It’s time to hit the road and have some fun, Utahns! Today’s road trip will take you in a loop from Spanish Fork, along State Route 89, where you’ll visit several of Utah’s most under-appreciated small towns. Along the way, you’ll see a ghost town, a state park, a national forest, and a historic fort — many incredible hidden gems in Utah. Are you ready to take one of the best road trips in Utah? Hop in your car and let’s go!

 

This road trip covers 285 miles.
Google Maps
You'll want to plan an entire weekend for the trip, so choose somewhere to stay overnight along the way.

Click here to view the interactive map with directions.
Start in Spanish Fork, right off I-15, south of Provo.
Larry and Teddy Page/flickr
With approximately 40,000 people, Spanish Fork isn't a small town by any means, but it's a great jumping-off point for our road trip. Spanish Fork is a pretty little city, snuggled right up to the Wasatch Mountains.
While you're here, check out the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple.
Flickr/Chris Chabot
The temple is located at 311 West 8500 South. Each year, the temple is the location for the Color Festival. With live music, dancing, and even yoga, this is one event you'll want to place on your calendar. For more details, click here.
See one of Utah's most heartbreaking ghost towns.
lemonjenny/flickr
Thistle was flooded in April, 1983, after a huge landslide created a dam across the Spanish Fork River. Luckily, the small town was evacuated before anyone was hurt, but residents were unable to ever return. Today, several homes remain – submerged in stagnant water.
Fall in love with Fairview.
Ken Lund/flickr
Fairview has less than 2,000 residents, so it certainly feels like a small town. The Demolition Derby, held every year during the Pioneer Days festivities, is a really big deal here — you'll want to see this! It is one of the best hidden gems in Utah.
Get acquainted with Mount Pleasant.
Dave Merrill/flickr
Mount Pleasant's Main Street is full of 19th-century buildings. The rural farmland is so charming that you'll be considering the farmer's life by the time you leave. There's no doubt it should be included in the best road trips in Utah.
Explore Spring City.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/flickr
Spring City was settled in 1852 and is a rural, farming community and one of the best small towns in Utah. In recent years, the town has drawn several artists who live and work in the area. In 2010, Forbes Magazine named it one of the "Prettiest Towns in America."
Wander through Ephraim and visit Snow College.
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
Ephraim is the home of Snow College and also features many historic buildings and businesses.

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Explore the beautiful small town of Manti.
Ken Lund/flickr
Manti is a small town with tons of history. Explore this beautiful small town to see dozens of historic homes and businesses, along with the Manti Tabernacle and LDS Temple. It is one of the best small towns in Utah that you will not want to miss.
Stop at Palisades State Park for a round of golf, hike, or paddle on the lake.
Utah State Parks and Recreation/Facebook
This little state park is the perfect place to spend a few hours! Golf at the 18-hole, 72 par course, or go hiking or fishing.
Say hello to the little town of Gunnison.
Wikimedia
Gunnison has around 3,500 residents, and it's a quiet, quaint little town. This is certainly one of the most underrated towns in Utah.
Salina is a small town with about 2,600 people.
Ken Lund/flickr
You'll definitely want to grab a meal at Mom's Cafe while you're here. The food is delicious, and the little cafe is like taking a step back in time. Click here to learn more.
The charming town of Richfield has plenty to see and do.
Ken Lund/flickr
With around 8,000 residents, Richfield is a hub city for the surrounding towns. It's the place to go for shopping, movies, bowling, and outdoor recreation.
From Richfield, I-70 cuts through the Fishlake National Forest. Stop at the Fremont Indian State Park and Museum for a visit.
Kevin T./TripAdvisor
This park and museum are located on the site where the largest ever Fremont village was excavated. The park features pictographs and petroglyphs; the museum houses pottery, baskets arrowheads, and other artifacts. You can learn more about this state park and museum here.
Visit Cove Fort and step back in time.
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
This historic little fort was established in 1867. Constructed of volcanic rock and limestone, it's weathered the years and is still standing. You can tour the little fort and see the individual rooms inside, which are furnished with time-period appropriate antiques. Plan your visit to this fort here.
Make a quick stop at Utah's first capital city.
Ken Lund/flickr
Fillmore was once slated to be the capital city. Now it's a charming little town with around 2,500 residents. Visit the museum at the Fillmore Territorial Statehouse, located at 50 W. Capitol Avenue. Click here to learn more about the museum.
The rural little town of Nephi is the last stop before you return to Spanish Fork.
Don Graham/flickr
Around 6,000 people call Nephi home. It's definitely got that small-town feel, and is surrounded by some beautiful rural farms. You'll have a great view of Mount Nebo from town.

What do you think? Is this one of the best road trips in Utah? Are there any other underrated small towns in Utah that you would add to this trip? If you have any suggestions, put them in our comments sections for others to see.

Are you ready for more Utah road trip fun? Take a look at this article, which lists 13 of our road trips!

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More to Explore

Best Road Trips in Utah

Courtnie Erickson | July 12, 2021

What are some of the most underrated small towns in Utah?

Utah is home to some pretty incredible small towns. Many of the towns throughout the Beehive State are filled with gorgeous views, are close to many excellent attractions, and have something special that makes it difficult to leave. Parowan, for example, is a small town with plenty of charm that is located in Southern Utah. In this Iron County town, you can find a quaint main street that you must explore. Plus, you are near Brian Head Resort, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and more. It is the perfect location if you want to spend time outdoors.

Midway, near Heber City, is one of the many underrated small towns in Utah. This beautiful town has views that will take your breath away. It is known for hosting several events during the 2002 Winter Olympics and its hot pot.

What are some of the best small towns in Utah to visit?

This list of the best small towns in Utah to visit is long. Panguitch is a small town in southern Utah that you will not want to miss. Located near Bryce Canyon National Park and Panguitch Lake, this small town is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Make sure you visit in the summer during the annual Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally.

Tremonton, located near the Idaho-Utah border, is a hidden gem in Utah. This small town has a fun downtown area to explore with gorgeous murals and delicious food. For a historic experience, drive to Promontory Point, which is the site of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad.

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Featured Addresses
Spanish Fork, UT 84660, USA
Thistle, UT 84629, USA
Fairview, UT, USA
Mount Pleasant, Mt Pleasant, UT 84647, USA
Spring City, UT 84662, USA
Ephraim, UT 84627, USA
Manti, UT 84642, USA
Palisade State Park, 2200 E Palisade Rd, Sterling, UT 84665, USA
Gunnison, UT, USA
Salina, UT 84654, USA
Richfield, UT 84701, USA
Fishlake National Forest, Utah 84701, USA
Cove Fort, UT 84637, USA
Fillmore, UT 84631, USA
Nephi, UT 84648, USA