Huntsville
Where it is: Huntsville is near State Highway 39 east of Ogden near the shores of Pineview Reservoir.
Why visit: Though small, Huntsville itself has some interesting places to visit. Add the surrounding areas, and it¹s a great year-round destination. The Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity monastery is an unusual stop. The church there - open every day but Sunday - houses a gift shop that features the monks' famous creamed honey. The Shooting Star Saloon, one of Utah¹s oldest and most classic bars, is famous for a cheeseburger that includes a grilled Polish sausage in the middle. Add to that access to Pineview Reservoir near Cemetery Point with some good beaches, and this is a good summer destination. There are boating, swimming, camping and fishing at Pineview, camping and fishing in the nearby North Fork Canyon and golf, mountain biking, disc golf and fine dining at ski resorts in the area.
Fun Fact: There is the head of a stuffed St. Bernard hanging on the wall at the Shooting Star Saloon, where the ceiling of the bar is almost covered with signed dollar bills.
Nearest July 24 celebration: The city of Ogden has one of Utah¹s largest Pioneer Day celebrations with a rodeo that runs Monday, Wednesday and Thursday this week, fireworks Thursday night, a chuckwagon lunch and a big parade downtown on Thursday.
Tropic
Where it is: On Highway 12 in Garfield County at the base of Bryce Canyon National Park.
Why visit: The big draw is Bryce Canyon National Park, whose main entrance is about 16 miles away. Bryce's rock formations are different than other national parks', often resembling fluorescent sand castles. Hiking, horseback riding and touring the national park can be enjoyable. Nearby Ruby's Inn also offers a summer rodeo several nights a week, ATV rides, restaurants and shopping, as well as groomed cross-country ski trails in the winter. There is an excellent paved bike trail in nearby Red Canyon on the Dixie National Forest, with fishing at Tropic Reservoir. Kodachrome Basin State Park and the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument can be found nearby. The town itself offers a grocery store, some small motels, a few nice restaurants and some bed-and-breakfasts, making it a good place to stay while exploring the surrounding area.
Fun fact: According to the book "Utah Place Names," Tropic got its name because pioneers who settled it from nearby Panguitch thought it had a milder climate, a fact that might surprise winter visitors to the often-frosty town.
Nearest July 24 celebration: Panguitch hosts an invitational high-school rodeo from Wednesday through Saturday, as well as a Pioneer Day celebraton that includes a parade, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers program, fireman's dinner, games and races.
Marysvale
Where it is: On the eastern side of the Tushar Mountains along U.S. 89 south of Richfield.
Why visit: The big outdoor draw in this town is the nearby Paiute ATV trail with the private campgrounds, bed and breakfasts and small motels offering ATV rentals. Two companies offer whitewater rafting trips on the nearby Sevier River. Nearby Bullion Canyon offers a self-guided driving tour interpreting the old mining equipment seen in the canyon as well as wildlife viewing and a hike to falls. There is fishing at nearby Piute and Otter Creek Reservoirs as well as a nice city park. The area also offers some interesting art and antique stores.
Fun fact: Moore's Old Pine Inn, a bed-and-breakfast in the heart of town, is believed to be the oldest operating hotel in Utah. Zane Grey is said to have written parts of "Riders of the Purple Sage" while staying at the lodge, whose owners say friendly spirits sometime visit guests.
Nearest July 24 celebration: Marysvale's July 24 celebration includes fireworks on Wednesday night, a breakfast, "The Biggest Little Rodeo in the World," a parade, a small carnival and booths at the city park, and a "Fish Rodeo" where kids try to catch fish by hand in the flooded outdoor dance hall.
Mt. Pleasant
Where it is: In Sanpete County at the junction of U.S. 89 and state road 116 in central Utah.
Why visit: Because it is a few miles away from the interstate, Mt. Pleasant retains its small-town feel. Many of the businesses are in historic buildings marked by plaques. The small town actually boasts two high schools, the public North Sanpete High and the Wasatch Academy, a private boarding school. Shopping can be interesting here, especially at the Peel Furniture Works, which produces replicas of Mormon pine furniture, and at Native Wines, a winery in a historic building that uses native fruits. The tiny Basin Drive-In theater offers one of Utah's best cheeseburgers at its snack bar. Try the famous Bishop's Malt - an ice cream concoction mixed with pineapple, strawberry, banana and chopped nuts - at the Dairy Freez. Spring City is a short drive away. In the summer, four-wheel-drive enthusiasts enjoy driving the Skyline Drive in the Manti-LaSal National Forest. There are nearby fishing and camping opportunities as well. The Pioneer Historical Preservation Association Museum, Relic Home and historic Blacksmith Shop are also worth checking out.
Fun fact: According to the book "Utah Place Names," Mt. Pleasant was actually settled twice, the first time in 1852 before it was vacated because of Indian troubles in 1855, and again in 1859. Originally called Hambleton's Settlement after one of the original pioneers, it was renamed because of the pleasant views of the nearby mountains.
Nearest July 24 celebration: Historic Spring City offers a free street dance on Wednesday and, on Thursday, a pioneer breakfast, pie- and bread-baking contest, parade, barbecue turkey lunch and entertainment, horseshoe tournament, children's games, cowboy poetry and entertainment at night at the city park.
Garden City
Where it is: Near the Utah-Idaho state line on U.S. 89 north of Logan on the shores of Bear Lake.
Why visit: The big draw here is Bear Lake, a popular summer boating and beach destination. Thousands enjoy its beautiful turquoise blue waters for recreation each summer day. Rendezvous Beach State Park is a popular camping area on the shores of the lake. The Pickleville Playhouse, which is featuring "Chuck Wagon's Wild West Showdown" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie" this summer, features traditional Western dinners and fun live theater. The Bear Lake Golf Club is a beautiful scenic layout that offers great views of Bear Lake below.The area is also known for its raspberry shakes and malts with Raspberry Days scheduled Aug. 7, 8 and 9 this year. Nearby Logan Canyon offers hiking, high mountain lakes and fly fishing. Touring the nearby Minnetonka Cave in Idaho is also interesting.
Fun fact: Bear Lake is the reputed home of a 90-foot-long snakelike monster.
Nearest July 24 celebration: Logan features a huge Pioneer Day event with a Lions Club pancake breakfast, a fun run, food and craft booths, a mountain-man encampment, volleyball tournament, youth rodeo, three-on-three basketball tournament, horseshoe tournament, skateboard competition, youth rodeo, soccer, parade, wagon rides, a playland and fireworks, with most of the fun happening around Willow Park.
