From the peaks of the Wasatch range in Cache Valley to the red rocks in St. George, Utah offers amazing places to explore, particularly when it comes to small towns. You will find beautiful places scattered throughout the state — from mountain towns to deserts and cities. No matter where you roam, you will find someplace full of charm that will delight you in every way. But, none are as charming as the small town of Panguitch.

Panguitch is the ideal weekend escape in Utah because it has it all – gorgeous views, recreational activities, lots of history, excellent food, and beautiful places to stay. With so much to offer, there's no doubt that it is the best small town in Utah for a getaway.

From the Hawaiian Island of Oahu to the coast of Massachusetts and everywhere in between, come along with OnlyInYourState as we introduce you to the best Small Town Getaways you can take this year. From nature lovers and foodies to history buffs and shopaholics, there’s something for everyone within these unforgettable, two-day itineraries curated by our local travel experts just for you.

Is Panguitch worth visiting?

Panguitch is a small town in southern Utah with pioneer and Wild West history. By spending just a few minutes in the downtown area, you’ll notice the unique architecture, friendly faces, locally owned businesses, and so much more.

Today, Panguitch is home to approximately 1,700 residents but it was not always such a delightful place to live.

In March of 1864, four families from the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints settled this town. This settlement lasted only a few years due to the infamous Black Hawk War, where nearly 150 battles, raids, and conflicts occurred between the pioneer settlers and the Native Americans. Panguitch was eventually abandoned in 1866, leaving behind so much work and its beautiful landscapes. Just five years later, in 1871, another group of settlers moved into the area creating a beautiful small town that, today, is thriving.

How To Get To Panguitch?

From Interstate 15, you will turn onto Highway 20, between Beaver and Paragonah, and then south on Highway 89. Panguitch is located approximately 25 miles northwest of Bryce Canyon National Park and 60 miles north of Zion National Park.

Getting Around Panguitch

While you can easily walk around downtown Panguitch, the best way to visit this small town in Utah is by car. Panguitch is the ultimate home base for some of the most beautiful, exciting, educational, and unforgettable adventures in southern Utah. Within a short drive, you can access museums, hiking trails, lakes, national parks, and so much more. There are no public transportation options in this town.

Best Time To Visit Panguitch

Summer is when Panguitch’s Quilt Walk Festival takes place. Each June, the town comes together to retell and honor one of Panguitch’s most famous pioneer stories.

When the pioneers first came to Panguitch in 1863, they came from Parowan and crossed the Bear Valley. Unfortunately, that year, the season was too short and the crops did not mature. The winter of 1864 to 1865 was cold and there was no food or supplies for the settlers. Seven men left Panguitch for Parowan to gather supplies to help them survive the winter. But, due to many complications and deep snow, they had to walk on foot. They struggled as they would sink into the snow with each step but after some time, the men discovered that they could make the journey by laying a quilt on the snow, walking on it, retrieving a quilt behind them, moving forward, and repeating this process. These actions saved Panguitch.

Today, the annual Quilt Walk Festival features a full schedule of family-friendly events like quilt shows, sewing classes, community breakfasts, and, of course, the popular Quilt Walk Dinner Theater. During the dinner and show, you can watch a performance of the courageous pioneer story and enjoy a dutch oven dinner.

One of Panguitch's largest annual events — which also takes place in the summer — is the Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally. During this weekend festival in June, the skies above Panguitch are filled with the bright colors of dozens of hot air balloons.

This is a must-visit event in Utah with activities in Panguitch to keep you busy the entire weekend. While the mass ascension of the balloons each morning is enough to take your breath away, there are countless other activities ranging from live music on Main Street to an evening Hot Air Balloon Glow.

Where To Stay In Panguitch

This charming place to stay features multiple rooms that are each beautifully decorated and offer their own set of amenities. During your stay, you will enjoy a private bathroom and small kitchen appliances such as a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker.

This bed and breakfast is located on Center Street, close to restaurants, shopping, and other Panguitch attractions. Room prices begin at $105 and if visiting during the off-season, breakfast is typically not offered and prices are reflected for that change.

Morning One: Panguitch Lake

Panguitch Lake is just a short drive outside of town and offers more than 1,200 acres of surface area to explore. While you can always drive around the lake, bring along a fishing pole and admire this area’s beauty by throwing in a line.

While you may wonder "what is Panguitch known for?" Panguitch is actually a Native American Paiute word meaning "Big Fish." Don't be surprised if you catch a massive trout during your fishing excursion as this lake is known as being home to some of the largest rainbow trout in the Beehive State.

If a morning spent fishing doesn’t sound like the perfect getaway, there is still plenty to do. Panguitch Lake is surrounded by forest and there are numerous trails for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding. ATV and boat rentals are also available at the lake, providing you with a full morning of entertainment and adventure.

Once you head back into town, grab a bite to eat at Henrie’s Drive-In. This may look like a hole-in-the-wall restaurant but the food is delicious and this is where many of the locals love to eat.

