Snowville, Utah
A small farming town in the Curlew Valley, just south of the Idaho border on I-84. Snowville is the last stop for fuel and food before Utah's remote West Desert, and a welcome break for road trippers headed north or west.
Quick Facts
Founded
Population
Known For
Utah's Outback
Snowville sits in the wide, open Curlew Valley, where farms and ranches stretch toward low mountains in every direction. The town calls itself "Utah's Outback," and it fits. Just west of town, Highway 30 heads into some of the most remote country in Utah, with no services for miles.
That makes Snowville an important stop. Travelers on I-84 pull off for fuel, food and a stretch, and anyone heading west to Devil's Playground, the Raft River Mountains or the old transcontinental railroad grade fills up here first.
Snowville is the jumping-off point for Box Elder County's wildest backcountry.
Devil's Playground
Follow Highway 30 west to Devil's Playground, a remote field of granite spires, arches and boulders reached by dirt road.
Transcontinental Railroad Backcountry Byway
Explore the old Central Pacific railroad grade on a remote gravel route past trestles, ghost town sites and interpretive markers. See our scenic drives page.
Sun Tunnels
Continue to the far west of the county to see Nancy Holt's Sun Tunnels, a land art landmark in the open desert near Lucin.
Brigham City
Head down I-84 and I-15 to Brigham City for dining, lodging and the historic Main Street.
Stay in Snowville
Snowville has a small inn and an RV park right off the interstate, a convenient overnight stop before or after a West Desert adventure.
Black Pine Inn
Dining in Snowville
Grab a quick bite in Snowville before hitting the road. For more options, Tremonton is about 40 minutes southeast.
A&W Snowville
Things to Do
in Snowville
FUEL UP FOR THE WEST DESERT
Snowville is the last full-service stop before the long, empty stretches of Highway 30. Fill your tank, grab water and snacks, and check your spare tire.
VISIT THE PIONEER MARKER
In Snowville's town park, a Daughters of Utah Pioneers marker and the Curlew Valley settler's bell tell the story of the valley's first settlers.
EXPLORE THE BACKCOUNTRY
Ride designated OHV routes or explore remote dirt roads in the West Desert. See our OHV & off-roading page for maps and rules.
WATCH FOR WILDLIFE
The Curlew Valley is named for the long-billed curlew, a large shorebird that nests in the area's grasslands each spring.
A Bit of History
Snowville was first settled in 1871 under the direction of Brigham Young and named in honor of Lorenzo Snow, then a church apostle and later its president. Despite the wintry name, the town wasn't named for the weather.
The townsite was laid out on August 14, 1876, making Snowville the first townsite in the Curlew Valley, which stretches north into Idaho. The town grew as a farming and ranching community and was incorporated in 1933. Today, it's one of Utah's smallest towns, with a population of about 160.
Before You Go
Getting here
Snowville is at Exit 7 on I-84, just south of the Idaho border and about an hour northwest of Brigham City.
PLAN FOR REMOTE TRAVEL
West of Snowville, services are few and far between. Carry extra fuel, water and a spare tire.
WINTER TRAVEL
Wind and snow can close I-84 near the Idaho border in winter. Check road conditions before you go.
DINING NEARBY
Snowville has limited dining options. Tremonton is about 40 minutes southeast for more choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Visit to Snowville
Stop in Snowville to fuel up, grab a bite and take in the wide-open Curlew Valley before heading west into Utah's outback.