Take This Unforgettable Road Trip To 5 Of Utah’s Least-Visited State Parks
By Courtnie Erickson|Published April 15, 2022
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Utah is home to 43 state parks and some of these parks attract thousands and thousands of visitors every single year. However, there are a handful of lesser-known state parks in Utah that still offer something incredible, but you can enjoy them without the crowds. We mapped out this road trip to just five of Utah’s least-visited state parks. Enjoy natural beauty, adventures, and history without the crowds on this incredible journey!
While this road trip takes you to just five of the least-visited state parks in Utah, there are many others that you could add. In fact, you’ll drive near several state parks on this particular trip. Use this customizable map to add more stops along the way if you desire.
Our road trip begins at Camp Floyd State Park. This is by far one of the least-visited state parks in Utah. However, it is also one of the most fascinating. From 1858 to 1861, Camp Floyd was an Army outpost, housing the largest troop in the United States. These troops were sent to the area to monitor the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after rumors were spread that they were rebelling.
When you want to spend a quiet day by the water, Millsite State Park is the place to go. This reservoir is 435 acres and features blue, beautiful water. Not only is this a great place to catch a fish and enjoy a little peace and quiet, but the Millsite Spring Campground is an excellent place to spend the night on our road trip.
If you love history or you just want to learn a little more about this beautiful state that we call home, the Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum is a must-visit destination on our road trip. This is the oldest existing government building in the Beehive State and was built in anticipation of becoming the state capitol building. Today, you can visit the museum, step into the auditorium, browse the All-American Rose Society Garden, and spend some time in the outside picnic areas. Make sure to give yourself plenty of time to visit the 1867 stone schoolhouse and the pioneer cabins on the grounds as well.
When you want to get away — like really get away — Piute State Park is the ultimate destination. This primitive state park is definitely quiet, as it sees only a handful of visitors when compared to other state parks in the state. Make sure to bring your fishing pole as Piute Reservoir is an excellent place to catch various types of trout.
The final stop on our road trip is at the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum in Cedar City. In fact, if you’ve driven down Main Street in Cedar City, you’ve likely passed by this state park without even realizing it. This interesting attraction tells you all about the history of Cedar City, southwest Utah, and the pioneers. You can walk through historic buildings, check out a horse-drawn wagon collection, and more. If you plan your road trip just right, you may even attend one of the many events that take place at this state park throughout the year.
What do you think of this road trip? Have you already visited any of these state parks in Utah? Are there additional state parks you would add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
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