10 Unforgettable Short Road Trips From Tooele, Utah

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10 Easy Road Trips from Tooele, Utah: Iconic Things to Do Just Outside the County

If you live in Tooele, Utah or you’re staying there for a few days, you might be surprised how many fun places are just a short drive away—once you head out of the county line. Whether you’re craving mountain views, lake days, small-town charm, or wild Nevada desert, these short road trips from Tooele give you a lot of choices without needing a long vacation. Below are 10 out-of-county road trips from Tooele, focusing on nearby spots in:
  • Box Elder County, UT
  • Davis County, UT
  • Juab County, UT
  • Salt Lake County, UT
  • Utah County, UT
  • Weber County, UT
  • Elko County, NV
  • White Pine County, NV
All driving times are approximate and start from Tooele city.

1. Antelope Island State Park – Buffalo, Beaches & Big Skies (Davis County)

Approx. drive: about 1 hour 15–30 minutes County: Davis County, Utah If you want a classic Utah day trip without going too far, Antelope Island State Park is hard to beat. It’s one of the best places near Tooele to see wildlife and the Great Salt Lake up close. You’ll drive through Davis County to the causeway, then out onto the island itself. The view feels almost otherworldly—wide open water, distant mountains, and a huge sky. Highlights:
  • Look for free-roaming bison, antelope, and countless birds.
  • Swim or float in the salty water (bring sandals—the shore can be rocky).
  • Hike simple trails like Buffalo Point for sunset views.
  • Have a picnic with lake and mountain scenery all around.
On a clear evening, watching the sun drop behind the lake feels like you’ve driven way farther than just over an hour from Tooele.

2. Downtown Salt Lake City – Urban Fun & Historic Sights (Salt Lake County)

Approx. drive: about 35–45 minutes County: Salt Lake County, Utah When you’re ready for city energy, downtown Salt Lake City is the easy answer. It’s close enough for a half-day trip but packed with things to do. You can park once and walk to most of the downtown attractions. Ideas for your day:
  • Visit Temple Square and stroll the gardens and historic buildings.
  • Walk up City Creek Canyon or shop and eat at City Creek Center.
  • Check out the Utah State Capitol for free tours and city views.
  • Catch a Jazz game, concert, or event depending on the season.
If you’re from a smaller town, it’s fun just to people-watch, window shop, and try a new restaurant you don’t have back home.

3. Big Cottonwood Canyon – Quick Escape to the Mountains (Salt Lake County)

Approx. drive: about 1 hour 10–20 minutes County: Salt Lake County, Utah Looking for cooler air and mountain scenery without a huge drive? Big Cottonwood Canyon offers that classic Wasatch mountain feel and is still an easy road trip from Tooele. The drive up the canyon alone is worth it—tight curves, tall peaks, and thick pines. What to do there:
  • Hike to Donut Falls (family-friendly, very popular).
  • Walk around Silver Lake near Brighton on a flat boardwalk trail.
  • Pack a cooler and enjoy a roadside picnic by the creek.
  • In winter, go skiing or snowboarding at Brighton or Solitude.
If you time it for fall, the canyon glows with red and gold leaves. It’s also a relaxing place to just drive, pull over at a turnout, and breathe for a while.

4. Ogden & Historic 25th Street – Food, Trains & Mountain Backdrop (Weber County)

Approx. drive: about 1 hour 10–20 minutes County: Weber County, Utah Ogden doesn’t always get as much attention as Salt Lake, but it has a fun, slightly gritty, historic feel that makes it worth the trip. The main draw is Historic 25th Street, lined with old brick buildings, shops, and restaurants, with the mountains rising right behind town. Don’t miss:
  • The Utah State Railroad Museum at Ogden Union Station.
  • Browsing local shops and grabbing lunch or dinner on 25th Street.
  • Walking along the Ogden River Parkway if you want a simple, flat stroll.
If you like history and trains, this is a great out-of-county day trip from Tooele that mixes culture with a laid-back downtown vibe.

5. Golden Spike National Historical Park – Where the Rails Met (Box Elder County)

Approx. drive: about 1 hour 45 minutes–2 hours County: Box Elder County, Utah If you’re a history buff, or you just enjoy wide open spaces, Golden Spike National Historical Park is a cool stop in Box Elder County. This is the spot where the First Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869, connecting the East and West coasts. What you can do:
  • See replica steam locomotives (check the schedule for demonstrations).
  • Walk along the old rail grade and imagine the workers who built it.
  • Visit the visitor center for exhibits about the railroad and the workers.
The landscape is open and quiet, which somehow makes the history feel even bigger. It’s an easy day trip from Tooele if you don’t mind some driving across open desert and farmland.

