Things to do & places to visit in Parowan, Utah, United States

Parowan city in Utah, United States. Timezone: America/Denver, current date and time: Sunday, May 05, 2024, 8:54.

Top things to do (12)

• National Parks
• Visitor Centers
• Equestrian Trails
• Scenic Drives
• Nature & Wildlife Areas
• Farms
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Horseback Riding Tours
• Antique Shops
• Cemeteries
• History Museums
• Speciality & Gift Shops

Top places to visit

1. 5.0 Winter Hawk Trail Rides (12 reviews)
   - Ride it like a Cowboy
   Equestrian Trails • Horseback Riding Tours
   
   
   Vast expanse of gorgeous meadows, lake silhouette, and marvelous sunsets... Mike and Jamie are your perfect tour guides. Sophia (their pet) also kept us safe by coming with us as we rode around the area. Love the authenticity and uniqueness of the experience. Jamie was so sweet and prepared a Dutch oven taco meal and a superb peach blueberry pie. Me and my husband both had second helpings. Imagine this under a starry sky, warm campfire logs and Mike's baritone singing some cowboy songs. In the middle of nowhere, all you hear were soft muffling of the dogs and newborn pups. No TV, no radio no light pollution. We felt like we got transported 100 years back in time, wild wild west style! They ride all year long. We will come back to try the Panguich Lake tour by September during fall and probably some winter trails as well. I highly recommend them if you're like me looking for some adventure. See more..
   
2. 5.0 Mount Messiaen (2 reviews)
   - A special tribute to a towering master
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   The French composer Olivier Messiaen may have a comparatively small following but those who love his music will probably tell you that it has enriched their perspective on art and life significantly. A life-long nature and bird song enthusiast, Messiaen was greatly moved by his visit to the canyons of southern Utah. He paid tribute to the region by composing his sprawling masterpiece Des Canyons Aux Etoiles. In 1978 the Parowan Cultural Committee dedicated this mountain to him, and commemorated the occasion with a plaque. It's a very special place for any Messiaen enthusiast to visit! Finding the mountain may not be so easy because there is no signage, but its distinctive onion dome-like shape makes it distinct from the surrounding landscape. As described in another post, there is a turn-off on route 143 between Parowan and Brian Head. You have to keep an eye out for it because the path is easily missed. Once you've arrived at the mountain, finding the plaque is even more of a challenge! It is mounted on a rock, low to the ground, facing away from the footpath! The mounting stone is propped up on some rocks, so I wonder if it used to be more visible and perhaps collapsed at some point. Anyway, don't give up your search if you struggle to find it! Before or after your visit, be sure to visit the breathtaking Cedar Breaks National Monument just a few miles away. This extraordinary place inspired the 5th movement of Des Canyons Aux Etoiles, subtitled "Cedar Breaks et le don de crainte" or "Cedar Breaks and the gift of awe". See more..
   
3. 5.0 The Rusty Bucket (1 review)
   - Wonderful Place to find some Cool & Unique items!
   Speciality & Gift Shops • Antique Shops
   
   
   My brother and I stopped in here while we were visiting this quaint town of Parowan. The proprietor was super friendly! There were plenty of interesting antiques and assorted doodads to look at. We had a fun time browsing through all of the rooms, and my brother ended up buying a couple of neat items! See more..
   
4. 5.0 Utah's Patchwork Parkway (1 review)
   - Taking the Scenic Route
   Scenic Drives
   Hwy 143 is a BEAUTIFUL drive that connects some must-see locations in Iron County. You can travel HWY 143 from Parowan to Brian Head Resort, take a small detour to Cedar Breaks National Monument, then return to 143 and continue on to Panguitch Lake (Garfield County). You start in the adorable small town of Parowan, UT (like quintessential Americana town) and wind through the beautiful forests and rock formations along Hwy 143. There are plenty of interesting places along the way where you can stop and explore, stretch your legs, or have a picnic. A few notes on Hwy 143: *You will notice a large burn scar from the Brian Head Fire of June 2017 *During the winter the drive can get a little tricky and can require snow chains. *The S turn near the top can be a little frightening, just take it slow and enjoy the view that this curve in the road offers! See more..
   
5. 4.5 Parowan Gap Petroglyphs (171 reviews)
   - Definitely worth a visit, a little walking, and a few photographs
   National Parks • Nature & Wildlife Areas
   
   
   I have visited and photographed dozens of petroglyph sites across the United States, and have returned to see the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs several times. They are dramatic and varied, and lots of them are visible from the walking path on both sides of the highway. The most interesting one (to me) appears to track the sun's position in the sky relative to the gap between the hills. The site is only 3 miles off I-15, and definitely worth a stop. Also visit the adjacent "Dinosaur Footprints" site, which is not as interesting, but still nice short hike with interesting signage. See more..
   
6. 4.5 Parowan Cemetery (7 reviews)
   - Wonderful small town cemetery
   Spent 1-2 hours Cemeteries
   
   
   Great for those who appreciate this kind of historical information. The town takes very good care of the cemetery and allows decorations for special events (July 4th, Memorial Day, etc) so it's takes on a very nice look with flags, flowers and decorations. Lots of older graves and a wonderful map available at the visitor's center (Main and Center street) that had detailed info about burials as well as headstone styles. There is also a computer kiosk that's open at different times to look up information. Rows are paved and deer roam the grounds in the winter. See more..
   
7. 4.0 Dinosaur Footprint Parowan Gap (29 reviews)
   - Great side trip, especially for kids interested in dinosaurs
   Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   Take a quick side trip off of I-15 east of Parowan to see these Dinosaur Footprints and also the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs. You could rush in less time, but take an hour overall to see both. Several footprints are well marked. Hopefully the site will be respected since there are no barriers or protection of the fossilized footprints. To get here, take the Parowan exit, find 400 North, and go west on 400 North. You will cross the freeway. Just follow the road for 9 or 10 miles. You can't miss them. See more..
   
8. 4.0 Parowan Old Rock Church Museum (2 reviews)
   - A Great Side Trip for History Buffs and Geneologists—Old Rock Church—A Starting Point
   Spent 1-2 hours History Museums
   
   
   Just off Interstate 15, and well worth a side trip, the Old Rock Church in Parowan, Utah is located in the town square and is highly recommended for history buffs who want to learn about Southern Utah, and/or anyone whose family origins are from this area, or who is into geneology. The oldest settlement in the area, the origin of all other towns and cities, Parowan is known as the Mother City of Southern Utah and the Old Rock Church Museum is a treasure house of old photos and memorabilia. Open between Memorial Day and Labor Day, or contact the Parowan Visitor Center for help with arranging an appointment to visit the museum at other times. See more..
   
9. Parowan Visitor Center (0 review)
   Visitor Centers
   
   
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10. Sweet Pea Farm & Orchard (0 review)
    Sunday: Farms
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