Even some Utahns may not have heard of Parowan, but there are some pretty exciting things to do in this small town. We enjoyed spending a day seeing some of the history of this area of southern Utah.
Parowan claims to be the jumping off point for many settlements in southern Utah and beyond. This is very likely true as the town dates back to 1851, just a few years after Brigham Young and the Pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. Clearly some person or group has taken the time to preserve the history of Parowan, which makes it a gem to visit. Here are a few things to do when you visit Parowan.
Visit Parowan Gap Petroglyphs
The number one thing to see in Parowan is a beautiful set of petroglyphs located west of town. If you only do one thing in Parowan, make the stop for this ancient art at the Parowan Gap.
Eat a Cinnamon Roll
Parowan proclaims itself the Home of the World’s Greatest Cinnamon Roll. Be sure to stop in at one of the many restaurants to see if their claim is true! If you need a list of places that sell cinnamon rolls, you can stop at the Parowan Visitor Center.
See Dinosaur Tracks
If you’re on your way to the petroglyphs, stop by and see three clear dinosaur tracks. This site has a short walk involved, and all of the tracks are clearly marked with a metal dinosaur track so they are easy to find.
Tour the Old Rock Church
This tabernacle, built in the style of Brigham City, Provo, Temple Square, and Paris, Idaho, is now run by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. They have turned The Old Rock Church into a historical museum with hundreds of artifacts.
Walk Through a Historical Park
There are two outdoor historical sites that are open all the time. Either place takes only a few minutes to tour. The first, Parowan Industrial Center, is a gravel lot with old farm equipment. It also has an old school house and wagon. This site is located at 100 W 200 S.
The second site contains several bronze statues that tell the story of Parowan. Parowan Heritage Park also has a small spring that bubbles out of the rocks. It is located at 19 Old Highway 91. If you follow Main Street South, it is on the left hand side just passed Maverick.
The great thing about Parowan is that you can stop for a few hours and see all of these sites as you pass through on your way down the freeway. Check it out! If you are in the area, here is our list of Things to do Near Cedar City.
