Utah is one of the best states to live and the second happiest in the United States. It has everything: mountains, deserts, lakes, ruins, and some of the most extraordinary natural landscapes in the U.S. One landscape you can find for your amusement is Nephi. These are the top things to do in Nephi, Utah.
Utah is home to some of the most spectacular national parks and towns in the United States. A week-long road trip is the perfect way to visit the most scenic locations. Hikers, photographers, and thrill-seekers would enjoy this road trip destination.
The fascinating city of Nephi is one of the places in Utah that you can visit. Spend a week exploring Nephi’s national parks, which have anything from canyons to rust-colored arches. Nephi is a city in Juab County in Utah and part of the Provo–Orem, Utah, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The town is located eighty-four miles south of Salt Lake City, 40 miles south of Provo, 60 miles north of Fillmore, and 42 miles northwest of Manti. Nephi is in central Utah, between I-15 and S.R. 132, accessible from Las Vegas.
The town of Nephi is centered in a spectacular high desert valley at the base of Mount Nebo, Utah’s highest point in the Wasatch Range. When you leave the Wasatch Front’s suburban settlements and enter vast stretches of Utah desert and mountain foothills on I-15 south of Salt Lake City, Nephi represents one of the last glimpses of civilization.
This sets Nephi in an excellent location: on the outskirts of the frontier, with easy access to some of Utah’s most beautiful wilderness and just a short drive from the state’s largest cities. Continue reading to learn more about where to stay, eat, and play in Nephi.
Best Things to Do in Nephi, Utah
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Best Restaurants in Nephi
Celebrate the start of your Nephi road trip by having your Chinese cravings satisfied from Oriental Garden. Actually, a lot of the time, the best thing about travel is trying out local food! You know what they say “Food is not just eating energy. It’s an experience.” See below these spots to dine and feast in Nephi.
- One Man Band
- Nebo Queen Drive-Inn
- Dalton’s Fine Dining
- Daley Freez
- Glade’s Drive Inn
- Home Plate Cafe
- JC Mickelson’s Restaurant
- Juanita’s
- Lisa
- Los 4 Amigos
- Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant
- Mi Rancherito Mexican Restaurant
See Related: Best & Fun Things to do in St. George, Utah
Sightseeing in Nephi
The Burraston Ponds are only a few minutes north of town. Swimming, fishing, scuba diving, picnicking, and potentially one of the best rope swings in Utah Valley are all available at these wetlands, which are fed by warm springs.
Of note, most of these events are better enjoyed throughout the season. The old mining town of Eureka is 23 miles northeast of Nephi. The historic buildings that line the main street are a photographer’s fantasy, and a mining museum has recently opened.
To the west of Nephi, the West Desert is a recreational Mecca with rock climbing, cycling, and camping opportunities. In that place, you’ll find the Little Sahara Sand Dunes. Nephi offers a wide range of sightseeing experiences.
Museums and art galleries, theme parks, National and State Parks, historical sites, sports activities, and festivals are all popular tourist destinations.
If attractions aren’t your thing, enjoy the varied wildlife and scenery along with one of the Nephi area’s breathtaking byways, back roads, or historical paths. Take a look at our list of Nephi’s best sightseeing surrounding areas.
- Camp Floyd / Stagecoach Inn State Park
- Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum
- Eureka – Historic Mining Town
- Manti City Pool
- Meadow Hot Spring
- Mount Nebo
- Nephi Swimming Pool
- Topaz Mountain Rockhound Recreation Area
- West Desert
- Yuba Lake State Park
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Recreation Activities in Nephi
Some of the Nephi area’s most significant activities include hiking, biking, whitewater rafting, camping, and golf courses.
Here are the best things you can do in Nephi.
Hiking Trails
Discover the best hiking trails in Nephi.
Emerald Lake Trail (Aspen Grove)
Address: Emerald Lake, Utah 84604, USA
This stunning trail leads to Emerald Lake on the Mt. Timpanogos flanks, passing through wildflowers and over many geysers.
Red Lake Trail
Address: Red Lake, Utah 84651, USA
If you are looking for an easy-peasy and relaxed hiking day, Red Lake Trail would be the best option. This easy trail climbs from near Maple Lake to Red Lake, an excellent place for a picnic.
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Santaquin Peak – Loafer Mountain Trail
Address: Santaquin Peak, Utah 84653, United States
While many peaks along the Wasatch Front are higher than Santaquin Mountain, few hikes in the area are as beautiful as this one. On the way to Loafer Ridge, the trail passes through various groves of maple and aspen trees, making it exceptionally breathtaking in the fall.
Bike trails and other cycling routes in the Nephi area Lake Mountains, Loafer Mountain Trail, and Pioneer Trail (Ephraim Canyon). You can also enjoy activities in Nephi, such as boating, fishing, golfing, rock climbing, and snowmobiling.
Maple Canyon is a world-renowned climbing destination noted for its rich and complicated cobblestone trails. Toxic Potatoes, Deliverance, and Dang Awesome are only a few of the ominous names given to these paths. Maple Canyon is famous in the rock climbing world both nationally and globally, but it is largely unfamiliar to Utah locals.
Take advantage of the exclusive surrounding attractions if you’re staying longer. The Mount Nebo Scenic Loop starts 6 miles east of town and runs 37 miles north to Payson and Utah Valley. The Mount Nebo Wilderness Area is visible from this byway, which reaches a height of 9,000 feet.
The road passes through Devil’s Kitchen Geologic Interest, several lakes, and views of Utah Valley. For those with the time, there is a plethora of great road trip destinations and trailheads to choose from. If you’re looking for more activities to enjoy in Utah, you can find tours in GetYourGuide and Viator.
