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Priceless Fun: The Best Things to Do and Places to Visit in Price, Utah

Price works as a base rather than a destination, and the drives are the point. The Wedge, the quarry and Nine Mile Canyon are all out of town. Each of them means a dirt road and the better part of a day. Fill the tank before you leave town and carry your own water. There is no fuel and no phone signal out on the Swell.

Are you planning a trip to Utah and looking for somewhere off the usual route? Look at Price, Utah. This city sits in the middle of Utah’s desert country and runs activities across the ages. From the outdoor ground and the scenic drives to the historic sites, there is a version here for most people.

If you read history, work through the Carbon County Museum and what coal did to this region, though the museum appears under two other names later on this page. For outdoor people, Price gives you hiking, biking and fishing on the nearby Price River. And with children along, take the Prehistoric Museum and the Desert Wave Pool.

Whether you have a weekend or longer, Price, Utah works as a base for it. Keep reading for the things to do and places to visit in Price, Utah.

Key Takeaways

• Price, Utah is a hidden gem in the middle of Utah’s desert landscape, offering a variety of fun activities for all ages.
• History buffs will love exploring the Carbon County Museum, while outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, and fishing in the nearby Price River.
• Family-friendly attractions like the Prehistoric Museum and the Desert Wave Pool make Price the perfect destination for a weekend getaway or longer vacation.

Utah’s Hidden Gem: Price

You may have heard of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks, but have you heard of Price? This small town is not as well known as the parks around it, but it earns the stop. With the history, the landscape and what there is to do, Price is worth finding.

First and foremost, Price is home to the Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum. This museum is the stop for anybody interested in dinosaurs and deep history. You can see real bone and fossil alongside exhibits on the ancient Native American cultures here. It’s built for children and it will teach you something as well.

If you want outdoor time, Price has the ground. The nearby Manti-La Sal National Forest covers hiking, camping and fishing. You can also take the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, where the bone is still in the rock it was found in. And if you want it rougher, there are guided ATV tours of the country around here.

But Price is not only the history and the landscape. The town runs an arts scene with galleries, theaters and music venues. The Rio Theatre is the local one, showing older films alongside new ones. And for live music, check the concerts at the Carbon County Event Center.

Finally, no visit to Price works without eating locally. The town is known for its Mexican food and the choice is wider than you expect. Take the carne asada at El Salto or the fish tacos at Los 2 Amigos. And for something sweet, stop at the Sweetwater Bakery.

So next time you are in Utah, put Price on the route. It may be quiet, but it earns the trip.

Get Your Dose of History

Looking for the history of Price? You are well placed. This small town runs museums and historic sites that will take an afternoon. Here are a few worth taking:

Coal Mining and Railroads

Did you know that coal mining and the railroads made Price what it is? The Coal Miners Memorial marks the men who went underground here. You can also take the Railroad Museum for what the railroads did to this region.

Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum

If you read history, do not miss the Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum. This museum covers the prehistoric inhabitants of this ground, the dinosaurs among them. You’ll also find material from the Fremont and Ancestral Puebloan cultures.

Bryner Pioneer Museum

The Bryner Pioneer Museum is the stop for anybody interested in the history of Price and the country round it. This museum covers the pioneers who settled here along with the history of the local church. You’ll also find objects from the early days of coal mining.

Whether it is coal mining, the railroads, the prehistoric cultures or the pioneers, Price has a version of it. So why not take a day and work through the history of this town?

Unearth the Past

If you read history, Price, Utah has the depth for it. From dinosaur fossil to ancient rock art, the past here is unusually close to the surface.

Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry

First on the list should be the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry. This quarry holds one of the densest concentrations of dinosaur fossil anywhere on earth. You can see Allosaurus, Stegosaurus and the rest of what was here millions of years ago.

The quarry is described here as open year-round and it offers guided tours, though a remote site like this normally shuts for the winter, so check first. You’ll get the history of the dig and how the science is actually done. And the work out there is still turning up new material.

Nine Mile Canyon Pictographs

Next, head out to Nine Mile Canyon for some of the best preserved ancient rock art in the country. These panels were cut by the Fremont people over a thousand years ago and they show you how those people lived. Note that they are carvings rather than the pictographs named here.

You can take a guided tour or drive the canyon yourself. Bring a camera, because the panels are worth the effort of getting there.

Whether it is dinosaurs or the people who came after them, Price, Utah has it. So take the camera and go and look at the past directly.

Outdoor Adventures Await

Are you ready for outdoor time in Price, Utah? Look at the country around this town, which sits in the eastern part of the state rather than the south. From hiking to mountain biking, the ground here covers it.

Hiking the San Rafael Swell

The San Rafael Swell is the landscape that stops people, and it is built for walking. With the buttes, the hoodoos and the canyons through it, the scale takes some adjusting to. There are trails at every level out there. The ones people name are The Windows, which opens onto the whole Swell, and Off the Beaten Trail, which takes you into the remote end of it.

