Utah is packed with jaw-dropping landscapes; towering red rock formations, deep canyons, desert dunes, and some of the darkest skies in the country. But with so much to see, from the Mighty 5 national parks to remote monuments and scenic byways, it can be tough to figure out where to stay.
If camping isn’t your thing (or you just want a hot shower and a good meal after a long day), these small towns in Utah make the perfect base camps. They offer easy access to major attractions, plus the comforts that make your trip smoother.
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Here are the best Utah base camp towns for exploring the state’s most iconic landscapes.
Moab: The Ultimate Adventure Base Camp in Utah
If you want a place that blends outdoor adventure with great food and amenities, Moab is hard to beat.
With dozens of restaurants, coffee shops, gear outfitters, and lodging options, from budget motels to upscale resorts, Moab is one of the most convenient and lively base camps in Utah.
Nearby Must-See Parks & Attractions
Arches National Park
Home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, dramatic rock fins, and balanced rocks. It’s also an International Dark Sky Park, making it one of the best places in the U.S. for stargazing.
Learn More: 18 Dark Sky Parks in the United States for Unforgettable Stargazing
Canyonlands National Park
A rugged landscape carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers, filled with canyons, mesas, and sweeping overlooks. Canyonlands is divided into four districts, with the most accessible being Island in the Sky. No roads join the districts together. Check the NPS website to help plan this trip.
Dead Horse Point State Park
One of the most photographed views in Utah. The park towers 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, where the overlook provides a breathtaking panorama of Canyonlands’ sculpted pinnacles and buttes.
Utahraptor State Park
A newer park featuring one of North America’s largest dinosaur bone beds.
While in Moab ride the rapids in the Colorado, take an off-road tour with an experienced guide at the Sand Flats Recreation Area and do an astronomy tour in Arches or Canyonlands which have some of the best dark skies in the country.
Pro Tip: Be sure to carry plenty of water with you. You’ll be in the desert where it’s very arid and dehydration can set in quickly.
Torrey: The Best Base Camp for Capitol Reef National Park
Small, quiet, and incredibly scenic, Torrey is the closest town to Capitol Reef National Park, just 15 minutes away. The downside is that hotels book quickly, so book early.
Torrey has a variety of accommodations within all budgets, so you can find something that works best for you. Despite its size, Torrey has everything you need: local restaurants, a grocery store, and a range of lodging options. And it’s a designated Dark Sky Community. Stop by the Torrey Trading Post for some unusual finds.
Pro Tip: If you plan on visiting a few National Parks, Forests, or Monuments consider getting the America the Beautiful Pass, it will save you some money.
Learn More: Unlocking America’s Best: The Ultimate Guide to the America the Beautiful Pass
Nearby Highlights
Capitol Reef National Park
You’ll find yourself in the heart of red rock country, where there is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges. The Fruita Historic District offers history and petroglyphs, Waterpocket district is more remote, but you can drive through it while Cathedral Valley needs high 4-wheel clearance to visit.
Goblin Valley State Park
This park is often referred to as “Mars-like” It is covered with sandstone goblins and formations that are surreal.
Pro Tip: Be sure to have a good camera with you to save your memories. You’ll want pictures of all the amazing colors and formations that you’ll find in Utah. If you need a new camera, we recommend the ProPix from Kodak. It takes great pictures and really good videos.
Bentonite Hills at Mars Desert Research Station
The striped rocks near the Mars Desert Research Station are beautiful. They are best viewed at sunrise and sunset to get the best colors.
Henry Mountains
The Henry Mountain Range is one of the few places in the country where a buffalo herd roams free and is also rich in geologic resources. The Henry Mountains is a well-known point of reference in southeast Utah, reaching almost 12,000 feet at the top of Mt. Ellen.
Pro Tip: Don’t get too close to the buffalo when trying to get a picture. They may be somewhat accustomed to people, but they are still wild. Best bet is to get binoculars with a camera. We like these digital binoculars because they have 8x zoom.
Read More: How to Safely View Wildlife in National and State Parks (And Still Get Amazing Photos)
Kanab: A Hidden Gem Base Camp Near Zion & Bryce Canyon
Located near the Arizona border, Kanab is one of the most underrated base camps in southern Utah. Kanab is the gateway to three national parks and much more. Surrounded by sandstone cliffs and sagebrush you’ll find this is a great place to lay your head.