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Where to stay in Nephi, Utah
These locations offer numerous accommodation options, including hostels, restaurants, teepees, apartments, campgrounds, and the side of the road. Since hotels are everywhere, reservations aren’t necessarily needed weeks in advance.
However, if you have a particular location in mind or are on a tight budget, we would consider making a reservation to ensure that you get what you want and don’t have to pay a premium price for a walk-in at the last minute. Unless they’re super good or fill up quickly, we won’t suggest particular places to stay.
The following is a list of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and other lodging accommodations in the Nephi region. For more details on any hotel, click on its name.
Quality Inn
Address: 830 N Main St, Payson, UT 84651, United States
The Quality Inn hotel is conveniently near Interstate 15 and provides easy entry. The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway, Utah Lake State Park, the Sundance Ski Resort, and Timpanogos Cave National Monument are all in the West Desert close to this Payson, UT inn. It takes 15 miles to get to Brigham Young University.
The hotel is just 50 minutes south of Salt Lake. The hotel’s exclusive services and facilities include complimentary deluxe continental breakfast and free coffee in the lobby. The indoor enclosed pool, hot tub, and sauna are available to guests. A small fitness room is also single.
Pet Accommodation: $20.00 per stay; limit of two pets per bed, each weighing no more than 50 pounds.
See Related: Best Things to Do in Provo, Utah
Motel 6 Nephi
Address: 2195 S Main St, Nephi, UT 84648, USA
The Motel 6 Nephi is in a charming part of Utah, close to shopping and eating. Relax in a heated indoor pool or hot tub. The Motel 6 has contemporary rooms featuring wood-effect ceilings, free WiFi, unrestricted local phone calls, and an on-site coin laundry facility.
Super 8 Nephi
Address: 1901 S Main St, Nephi, UT 84648, United States
Make yourself at home in one of the 40 individually furnished guest rooms at Super 8 Nephi, all equipped with refrigerators and microwaves.
You can stay linked with complimentary wireless Internet connectivity, and cable television is accessible for your enjoyment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combos use deep soaking bathtubs and complimentary toiletries.
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Economy Inn & Suites
Address: 885 East 100 North, Nephi, UT 84648, United States
In Nephi, Utah, this hotel is off Interstate 15 and provides classically decorated rooms with free Wi-Fi and cable TV. It has an indoor pool 1.8 miles from Canyon Hills Golf Course. At the Economy Lodge – Nephi, visitors have free access to the soothing jacuzzi.
On-site laundry services are open, and the hotel team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the 24-hour front desk. A continental breakfast is served every morning, and on-site vending machines have snacks and drinks.
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Safari Motel
Address: 413 South Main Street, Nephi, UT 84648, United States
This lodging in Nephi, Utah, has a seasonal outdoor pool and is just 2 miles from Mount Nebo Loop. Free Wi-Fi is available in all guest rooms. At the Safari Motel, each room has a cable TV with extra channels.
Tea and coffee-making facilities are provided in all rooms with private bathrooms. There is a refrigerator and a microwave in the room. Safari Motel Nephi has a front desk open 24 hours a day. There are also fax and photocopy facilities online. This hotel is 37 miles from the Little Sahara Sand Dunes. It takes 40 minutes to drive to Yuba Reservoir.
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Best Western Paradise Inn
Address: 1025 South Main Street, Nephi, UT 84648, United States
The Best Western Paradise Inn of Nephi is conveniently situated in Juab County along the Interstate 15 line. At an affordable cost, hotel guests can enjoy excellent customer service, amenities, and smoke-free accommodations.
The Little Sahara Sand Dunes, the Mount Nebo Scenic Loop, and the Star Mountain Ranch are all within a distance of this Nephi hotel. Golfing at Sunset View Golf Course and fishing at Burraston Pond are nearby outdoor and leisure events.
Every morning, a free continental breakfast is served. Pets are permitted, but only under such conditions. Limited business services and meeting rooms for up to 50 people are also open.
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Travel Tips for Visiting Nephi, Utah
Located in the heart of Central Utah, Nephi offers a wealth of outdoor attractions and activities for travelers. To ensure your trip is a success, here are some essential travel tips for visiting Nephi, Utah. With these handy tips, you’ll be sure to enjoy the best of what this charming town has to offer.
Transportation
There are three ways to get from Salt Lake City to Nephi – train, shuttle, bus, or car. Flying into Salt Lake is simple if you’re coming from out of the country. Other decent airports to fly into include Las Vegas, Nevada, and Flagstaff, Arizona; the order must only be adjusted.
You can drive if you’re traveling from inside the United States, or you can make it a perfect American road trip, check out national parks, and travel from your house.
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Weather
Summers in Nephi are hot and largely clear, winters are cold and partly cloudy, and it is dry all year. The temperature ranges typically from 19°F to 89°F during the year, with temperatures occasionally falling below 6°F or rising above 97°F.
According to the tourism ratings, the best time to visit Nephi for warm-weather events is from late June to early September.
What to bring to a trip to Nephi
This isn’t a comprehensive list of what you’ll need; instead, it’s a list of items you might overlook, as well as some necessities!
- Sunscreen
- Good hiking shoes
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Rain jacket
- Hat to keep the sun out of your eyes
- Extra water (like a lot of water), we love a good Camelbak
When you visit Utah, you can check out what to pack for Utah – a packing list so you won’t forget anything. Be sure to follow us on Instagram via our handle @viatravelers or check out our YouTube channel for real-time travel vlogs.
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