Mountain Biking in Price

If you want something harder, take mountain biking in Price. The town has Bicyclewerks Bike Shop, where you can rent and get pointed at the trails. The routes people name are the Price River Trail, which follows the river through town, and the riding around Nine Mile Canyon, though that one is a road rather than a trail system and is worth checking.

Off-Roading Fun

For off-roading, Price is properly placed. There are trails across the country here, the Swasey’s Leap Trail among them, which climbs over the ground surrounding Price. You can also run further out towards Capitol Reef National Park and Moab, though Moab is a town rather than a park and both are a long drive.

Climbing the Slot Canyons

If you walk canyons, the slots in this part of Utah are the reason to come. The San Rafael Swell holds some of the tighter ones, Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon among them. These are walk-through routes rather than climbs, and they are still not for anybody uneasy in narrow ground.

So what are you waiting for? Get out into the country around Price, Utah. Whether you walk, ride, drive or scramble, this ground will give you a day.

Family-Friendly Attractions

Looking for things to do with children in Price, Utah? Look at what follows. Here are the family options that will hold everybody.

Splashing at the Desert Wave Pool

The Desert Wave Pool is where a family cools off. With an indoor pool, water aerobics, diving boards and an inflatable obstacle course, every age gets something. You can also sit out on the deck while the children wear themselves out.

Exploring the Children’s Museums

If you want the children learning while they play, the Children’s Museums in Price, Utah are the stop. These run interactive exhibits that get them asking questions. From the science to the art, they will be busy and taking something in.

Fishing at the Carbon County Community Pond

Take the family fishing at the Carbon County Community Fishing Pond. This pond is stocked, so the children will actually catch something. You can pack a picnic and make a morning of it. This page also credits it with swim meets and swim lessons, which is worth checking for a fishing pond.

So there it is. Whether you want the wave pool, the Children’s Museums or the fishing at the Carbon County Community Pond, Price, Utah covers a family day.

How many dinosaur bones does one quarry need to be the densest anywhere on earth? Why is the largest rock art site in the country almost empty? And what is a coal town doing on the edge of all of this? Those are better questions to carry than any list of attractions. The answers are out on the dirt roads rather than in the town itself.

Discover Price’s Hidden Spots

Price, Utah is a small city, but that tells you very little. It holds a set of places most visitors drive straight past. From the overlooks to the ancient carvings and a fairgrounds that runs real events, there is more here than the map shows.

The Wedge Overlook

If you want the view, you have to take The Wedge Overlook. Located a short drive from Price, this overlook opens onto the San Rafael Swell in a way that takes a moment to process. It’s known as the Little Grand Canyon, and standing there the name makes sense. The canyon and the river below it are the reason people come. So take a picnic out to The Wedge and give it the afternoon.

Petroglyphs of Price

For the older version, head to the Petroglyphs of Price. These carvings were cut by the Fremont people over 1,000 years ago and they are still legible. The panels show animals, people and symbols, and they open a window onto how those people lived. So take the time and read the Petroglyphs of Price properly.

Carbon County Fairgrounds

If you want the straightforward version, the Carbon County Fairgrounds is where it happens. This venue runs events through the year, rodeos, demolition derbies and the county fair among them. So take the hat and get over there for the day.

In conclusion, Price, Utah holds far more than its size suggests. So take the boots, the camera and a full tank, and work through what this city sits next to.

Events and Festivals

If you want something on the calendar in Price, Utah, you are in luck. There is usually something running in this town. Here are a few worth planning around:

Sundance Film Festival

You may have heard of the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, and this page claims Price hosts its own version every summer in Carbon County. That does not match the festival, which runs in Park City in winter, so treat the whole entry as an error rather than a date to plan around.

Carbon County Rodeo

If you want the straightforward version, head to the Carbon County Rodeo. This annual event runs bull riding, barrel racing and the rest of it. And if you are brave enough, you can enter yourself.

Farmers Market Fun

If you buy fresh produce and handmade work, do not miss the Price Farmers Market. Held every Saturday through the summer months, this market is where to stock up on fruit and vegetables, taste what people have made and find something to take home.

No matter when you come to Price, something is on. So why not plan the trip and take what this town runs?

Accommodation and Rentals

Hotels in Price

Looking for somewhere to sleep after a day out in Price, Utah? Fear not, weary traveler, because there are hotels here to suit most needs. Whether you want the cheap end or something more comfortable, both exist.

Here are a few of our top picks:

• National 9 Inn: This budget-friendly hotel offers clean and comfortable rooms, as well as free Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast. Plus, it’s conveniently located near many of Price’s top attractions.
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Price: If you’re looking for a more upscale option, this hotel has you covered. With amenities like an indoor pool, fitness center, and complimentary breakfast, you’ll feel pampered during your stay.
• Legacy Inn: This family-owned hotel offers cozy rooms and a friendly staff. It’s also located near many of Price’s top restaurants and shops.

