Utah has so many well-known attractions and destinations. From our five national parks to Temple Square, there are attractions that draw people from all over the world. But, the Beehive State is so much more than that. In fact, Utah is home to some incredible hidden gems that are just waiting to be discovered. To help you truly enjoy all that the Beehive State has to offer, check out the following hidden gems in Utah. There is one for every month of the year so you always have something extraordinary to discover.
January: Wasatch Parc, Nordic Valley
Wasatch Parc Snow Tubing/Facebook Rather than spend your winter cooped up indoors, head to Wasatch Parc, a unique snow tubing park in Utah. While many snow tubing parks in Utah feature parallel lanes, at Wasatch Parc, the lanes are zigzag. You’ll enjoy a heart-racing adventure as you soar down the mountains and around the curves —it’s the perfect way to spend a winter day. 3567 Nordic Valley Way, Eden, UT 84310, USA
February: Hines Mansion, Provo
Management/TripAdvisor For a romantic getaway in Utah, book a stay at the Hines Mansion in Provo. This hidden gem was built in 1895 and is charming in every way. Here, you’ll enjoy an intimate atmosphere and modern comforts in a historic space. 383 W 100 S, Provo, UT 84601, USA
March: Land Cruiser Heritage Museum, Salt Lake City
Brian Princer/Google The Land Cruiser Heritage Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum and a true hidden gem in Salt Lake City. This museum is home to nearly 100 models of Land Cruisers with some automobiles dating back to the 1950s. You’ll also see all types of unique artwork, tools, owner’s manuals, and other memorabilia. This is a lesser-known museum in Utah the entire family will enjoy and even better, admission is free! 476 W 600 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, USA
April: Red Reef Trail, Near St. George
Tim McMahan/Google For the perfect day spent outdoors, tackle the Red Reef Trail at the Red Cliffs Campground near St. George. This out-and-back hiking trail will take you through an incredible desert landscape and along a creek. You’ll eventually come to a small, yet beautiful waterfall with Moki steps where you can climb on top of the falls for even more adventure. Red Cliffs Recreation Area, 84737, Unnamed Road, Washington, UT 84780, USA
May: Hell’s Backbone, Boulder
The Scenic Suitcase/Trip Advisor Hell’s Backbone Grill is located in the tiny town of Boulder in southern Utah. Much of the food served at this restaurant is grown from the restaurant’s own farm and other local sources. Here, you’ll find plates of food that are delicious, healthy, and packed with flavor. It’s a hidden gem that your taste buds will thank you for discovering. 20 UT-12, Boulder, UT 84716, USA
June: Ogden Nature Center, Ogden
Ogden Nature Center/Facebook You would never guess this incredible hidden gem is located right off I-15 in Ogden. The Ogden Nature Center is a 152-acre preserve that features various walking trails, animals of all kinds, and a visitor center. There are also ponds, observation towers, and a natural playground to enjoy. This is a great way to immerse yourself in nature without leaving the city. Ogden Nature Center, 966 W 12th St, Ogden, UT 84404, USA
July: Cassidy Arch, Capitol Reef National Park
julie arkells/AllTrails While there are hundreds of documented natural arches in Utah, one that we highly recommend visiting is Cassidy Arch in Capitol Reef National Park. There is a 3.5-mile round-trip hike to view this breathtaking arch but the final destination is a major payoff for your effort. Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey, UT 84775, USA
August: Posey Lake
Ryan Larson/Google Posey Lake is just a short drive from the small town of Escalante and is one of the least touristy places in southern Utah. This small lake sits approximately 8,800 feet in elevation, is home to a beautiful campground, and features a hiking trail with some of the best views around. Posey Lake Road, Posey Lake Rd, Escalante, UT 84726, USA
September: Willis Creek Narrows, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Kelly Corrigan/Google The Willis Creek Narrows is one of the best slot canyons in Utah — also one of the lesser-known slot canyons in Utah. The hike is fairly easy and you don’t need any technical skills to safely traverse through the canyon. The canyon walls eventually grow up to 100 feet tall and the smooth, curved rocks are quite mesmerizing. Willis Creek, Utah, USA
October: Alpine Scenic Byway
Dan Pearce/Flickr The Alpine Scenic Loop starts at the mouth of American Fork Canyon and takes you to the end of Provo Canyon. This beautiful drive in Utah is a must-do during the autumn when fall foliage is at its peak — the views are going to leave you inspired. Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Utah, USA
November: Veyo Pies, Veyo
Veyo Pies/Facebook In a humble and unassuming bakery in the small town of Veyo, you will find Veyo Pies. This incredible pie shop is home to some of the best pies in Utah. With an extensive selection of flavors, you’ll have a hard time choosing which pie you wish to try. But, no matter what you choose, you’ll quickly learn what a perfect pie is supposed to be like. 24 S Main St, Veyo, UT 84782, USA
December: Helper
Helper, Utah’s Christmas Town/Facebook Welcome the holiday season at Helper in Carbon County. This is a true hidden gem during the month of December when the small town transforms into the ultimate Christmas town. During this time of year, Main Street is adorned with twinkling lights, businesses decorate to the nines, residents gather for the Christmas parade, and there are activities every weekend for the entire family leading up to Christmas. Helper, UT 84526, USA
What are some of your favorite hidden gems in Utah? Any that you would add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
Wasatch Parc Snow Tubing/Facebook
Rather than spend your winter cooped up indoors, head to Wasatch Parc, a unique snow tubing park in Utah. While many snow tubing parks in Utah feature parallel lanes, at Wasatch Parc, the lanes are zigzag. You’ll enjoy a heart-racing adventure as you soar down the mountains and around the curves —it’s the perfect way to spend a winter day.