6. Provo & Utah Lake – College Town Energy & Lakeside Views (Utah County)

Approx. drive: about 1 hour 10–20 minutes County: Utah County, Utah Head south to Provo for a totally different flavor. It’s a busy college town (home to BYU), with a walkable downtown, mountain views, and nearby Utah Lake. You can combine city and nature in the same easy trip. Ideas for your Provo day:
  • Stroll Center Street for coffee, dessert, and local shops.
  • Walk or bike stretches of the Provo River Parkway.
  • Drive to Utah Lake State Park for lake views, boating, or fishing.
  • If you’re up for a short hike, try the trail to Bridal Veil Falls up Provo Canyon.
On summer evenings, downtown Provo often has live music, food trucks, or events, which makes it a nice change of pace from quiet Tooele nights.

7. Nephi & Yuba Lake – Simple Small-Town Escape (Juab County)

Approx. drive: about 1 hour 30–40 minutes County: Juab County, Utah Sometimes you’re not looking for a big attraction—you just want a slow, easy day away from home. For that, head south to Nephi and nearby Yuba Lake State Park in Juab County. What you might do:
  • Grab breakfast or lunch in Nephi’s small-town cafes.
  • Drive out to Yuba Lake for swimming, paddling, or just hanging out on the shore.
  • Fish from the bank or a small boat if you have one.
This is the kind of trip where you pack folding chairs, a cooler, and a good book. It’s simple, low-stress, and kid-friendly.

8. Fremont Indian State Park via I-15 Corridor – Ruins & Rock Art (Juab to Sevier Route)

Approx. drive: about 2 hours 30–45 minutes Primary out-of-county section: Juab County, Utah (then southward) If you don’t mind a slightly longer drive, heading south down I‑15 leads you from Tooele through Juab County and on toward one of Utah’s underrated stops: Fremont Indian State Park (in Sevier County, beyond the immediate list, but reached by crossing Juab). The park is known for its ancient rock art and ruins from the Fremont culture. On the way and at the park you can:
  • Stop in Nephi or other Juab County towns to break up the drive.
  • Visit the museum with artifacts and kid-friendly displays.
  • Take short trails to see petroglyphs up close.
It’s a nice choice if you enjoy history, archaeology, or just spotting something different from the usual mountain and lake scenery.

9. West Wendover & Nevada Desert Vibes (Elko County, NV)

Approx. drive: about 2 hours County: Elko County, Nevada If you head west on I‑80, you’ll cross out of Tooele County and eventually hit West Wendover, just over the border in Elko County, Nevada. This trip has a totally different feel from the Utah canyons and lakes. You’ll see the wide-open salt flats and then, suddenly, a cluster of neon-lit casinos in the middle of the desert. What you can do in and around Wendover:
  • Try your luck at the casinos if that’s your thing.
  • Eat at one of the buffets or steakhouses.
  • Drive out toward the Bonneville Salt Flats area (viewpoints and rest areas are along I‑80 on the Utah side before Elko County, so plan stops carefully).
I’ve made this drive a few times, and even if you’re not interested in gambling, that endless flat white landscape and distant mountains are worth seeing at least once.

10. Ely & Great Basin Gateway – Quiet Nevada Adventure (White Pine County, NV)

Approx. drive: about 3 hours 30–45 minutes County: White Pine County, Nevada If you’ve got a full day (or better yet, a weekend), consider heading to Ely in White Pine County, Nevada. It’s farther than the other trips, but it feels like a proper little adventure from Tooele. Ely has an old mining-town vibe, and it’s a good base for exploring the Nevada side of the high desert. Ideas for your trip:
  • Visit the Nevada Northern Railway Museum and ride a historic train if schedules line up.
  • Walk around downtown Ely to see murals and old buildings.
  • Use Ely as a launch point toward Great Basin National Park (a bit farther east, but one of the quietest, darkest national parks in the U.S.).
The drive itself can be peaceful—long stretches of open road, big skies, and that feeling you really are “out there” in the West.

Tips for Road Trips from Tooele

Before you jump in the car, a few quick reminders:
  • Check the weather – Mountain canyons and desert areas can change fast.
  • Gas up early – Some stretches, especially toward Nevada, don’t have many services.
  • Bring water and snacks – Handy for hikes, lakes, and remote areas.
  • Watch travel times – Evening rush hour near Salt Lake City and Davis/Weber counties can add extra minutes.
Planning just a little can turn a simple out-of-county drive into a really good day.

Ready to Plan Your Next Drive from Tooele?

Living in or visiting Tooele doesn’t mean you’re limited to just one town. In under a few hours, you can be:
  • On an island with bison in Davis County
  • In the heart of Utah’s capital city
  • Walking historic streets in Ogden
  • Sitting by a quiet lake in Juab County
  • Or rolling into Nevada desert towns in Elko or White Pine counties
If you’re looking for things to do near Tooele, Utah, these 10 short road trips are a great place to start. I’d love to hear from you: Have you tried any of these drives? Do you have a favorite out-of-county spot I missed? Share this post with friends or family who live in Tooele (or pass through often), and drop a comment with your own tips, stories, or questions. Your ideas help other travelers discover new places too.
Location: Georgetown, IN, USA

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