Bike Rentals at Bicyclewerks

If you want to take Price on two wheels, Bicyclewerks is the shop. This local business rents across the range, from mountain bikes to road bikes to electric ones.

Not sure where to ride? The staff at Bicyclewerks will plan a route around what you want and what you can actually do. Plus they run guided rides if you would rather not navigate.

So take a helmet and get out on the road, because there is no better way to cover Price.

Beyond Price: Utah’s Top Attractions

So you have taken Price, Utah and you want the rest of the state? Well, you are well placed, because Utah holds some of the more extraordinary country anywhere. From the red rock to the forest, there is a version for most people. Here are the Utah attractions worth the drive.

Arches National Park

If you want the landmarks people know, Arches National Park is the one in Utah. The park holds over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, Delicate Arch among them, which has become the image of this state. Whether you walk, camp or simply drive it, Arches National Park earns the trip.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is the hoodoo country, where wind and water have cut the rock into thin spires over millions of years. The park also holds some of the darkest skies in the country, which makes it serious stargazing ground. This page adds the Northern Lights, which do not reach this latitude, so plan for stars instead.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is where the walkers go, with routes running from flat strolls to serious climbs. The park also holds the views that put this state on posters, Zion Canyon among them. Whether you want the effort or simply the scenery, Zion National Park delivers.

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National Park is the quiet one in Utah, with red rock formations and a real history of Native American and pioneer settlement. The park also holds the fruit orchards, so stop at the Gifford Homestead for the pie.

So there it is. Whether you want the arches, the canyons or the orchards, Utah has all of it. So pack the bags and give it the time it needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the scoop on The Wedge in Price, Utah?

If you like a drive with something at the end of it, The Wedge is the one in Price, Utah. This overlook opens onto the San Rafael Swell and the canyons cut into it. But the road out there is not paved. It’s a dirt road that wants a vehicle with some clearance and a driver paying attention. So take it slowly and enjoy the ride.

How can I impress my date in Price, Utah?

Looking to impress somebody in Price, Utah? Take them out to the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, which is a drive rather than the hike described here. This site holds hundreds of dinosaur bones and there is nothing else like it. If that is not the mood, head to the Carbon County Event Center for live music or take a film at the Price Theatre, which is the same cinema named differently earlier. And eat afterwards at one of the local places, the Main Street Grill among them.

What are some hidden gems in Price, Utah?

If you want the quieter corners of Price, Utah, take the Desert Wave Pool, described here as outdoor though the earlier section calls it indoor. It runs a wave machine putting up waves of some size. Another is the Nine Mile Canyon. This drive runs through remote country full of ancient rock art, historic sites and landscape that keeps opening out. And if you drink craft beer, stop at the Balcony Bar & Grill.

What’s the best way to explore Price, Utah?

The way to take Price, Utah is by car. Rent one or bring your own and drive out into what surrounds this town. The stops worth making include the Price Canyon Recreation Area, the Carbon County Courthouse and the Western Mining and Railroad Museum, which is the museum this page names two other ways. And take the drive through the San Rafael Swell for the rock formations and the distance.

What’s the craziest event in Price, Utah?

The event people talk about in Price, Utah is the Carbon County Fair. This annual fixture runs a demolition derby, a rodeo, carnival rides and food. It’s how you see what the local culture actually is, and it works with the whole family.

What are some must-see attractions near Price, Utah?

If you want the attractions near Price, Utah, take the Dinosaur National Monument in Vernal, Utah. This site holds over 800 paleontological sites and some of the best known dinosaur fossil anywhere. Another is the Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, running over 2,000 natural sandstone arches with Delicate Arch among them. And if you want the long drive, head to Salt Lake City for the Temple Square and the Utah State Capitol.

Frequently asked questions about Price, Utah

Which months of the year is the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry open?

Not all year. This page says year-round, but a remote visitor center on a dirt road normally closes for the winter, so confirm the season before you drive out. What is in there is one of the densest bone beds anywhere on earth. The road in is graded dirt and it washboards badly. Go in the late spring, before the heat arrives and while that road is still firm.

What time of year should you drive Nine Mile Canyon?

Spring or fall. The canyon holds the largest concentration of rock art on the continent and almost no shade at all, which makes a summer day out there hard work. The panels there are carvings rather than paintings, whatever this page calls them. The drive itself is long and much of it is unpaved. Start early with a full tank, because there is no fuel and no signal out there.

Which part of the year does the Desert Wave Pool open?

Mostly the summer. This page calls it indoor in one place and outdoor in another, and that difference decides entirely whether it is a summer attraction or a year-round one. The wave machine and the inflatable obstacle course are what the children come for. It is the cheap indoor answer on a hot afternoon. Call ahead whatever the month, because a small municipal pool will close for maintenance without notice.

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