Charleston UtahATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Charleston, Utah.
1. Cascade Springs
NATURAL CASCADING WATER GARDEN
Cascade Springs is a natural collection of streams that join into a cascading garden of pools, small falls, and lush vegetation. Visitors can enjoy the serene environment while walking along boardwalks that wind through the various water features. The area offers a refreshing escape into nature with opportunities for photography and wildlife viewing.
2. Rocky Mountain Outfitters
ADVENTURE TOUR PROVIDER
Rocky Mountain Outfitters offers guided outdoor adventures and experiences in the Charleston area. Their highly-rated tours allow visitors to explore the natural beauty of the region through horseback riding, sleigh rides, and other outdoor activities. With a 4.8 rating from over 1,200 reviews, they are a premier choice for experiencing Utah's outdoor wonders.
3. Ice Castles
WINTER WONDERLAND EXPERIENCE
Ice Castles is a magical winter attraction featuring hand-crafted ice formations that create a frozen wonderland. Visitors can wander through towering ice structures, slide down ice slides, and experience the enchantment of color-changing LED lights embedded in the ice after dark. This seasonal attraction typically operates during the winter months when temperatures allow the ice structures to remain frozen.
4. Soldier Hollow Golf Course
CHAMPIONSHIP MOUNTAIN COURSE
Soldier Hollow Golf Course offers a challenging and scenic golfing experience in the mountains near Charleston. The course features spectacular views of the surrounding landscape and well-maintained fairways and greens. With a 4.3 rating, golfers appreciate both the quality of the course and the natural beauty of its setting.
5. Soldier Hollow
OLYMPIC VENUE RECREATION AREA
Soldier Hollow served as a venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics and now functions as a year-round recreation area. In winter, visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and tubing, while summer activities include mountain biking and hiking. The facility hosts various competitions and events throughout the year, making it a hub for outdoor sports enthusiasts.
6. Commemorative Air Force
HISTORIC AIRCRAFT MUSEUM
The Commemorative Air Force in the Charleston area preserves and displays historic military aircraft for public education and enjoyment. Visitors can view restored vintage aircraft and learn about their significance in American military history. The organization occasionally offers flight experiences in these historic planes, providing a unique opportunity to experience aviation history firsthand.
7. Heber Valley Railroad
SCENIC HISTORIC TRAIN
The Heber Valley Railroad offers scenic train rides through the beautiful Heber Valley near Charleston. Passengers travel in vintage train cars while enjoying spectacular views of mountains, valleys, and waterways. Special themed rides are offered throughout the year, including dinner trains and seasonal excursions like the North Pole Express during the holiday season.
8. Deer Creek Reservoir
WATERSPORTS AND RECREATION
Deer Creek Reservoir is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other water recreation activities near Charleston. The reservoir is surrounded by stunning mountain views and offers beaches for swimming and picnicking during warmer months. Year-round fishing opportunities include rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, and perch.
9. Midway Swiss Days
CULTURAL HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Midway Swiss Days is an annual festival celebrating the Swiss heritage of the area near Charleston. The event features traditional Swiss music, dancing, food, and crafts that showcase the cultural traditions brought by Swiss settlers. Held every Labor Day weekend, this popular festival draws thousands of visitors to enjoy parades, entertainment, and over 100 vendor booths.
10. Homestead Crater
GEOTHERMAL HOT SPRING
The Homestead Crater is a natural hot spring contained within a 55-foot tall, beehive-shaped limestone dome near Charleston. Visitors can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, or enjoy a therapeutic soak in the mineral-rich waters that maintain a constant temperature of around 90-96 degrees Fahrenheit. The unique geological formation took over 10,000 years to form and is the only warm water scuba diving destination in the continental United States.
11. Blue Boar Inn
ELEGANT EUROPEAN DINING
The Blue Boar Inn is an award-winning restaurant offering European-inspired cuisine in a charming, Old World setting near Charleston. The menu features seasonal ingredients and expert preparation, earning it recognition as one of Utah's finest dining establishments. The restaurant's elegant ambiance is complemented by its location in a boutique hotel designed to resemble a European chateau.
12. Heber Valley Artisan Cheese
FARM-TO-TABLE DAIRY EXPERIENCE
Heber Valley Artisan Cheese offers visitors the opportunity to sample and purchase handcrafted cheeses made from the milk of their own dairy cows. The family-owned operation provides tours where guests can learn about the cheese-making process from farm to table. Their on-site store also features other local food products and a café serving cheese-centric dishes like gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
13. Wasatch Mountain State Park
FOUR-SEASON OUTDOOR RECREATION
Wasatch Mountain State Park encompasses over 23,000 acres of mountain terrain offering recreational activities throughout all four seasons. Summer visitors enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and golfing, while winter brings opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. The park's diverse landscape includes streams, forests, and meadows with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.
14. Memorial Hill
PATRIOTIC VIEWPOINT MONUMENT
Memorial Hill features a monument honoring veterans and offers one of the best panoramic views of Heber Valley near Charleston. Visitors can climb to the top of this small hill to see the American flag display and read about local military history. The location is particularly popular for viewing fireworks during Independence Day celebrations and for capturing photographs of the surrounding mountains and valley.
15. Main Street Shops
CHARMING LOCAL BOUTIQUES
The Main Street shopping district in nearby Heber City offers a collection of unique boutiques, antique shops, and specialty stores. Visitors can browse for handmade crafts, local artwork, clothing, and home décor in a charming small-town atmosphere. The walkable downtown area also features several local eateries where shoppers can stop for refreshments between stores.