Cleveland
With a population just under 500, this family friendly town offers a rich heritage centered around homesteading, farming and family. Named after President Grover Cleveland, this town’s tagline is “14 miles from extinction,” referencing the nearby Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, now part of Jurassic National Monument. If you are lucky enough to be in the area when The Forbidden Fruit is open, pop in and grab some sweet treats - you won’t regret it.
As you make your way out to the Swell, Cleveland offers the last opportunity to gas up and grab the groceries you may need on your adventure. The locally run C-Store is the one and only spot for both in Cleveland, so don’t pass it by.
Pro-tip: if you are in the area around the end of July, all the locals will tell you that they put on the best fireworks show around as part of their Cleveland Days celebration. Grab a blanket or lawnchair and stake out your spot in Cleveland city park for what is sure to be a spectacular show.
Huntington
Located right along Highway 10, this small city is a great place to stop, grab a meal and supplies before heading up into the Manti-La-Sal or out into the Swell. While it was agriculture along Huntington Creek that brought the first settlers, coal mining up Huntington Canyon and further north was integral to the success of this small town.
The city has a State Park with campsites along a sprawling reservoir and a handful of small, locally owned restaurants that serve up the local favorites. Be sure to stop by the visitor center to grab maps, guides and more before heading out of town. If you want to get a feel for life in Emery County, mark Huntington’s Heritage Days on your calendar. This multi-day festival leading up to the 4th of July brings out the best of Emery County. From Rodeos to bike rides, this community festival is fun for participants of all ages.
Pro-Tips: Take a leisurely drive on the Energy Loop National Scenic Byway that passes right through Huntington, it is a great way to explore the rich history of the area and experience breathtaking views of the region.
Orangeville
Looking to get off the beaten path, a drive out to Orangeville is a great way to do it. This small community on the edge of the Manti-La-Sal forest is the last town on your way up to Joe’s Valley Reservoir. It is typical to see boulderers from near and far at local businesses stocking up on the necessities before heading out to challenge their grip strength on the impressive valley boulders. The Food Ranch grocery store has an impressive offering of donuts made daily, and if you manage to snag a few before they sell out, then you should probably head over to Cup of Joe’s coffee shop to grab a coffee drink to go with them.
Orangeville’s residents love the town’s slow pace, clear blue skies and are known to take advantage of the many recreational opportunities to keep active all year round.
Castle Dale
As the county seat, Castle Dale is a hub of activity on the western side of the County. Welcoming to one and all, this city offers a variety of experiences for residents and visitors. The Museum of the San Rafael presents the history, prehistory and cultural diversity of the region through a series of permanent exhibits.
The city also has an indoor/outdoor aquatic center featuring a lazy river that simply can’t be beat on a hot summer afternoon. Should you find yourself hungry there are a variety of small restaurants to choose from - always ask for a local recommendation to be sure you are getting the most out of the menu.
Castle Dale is also a great base camp for those looking to spend time either out in the Swell or high up in the Manti-La-Sal forest. In the last few years the city has welcomed some new unique lodging opportunities such as The Swell Retreat which offers traditional camping and as well as some fun glamping options.
Pro-tip: Once you know the dates you will be passing through, check the Blue Sage Arena’s events calendar in the hopes you can catch a Rodeo or other local event. This is a great way to experience life energized!
Ferron
Ferron is “A Peach of a Place” nestled between the Swell and the Manti-La-Sal Forest. This quiet town comes alive each year for its annual celebration, Peach Days, which dates back to 1901. The celebration is a tribute to the 2500 peach trees planted by John Lemon in the early 1900s that produced peaches with especially fine flavor. Peach Days is said to be the oldest continuous celebration in the state of Utah and is what gives the town its slogan.
Outside of Peach days, this is a quiet little town with a strong sense of community. As a stopping point for people heading to Millsite State Park, or heading up into the forest to recreate, this town sees a fair number of visitors at the local Drive Inn, the Grub Box, as it is the last chance for gas and grub on your way into the forest.
If you want to make Ferron your basecamp for exploring the county, a stay at Big Mountain Lodge is a great way of doing it. This family run business prides itself on making each of their visitors feel right at home.
Emery
The final small town as you head south on Highway 10 is the town of Emery. This town is small even for Emery County, with a population of just about 300, and the locals would tell you that feels just about right.
Emery is a town full of history and heritage, with the oldest public structure in Emery County, the Historic Emery Pioneer church, the rural way of life is going strong here. As they say around here, this is a place where the pace is different, the views are spectacular and the outdoor opportunities are endless.
Green River
The sole city in Emery County to the East of the Swell, Green River is different from the rest. With less than 1000 local residents, this city has remained true to its roots while welcoming tourists from near and far.
You can plan an adventure around anything Green River, history, biking, mining and more. With several national hotel chains as well as small locally owned lodging options it is a great destination for those looking to explore the many state and national parks nearby.
Visitors to Green River are sure to find the unexpected, whether that is the local melon stands that offer up a wide variety of locally grown melons or the Athena Missile on display in a downtown park commemorating the Cold War military missile testing laboratory hidden in the canyon lands outside of town. If these discoveries leave you wanting to know more, then the John Wesley Powell River History Museum, located along the banks of the Green River is a great place to spend an afternoon.