The state of Utah is home to cities like Salt Lake City, West Valley City, West Jordan, Provo, and St. George, each with a population of more than 100,000 people. 

While each of these larger cities pride themselves on various accolades, there is something to be said for the joy and fulfillment that comes with small town living. Some of the smallest towns in Utah have a population of less than 300 people, and some of these tiny towns may  just offer the largest adventures.

Scofield

Population: 26

Located two hours southeast of Salt Lake City, Scofield is currently home to approximately 26 people. Scofield has many recreation opportunities no matter the season. Summer offers camping, fishing, and boating at Scofield State Park, while winter activities include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and ice fishing. 

KJ’s Catch and Snack is a favorite among the locals, and offers freshly-made hamburgers, sandwiches, and ice cream. They also sell fishing supplies and camping equipment for visitors who may be in need of any last-minute items they may have left at home. 

“KJ’s is a gas station, convenience store, general store, and campground,” said KJ’s owner Jerry Lynch. “We try to have a little bit of almost everything for people’s needs when they come here.”

KJ’s also serves some of the best burgers in town, which customers get to flame-broil themselves.

“We have a flame-broiler burger machine for you to cook your own fresh burger,” said Lynch. “You put it on the little conveyor chain and it cooks the patty. You toast the buns, and we have all the condiments for you. It’s the best burger in town!”

Lynch and his wife Kathy have owned KJ’s for more than four years and, as Scofield residents themselves, love to help tourists and visitors discover new adventures the area has to offer.

“I’m a mountain-man-type guy because of the lake and the access to national forests and the beautiful area that surrounds us,” said Lynch. “It’s a fun place to come, lots of camping, and we’re full of information here at the store. Come on in; we’d love to help you.”

The store is conveniently located near the Scofield Reservoir and is a must-see when visiting the area.

“If you get to Scofield Reservoir, continue south to the town of Scofield and find us here,” said Lynch. “We’re right on the corner. We have a lot to offer, we enjoy people and love to help each other out. There’s a lot more to offer here than meets the eye.”

Fairview

Population: 1,203

The town of Fairview, Utah is located about 30 minutes outside Scofield, but offers more amenities and events than its surrounding smaller towns. Fairview is home to about 1,200 people and attracts visitors who love to camp, swim, and enjoy the great outdoors.

Each year, Fairview hosts a Pioneer Day celebration, complete with a kids rodeo, a fun run, parade, games, vendors, and a demolition derby. 

The Basin Drive-In Theatre is also a popular attraction in Fairview, featuring the latest films to hit the big screen. Drive-In movie theaters are hard to come by in recent years, so a stop at the Basin Drive-In is a must while visiting this Utah town.

Torrey

Population: 231

The town of Torrey sits just outside Capitol Reef National Park, but this small town offers many other adventures as well. 

Torrey is home to the Wayne County Farmers Market each week. The Market takes place each Saturday from 4-6 pm and features local vendors selling produce, pottery, and various arts and crafts.

Sandcreek is another gem in the Torrey area that features tent sites, RV sites, and cabins for families of all sizes.

“Here at the motel we always recommend Sandcreek to our guests,” said Motel Torrey employee Bree Hazel. “We also recommend they check out AllTrails.com and some of those hikes in Wayne County. That website has a lot of information.”

According to Hazel, some of the best restaurants in the area include Capitol Burger, Wild Rabbit Cafe, Hunt and Gather, and Pioneer Kitchen. 

Hazel enjoys working in Torrey and the small town experience it provides.

“I think the best thing about this town is the friendly people,” she said. “It’s very family-oriented. You go to the Chuck Wagon and always run into someone that you know. It’s really cool.”

Eureka

Population: 657

Eureka is a small town in Juab County, just southwest of Utah Lake. It is packed with a rich mining history and a high school, along with an historic main street.

“I’ve lived here my whole life of 56 years and I just love how quiet it is here,” said Patricia Bigler, City Recorder. “It’s fun to see how the city has grown over the years, but maintained the small-town feel we all love.”

Bigler attended the town’s high school, Tintic, as a teenager and has seen the high school grow to be one of the main attractions in town.

“Tintic High School has a lot of people that go to all the sporting events,” said Bigler. “The school started out with just girls volleyball, and basketball and baseball for boys, but now they have wrestling, track and field, cross country, golf, girls basketball, and FFA. Students are coming from Vernon, Santaquin, and Goshen to attend our school.”

Eureka attracts many interested in mining, history, and outdoor adventures as well. 

“We have a mining museum that tells all about our history and our historic downtown has main street stores,” Bigler said. “People love to go hiking around the area, and a lot of people come here to do side-by-side riding. It’s a lot of fun.”

New Harmony 

Population: 256

New Harmony is a little piece of paradise for its just-over 200 residents as it sits near Zion National Park and Kolob Canyon in Southern Utah.

“I’ve lived in New Harmony for 29 years, and my favorite thing about it has always been the peace and quiet,” said Doneva Hecker, New Harmony town clerk. “I’m a 70-year-old and I think the best thing is to sit on my front porch and look at the Kolob Fingers,” a nearby rock formation.

The town of New Harmony has one church, one firehouse, and one post office, but doesn’t have any amenities, so Hecker advises that visitors stop at the Shell gas station off the freeway exit on their way in. 

“Bring your own food because we don’t have any amenities here,” said Hecker. “We just borrow from our neighbors.”

One of the highlights for New Harmony each year is the local Fourth of July celebration. 

“Every Fourth of July we have a breakfast, flag raising, fun run, parade, games, horseshoe contest, and lunch,” said Hecker. “And then everyone goes home to recover for a few days.”

While the celebration is hosted by New Harmony, the town encourages locals to have their families come celebrate as well, and the event usually sees a great turnout. 

Each October, New Harmony also participates in the Apple Fest — a valley-wide celebration put on by the fire district. 

“The Apple Fest happens each year after the apple harvest,” said Hecker. “We have lots of vendors who come sell their apples in one place and it’s an all-day thing.”

Hecker has worked as the Town Clerk for more than 15 years and enjoys the close-knit community found in New Harmony.

“Everyone wants to be the last one in because we don’t want it to get big,” said Hecker. “It’s a very friendly place. People are very kind to one another. We all know our neighbors and look out for each other. It’s a great place to live.”

Feature Image: Scofield’s Madsen Bay courtesy of Utah.com