Heritage Courthouse is a very large place for families to gather. Though tucked away in tiny Junction, Utah, it is relatively close to southern Utah’s many treasures, including Bryce Canyon. The main attraction, though, is the massive courthouse itself. As we pulled up to the property, we were shocked at just how massive and beautiful this place is. If you mention “Utah’s Adventure Family” when you book your stay, they will offer a 10% discount (and if your stay is for 2024 you can save 15%).
The Heritage Courthouse was built in 1903, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. For this reason, the Courthouse is largely unchanged, though it has been updated and morphed, in purpose, from a courthouse to a residence.
Outside
Before you go into Heritage Courthouse, you’ll notice the spacious property. There is a large, well-maintained lawn that our boys enjoyed. There is also a huge patio, with hanging lights, seating, a barbecue, and a large hammock. Around the corner is a huge firepit that we enjoyed as the night sky grew dark. Of course, there is also plenty of parking, since the Heritage Courthouse can accommodate a lot of people!
Inside the Courthouse
The Heritage Courthouse has room for a huge family reunion. You enter the courthouse through the back door, and step into the large kitchen. It is well-stocked, and it has a dishwasher. There is a massive fridge/freezer, and a second fridge in a large vault. The kitchen is well stocked with kitchen implements and games. Connected to the kitchen is a large dining area that seats at least 2 dozen people.
The website claims that up to 42 people can stay in the Courthouse. We counted beds for about half that number, but there were pullout mattresses, couches, a really huge sofa, and more than ample space to spread people around. This included four large bedrooms for adults and 4 smaller bedrooms for groups of kids. You could easily bring cots or air mattresses because the rooms are very large with tons of space. There are five bathrooms, but only three showers.
The best room in the house is upstairs. It is the old courtroom and it has been made into a large hang out area. It had a massive couch and TV area, as well as pool, air hockey, and foosball tables. The kids spent a lot of time in this room!
The adults’ favorite room was the library. The library is full of books, as well as a chess table. It has large windows and a loft area to enjoy your books. This was a popular spot for our readers.
One of the highlights in this historic building were the names over the doors. The names were for the different offices in the courthouse, and it was a lot of fun to see that one of the bathrooms was the “Necessary Room” and the eating area is the “Energy Department.” Each of the bedrooms has different labels, and one is even the old jail.
Historic Building
The Heritage Courthouse seems a bit rustic, and it is, because some upgrades are forbidden due to the placement on the historic registry. This is wonderful, because the building is very much a historical place and has that feel, but it can be daunting, because there are no fans in the bathrooms, for example. Floors squeak, windows don’t open or close, and closets often include vault doors. For us, all those things added to the fun of our family get-together, but go in knowing what to expect.
What to do Nearby
We loved our stay at The Heritage Courthouse! Make sure to mention Utah’s Adventure Family when booking to save 10% off. For more information on the Heritage Courthouse, visit their website. We played games indoors and out at the courthouse, and we also visited the following locations that are near Junction, Utah.
- Bryce Canyon (1 hour)
- Red Canyon (45 minutes)
- Cove Fort (1 hour)
- Fremont Indian State Park (30 minutes)
- Bullion Falls (35 minutes)
- Butch Cassidy’s Childhood Home (10 minutes)
- Piute Reservoir (7 minutes)
- Junction City Park (4 minute walk from Heritage Courthouse)
- Otter Creek State Park (25 minutes)
- Richfield City Park (45 minutes)