3567 Nordic Valley Way, Eden, UT 84310, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
For a romantic getaway in Utah, book a stay at the Hines Mansion in Provo. This hidden gem was built in 1895 and is charming in every way. Here, you’ll enjoy an intimate atmosphere and modern comforts in a historic space.
383 W 100 S, Provo, UT 84601, USA
Brian Princer/Google
The Land Cruiser Heritage Museum is a one-of-a-kind museum and a true hidden gem in Salt Lake City. This museum is home to nearly 100 models of Land Cruisers with some automobiles dating back to the 1950s. You’ll also see all types of unique artwork, tools, owner’s manuals, and other memorabilia. This is a lesser-known museum in Utah the entire family will enjoy and even better, admission is free!
476 W 600 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, USA
Tim McMahan/Google
For the perfect day spent outdoors, tackle the Red Reef Trail at the Red Cliffs Campground near St. George. This out-and-back hiking trail will take you through an incredible desert landscape and along a creek. You’ll eventually come to a small, yet beautiful waterfall with Moki steps where you can climb on top of the falls for even more adventure.
Red Cliffs Recreation Area, 84737, Unnamed Road, Washington, UT 84780, USA
The Scenic Suitcase/Trip Advisor
Hell’s Backbone Grill is located in the tiny town of Boulder in southern Utah. Much of the food served at this restaurant is grown from the restaurant’s own farm and other local sources. Here, you’ll find plates of food that are delicious, healthy, and packed with flavor. It’s a hidden gem that your taste buds will thank you for discovering.
20 UT-12, Boulder, UT 84716, USA
Ogden Nature Center/Facebook
You would never guess this incredible hidden gem is located right off I-15 in Ogden. The Ogden Nature Center is a 152-acre preserve that features various walking trails, animals of all kinds, and a visitor center. There are also ponds, observation towers, and a natural playground to enjoy. This is a great way to immerse yourself in nature without leaving the city.
Ogden Nature Center, 966 W 12th St, Ogden, UT 84404, USA
julie arkells/AllTrails
While there are hundreds of documented natural arches in Utah, one that we highly recommend visiting is Cassidy Arch in Capitol Reef National Park. There is a 3.5-mile round-trip hike to view this breathtaking arch but the final destination is a major payoff for your effort.
Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey, UT 84775, USA
Ryan Larson/Google
Posey Lake is just a short drive from the small town of Escalante and is one of the least touristy places in southern Utah. This small lake sits approximately 8,800 feet in elevation, is home to a beautiful campground, and features a hiking trail with some of the best views around.
Posey Lake Road, Posey Lake Rd, Escalante, UT 84726, USA
Kelly Corrigan/Google
The Willis Creek Narrows is one of the best slot canyons in Utah — also one of the lesser-known slot canyons in Utah. The hike is fairly easy and you don’t need any technical skills to safely traverse through the canyon. The canyon walls eventually grow up to 100 feet tall and the smooth, curved rocks are quite mesmerizing.
Willis Creek, Utah, USA
Dan Pearce/Flickr
The Alpine Scenic Loop starts at the mouth of American Fork Canyon and takes you to the end of Provo Canyon. This beautiful drive in Utah is a must-do during the autumn when fall foliage is at its peak — the views are going to leave you inspired.
Alpine Loop Scenic Byway, Utah, USA
Veyo Pies/Facebook
In a humble and unassuming bakery in the small town of Veyo, you will find Veyo Pies. This incredible pie shop is home to some of the best pies in Utah. With an extensive selection of flavors, you’ll have a hard time choosing which pie you wish to try. But, no matter what you choose, you’ll quickly learn what a perfect pie is supposed to be like.
24 S Main St, Veyo, UT 84782, USA
Helper, Utah’s Christmas Town/Facebook
Welcome the holiday season at Helper in Carbon County. This is a true hidden gem during the month of December when the small town transforms into the ultimate Christmas town. During this time of year, Main Street is adorned with twinkling lights, businesses decorate to the nines, residents gather for the Christmas parade, and there are activities every weekend for the entire family leading up to Christmas.
Helper, UT 84526, USA
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