While this restaurant offers many items on the menu, try the Henrie’s famous chubby burger or a hot ham and cheese sandwich. Don’t forget the fries and a milkshake to create the perfect meal.

Afternoon One: Shopping, Movies, and Food

Before dinner, head to the historic Panguitch Gem Theater. While you can always catch a movie before you grab a bite to eat, you’ll want to stay and explore. This building is MUCH more than just your typical movie theater.

This historic building was built in 1909 and was recently renovated to create the incredible attraction it is today. While you can enjoy both modern and classic movies each night, head upstairs to the rock shop and dinosaur exhibit. Here, you will find all types of locally sourced rocks, a rock lamp collection, and even dinosaur skulls.

If you don’t want to venture too far for dinner, the historic Gem Theater in Panguitch is a great place to grab some Mexican food like tamales and street tacos. And, if you want something a little sweet, try some house-made ice cream, waffle cones, hand-dipped chocolates, and more.

If you aren’t in the mood for Mexican food, walk down the street just a short distance to Cowboy’s Smokehouse Cafe. With a western feel, this restaurant will make you feel like you've taken a step into the Wild West. Cowboy's Smokehouse is known for its meat, particularly its barbecue and steaks.

Whether you order a hamburger, steak, fish, or another tasty item on the menu, make sure you save some room for a piece of cobbler. Cowboy's Smokehouse was the first restaurant in the area to offer traditional pioneer cobbler and with a variety of options, you are bound to find a flavor that will make you want to order a second piece.

Morning Two: Hiking, Natural Arches, Scenic Drive

Red Canyon is located near Bryce Canyon National Park, and the unique scenery here is breathtaking. This area features red cliffs, hoodoos, and picnic areas for you to admire and enjoy. If you want to learn more about this area, including its geology and history, we suggest a visit to the Red Canyon Visitor Center.

You’ll want to bring your hiking shoes as the best way to explore Red Canyon is on a hiking trail. The Arches Trail is a short 0.6-mile loop trail that is short and sweet, but the payoff is big!

This trail takes you past hoodoos, red rocks, beautiful overlooks, and natural arches — all without the crowds typically found at nearby national parks. However, there are some steep areas so make sure you are prepared physically for a bit of a challenge.

If you are willing to spend a little more time in the car, take some time to drive on Utah’s Scenic Byway 12, one of the most famous scenic drives in the Beehive State.

This road actually begins outside of Panguitch and travels more than 122 miles. You will take this road through Red Canyon and if you continue, it will take you right to Bryce Canyon, the next stop on our trip.

But, before we head into Bryce Canyon National Park, we need to stop and have lunch. Ruby’s Inn sits right outside the gates of the national park and is your one-stop-shop for everything in the park — including restaurants. Located in the Main Lodge, you will find the Cowboy’s Buffet and Steak Room, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

This restaurant features family-style Western dining and you’ll find quite an assortment of items on the lunch menu such as burgers, sandwiches, steak, and fish.

Afternoon Two: Bryce Canyon and Pizza

A single afternoon in Bryce Canyon is typically not enough time to see all that this park has to offer but it still provides an opportunity to explore some of the most majestic sights. In fact, in just a few hours, you can drive along the park’s main road to many of the popular overlooks including Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point.

Don’t rush when at each overlook and really take your time to appreciate the majestic views surrounding you — there’s nowhere else like it! If you want to stretch your legs and have a little more time to spare, consider tackling the hike between Sunrise Point to Sunset Point. This is only one mile each way and it is a paved trail. Along the way, you’ll capture some of the most breathtaking views of the Bryce Amphitheater.

After a full day of exploring, it is time to head back into town. On your way, you’ll pass by C-Stop Pizza. This is another local restaurant that is filled with locals and tourists alike.

Whether you want pizza, sandwiches, or salads, you’ll find it at this pizza place. Just make sure you order some breadsticks — they are amazing.

There’s truly so much to love about the small town of Panguitch in southern Utah. So, tell us, what else do you need to know for the ultimate Panguitch travel guide? Are you planning a weekend escape to this small town in Utah or a day trip to Panguitch? Feel free to ask your questions and share your thoughts in the comments. If you want to spend a few more days at Bryce Canyon National Park, here are some recommendations for where to eat, sleep, and play near this bucket-list-worthy location.

Not Your Average Bucket List Podcast

Only In Your State’s podcast Not Your Average Bucket List takes a deep dive into Panguitch, Utah and everything it has to offer. Our hosts, Marisa Roman and Sara Heddleston, discuss what their "Perfect Day" in Panguitch would consist of. From wildlife hiking trails to sleeping in a cottage by the ocean, take a look at the infographic below to get your own suggestions for the perfect day exploring this small town.

To discover even more about Panguitch, Utah in a fun, easily-digestible manner, tune in to OnlyInYourState's brand new podcast, Not Your Average Bucket List, where we talk all about this charming town. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.