Genola UtahATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Genola, Utah.
1. Utah Lake State Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION AREA
Utah Lake State Park offers visitors access to the largest freshwater lake in Utah, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The park features camping facilities, picnic areas, and boat ramps for easy lake access. Visitors can enjoy stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains as a backdrop to the expansive lake.
2. Grotto Falls
SCENIC WATERFALL HIKE
Grotto Falls is a family-friendly hiking destination featuring a short 0.5-mile trail with minimal elevation gain. The trail leads to a picturesque waterfall nestled in a small grotto surrounded by lush vegetation. This accessible natural attraction is particularly popular during summer months when the cool mist provides relief from the heat.
3. Mount Nebo via North Rim Trail
HIGHEST WASATCH PEAK
Mount Nebo stands as the tallest mountain in the Wasatch Range, offering hikers a challenging but rewarding 8.6-mile trail. The North Rim Trail begins at an elevation of approximately 9,300 feet, making it one of the more accessible major peaks to summit despite its impressive height. Hikers reaching the summit are rewarded with panoramic views of Utah Valley, the Great Salt Lake, and surrounding mountain ranges.
4. Burraston Ponds
RELAXING OUTDOOR RETREAT
Burraston Ponds is a peaceful recreation area featuring small ponds surrounded by trees perfect for hammocking and picnicking. The area is known for its famous Mona Rope Swing, making it a popular cooling-off spot during hot summer days. Visitors can enjoy stargazing at night, with clear views of the Milky Way due to minimal light pollution.
5. Lincoln Beach
SECLUDED SHORELINE DESTINATION
Lincoln Beach offers a more secluded alternative to the main Utah Lake State Park areas, accessible via Lake Road from Genola. This quieter shoreline destination provides opportunities for fishing, picnicking, and enjoying spectacular sunsets over Utah Lake. The beach area features basic amenities while maintaining a natural, less-developed atmosphere than other lake access points.
6. Timpanogos Cave National Monument
UNDERGROUND WONDER TOURS
Timpanogos Cave National Monument features a spectacular cave system nestled in the Wasatch Mountains accessible via a moderately strenuous hike. The guided tours take visitors through three connected limestone caves adorned with colorful formations including helictites, stalactites, and stalagmites. The cave maintains a constant 45°F temperature year-round, providing a cool retreat during summer months.
7. Grandpa's Cave
LOCAL HIDDEN GEM
Grandpa's Cave is a local natural attraction near Genola that offers visitors a chance to explore a small cave system. The cave serves as both a geological point of interest and a piece of local folklore for area residents. Visitors should bring flashlights and appropriate footwear to safely navigate the cave interior.
8. Ekins Quarry
HISTORIC MINING SITE
Ekins Quarry represents an important piece of Genola's industrial heritage as a former rock extraction site. The quarry offers visitors interested in geology a chance to observe various rock formations and mining techniques from Utah's past. Today, the area serves as both a historical site and a point of interest for those exploring Genola's development history.
9. Tintic Standard Reduction Mill
HISTORIC MINING RELIC
The Tintic Standard Reduction Mill stands as an impressive ruin from Utah's mining era, featuring remnants of concrete structures cascading down a hillside. This historic industrial site processed silver, gold, copper and lead ores using a specialized acid leaching process during its operation from 1920 to 1925. The abandoned mill provides photographers and history enthusiasts with a hauntingly beautiful glimpse into the region's mining past.
10. Brighton Resort
MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA
Brighton Resort offers year-round mountain recreation with skiing and snowboarding in winter and hiking trails during summer months. The resort is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and spectacular mountain scenery in the Wasatch Range. Visitors can enjoy historic buildings alongside natural beauty throughout the changing seasons.
11. Temple Square
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS CENTER
Temple Square serves as the spiritual center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, featuring the iconic Salt Lake Temple and numerous historic buildings. The 35-acre complex includes beautiful gardens, visitor centers, and the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir's performance venue. Free guided tours are available throughout the day, providing insights into the religious and cultural significance of this landmark destination.
12. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
ICONIC DESERT LANDSCAPE
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park showcases one of the most recognizable landscapes in America with its towering sandstone buttes and mesas rising dramatically from the desert floor. Visitors can experience this sacred Navajo land through a 17-mile scenic drive or guided tours led by Navajo guides who share cultural insights. The park has served as a backdrop for countless Western films and remains one of the most photographed locations in the American Southwest.
13. McConkie Ranch
ANCIENT ROCK ART
McConkie Ranch features some of Utah's most impressive petroglyphs carved into sandstone cliffs by ancient Fremont peoples. The detailed rock art depicts chieftains in full regalia along with various other symbols and figures, many preserved on desert varnish surfaces. Visitors can also enjoy wildlife viewing at a large pond below the cliffs, where Canada geese, redwing blackbirds, and sandhill cranes are often spotted.
14. St. George Historic Downtown
CHARMING TOWN CENTER
St. George Historic Downtown centers around a picturesque town square with water features that are particularly popular with families during warm weather. The area includes a small carousel, shops, restaurants, and an old-time general store maintaining its historic character. This charming district offers a pleasant atmosphere for strolling and serves as the cultural heart of southwestern Utah.
15. Josie's Fresh Mexican Food
LOCAL CULINARY FAVORITE
Josie's Fresh Mexican Food serves authentic, made-from-scratch Mexican cuisine in a casual, family-friendly setting near Genola. The restaurant is known for its house-made tortillas, fresh salsas, and generous portion sizes that keep locals returning regularly. Their signature dishes include chile verde burritos and homemade tamales prepared using traditional recipes passed down through generations.