so when visiting, make sure to only stay in designated areas.
What did you think of this road trip? Are there any stops you would add? Let us and your fellow travelers know in the comments!
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