Downtown has a walkable main street that runs past the Little Hollywood Museum, the Heritage House and the Kanab Visitor Center. Abandoned film sets near town have become tourist attractions. From fast food to sit down restaurants you’ll find something you love and there’s plenty of accommodation where you can unwind and get your sleep.
Nearby National Parks
Zion National Park
Utah’s first National Park. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into the sky. Experience the tall, stretching walls of a narrow slot canyon. Stay after sunset for amazing stargazing. Zion is rated as an International Dark Sky Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Situated along a high plateau at the top of the Grand Staircase, you’ll find the highest concentration of hoodoos (irregular columns of rock) here. It offers epic sunrise views and is perfect for star gazing. It also is an International Dark Sky Park.
Pro Tip: One of the things we love most when gazing at stars, is our portable telescope by Gskyer. You can also use it for pictures with the Iphone adapter.
More Things to Do Around Kanab
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Just 30 minutes east of Zion, this state park offers rolling sand dunes tinted with a soft, warm coral color, especially striking in morning or late-afternoon light. It’s an easy, peaceful place to wander for a few minutes or walk a short distance into the dunes for wide-open desert views. You can also rent sand sleds to ride the dunes.
Dixie National Forest
In just a short drive, you can visit this forest that covers 170 miles across southern Utah. Red Canyon, one of the most spectacular colored cliff canyons in southern Utah, is in the heart of the Dixie Forest. Visitors may also enjoy a hike in Pine Valley, see scenic Navajo Lake, fish at Panguitch Lake, and visit Tropic Reservoir.
Kodachrome Basin State Park
67 monolithic stone spires, accentuate multi-hued sandstone layers that reveal 180 million years of geologic time here. The color and beauty found here prompted a National Geographic Society expedition to name the area Kodachrome, after the popular color film, in 1948.
Peek-A-Boo Canyon
Peek-A-Boo Canyon is an easy, short hike (0.7 miles round trip) into one of the most beautiful slot canyons in the area. The stunning orange, sandstone walls make an amazing backdrop for photographs. In the canyon, you will find ancient Moqui Steps climbing the canyon wall as well as logs balanced between the canyon walls above you. Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon is about nine miles north of Kanab along Highway 89.
Escalante: Remote Beauty & Access to Grand Staircase
If you’re looking to get off the beaten path, Escalante is a fantastic base camp. Located between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, It sits right on the edge of one of Utah’s most rugged landscapes.
A handful of down-home cafes and diners, along with several cozy inns and motels, serve the visitors who come through or use the town as a base camp for extended exploration.
Nearby Attractions
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
This National Monument is a vast area located in southern Utah, covering nearly 1.9 million acres of diverse landscapes, including cliffs, canyons, plateaus, and badlands. It is laid out in three distinct districts, so check the NPS website to help you plan your trip.
Escalante Petrified Forest Park
While not Petrified Forest National Park, you’ll still find plenty of petrified wood here. Two short, linked loop trails wind past many of the fossilized specimens, the area is also noted for Fremont Indian relics, 1,000-year-old petroglyphs and fossilized dinosaur bones.
Anasazi State Park Museum
The Ancestral Puebloans who inhabited this region over 1,000 years ago are often referred to as Anasazi. The highlight is the Puebloan remains of Coombs Village. Outside the museum, there’s a completely reconstructed six-room replica of the ancient dwelling.
100 Hands Pictograph
Between Boulder and Escalante, you’ll find the Pictographs on a rock overlooking the Escalante River.
Escalante is quieter than Moab or Kanab, making it ideal for travelers who want peace, solitude, and wide-open landscapes.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Utah Base Camp
Utah’s landscapes are some of the most dramatic in the country, but where you stay can make or break your trip.
Choosing the right base camp means: less driving time, more time to explore, and easier access to food, lodging and supplies. If you’re planning a road trip and need some ideas, check roadtrippers.com. They have ideas for places to stop, stay, and eat. Use code BTR5QTP to save $5.
The truth is you really can’t go wrong. Each of these towns offers its own version of Utah magic; red rock views, star-filled skies, and easy access to unforgettable adventures. Pick your base, unpack once, and spend your days chasing some of the best scenery in the American West.
We love to share tips and information we learn along the way to help you plan your trip. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.