Often, when you think of the perfect Utah day trip destination, you think of places around the state like Park City, Moab, or St. George. But, there’s a small town approximately 45 minutes east of Salt Lake City that is often overlooked but makes for a delightful day. Kamas, Utah, offers great food, the most beautiful scenery, and a multitude of outdoor activities. It is truly the perfect Utah day trip destination.

Kamas is a ranching and farming community that sits at the foot of the Unita Mountains. Approximately 2,000 residents call this area home.
Kamas Community Connected/Facebook
This small town is known as the “Gateway to the Uintas,” and there are certainly a plethora of outdoor activities waiting for you.
Tom Kelly/Flickr
One of the best ways to experience the beauty of this area is to take a drive on the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway.
JR P/Flickr
On this drive, you’ll be immersed in beautiful forests and can capture some of the most stunning lake views. It is one of the best scenic byways in Utah.
Along this stretch of road, you’ll pass by multiple lakes including the stunning Mirror Lake. This is one of the most beautiful lakes in Utah and you can explore it on the Mirror Lake Trail.
phil Schnyder/AllTrails
This 2.9-mile loop trail will take you around the entire lake. This is an easy and kid-friendly hike with gorgeous lake views and forested areas.
While in Kamas, make sure you stop by Somak Smokehouse and Country Store. This store is located approximately two miles outside of Kamas and it’s well worth the short drive.
Meredith Reed/Google
This store sells a variety of snacks and treats including many local products like fresh jerky. On select days during the summer, you can even enjoy a Samak BBQ complete with hamburgers and French fries.
When you are hungry, stop by Mirror Lake Diner on Main Street in Kamas. Here, you can enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Rod Schiffman/Google
Randy Burgoyne/Google
This restaurant is open daily and is known for serving some of the best breakfast dishes on this side of the state. The menu features everything from steak and eggs to incredible omelets. Dinner is only served on select nights. You can learn more about this restaurant on its website.

Doesn’t this sound like the perfect day trip in Utah? Kamas truly is one small town in Utah you need to explore. Have you ever taken a day trip to Kamas? What did you do? We’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments!

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Kamas, UT 84036, USA