Looking for scenic mountain views, desert beauty, and small-town charm? Head to Tooele! Located just west of Salt Lake City, Tooele is a hidden gem with access to Great Salt Lake scenery, historic railroads, and off-road adventure. Whether you're exploring ghost towns or hiking mountain trails, Tooele is a gateway to Utah’s wild west and natural wonders.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Tooele is during the spring and fall (April–June and September–October). These seasons offer mild temperatures ideal for hiking, sightseeing, and outdoor events. Summers are warm and dry—great for desert adventures—while winters are quieter, with occasional snow and opportunities to explore nearby mountains.

How to Get There

  • By Car: Tooele is about 35 minutes southwest of Salt Lake City via I-80 and UT-36.
  • By Air: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the closest airport, offering national and international flights just 30 miles away.
  • By Bus: UTA (Utah Transit Authority) operates commuter buses between Tooele and Salt Lake City during weekdays.

Where to Stay

  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tooele – Comfortable and modern with breakfast, a fitness center, and pool.
  • Best Western Inn Tooele – Centrally located with friendly service and great amenities for families or business travelers.
  • Oquirrh Motor Inn – A simple, budget-friendly option for travelers passing through or staying short-term.

Must-see if you are a first-time visitor:

  • Tooele Valley Railroad Museum – Discover the region’s rail history with vintage engines and exhibits housed in a historic depot.
  • Great Salt Lake State Park – Just a short drive away, experience surreal landscapes, sunsets, and salty swimming.
  • Benson Grist Mill – A restored 19th-century pioneer mill offering historical tours and seasonal events.
  • Deseret Peak Complex – Large event space with rodeo grounds, sports fields, and an aquatic center in summer.
  • Oquirrh Mountains – Hike or drive scenic backroads for views of Tooele Valley and wildlife sightings.

Unique Attractions

⮕ Catch the Latest Flicks in Comfort at UEC Theater

Enjoy exciting movies in a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere.

Catch the Latest Flicks in Comfort at UEC Theater

© Rattanachai/stock.adobe.com

Tooele Cinema 6 opened around 2000 with six screens and 1,068 seats. It was owned and operated by Westates Theatres and for a while was the only cinema in town. Since it was taken over by UEC Theatre in 2016, it was renovated and expanded to nine screens. It is known for super comfortable seats that are well-angled, ensuring that each person has a perfect view. The concessions stand increased its offer and the movies shown are top of the line and recent hits. The theatres are available for private viewing, birthdays and events of all kinds.

1600 2000 N, Tooele, UT 84074, Phone: 435-843-5800

⮕ Float Your Stress Away at Crystal Water Float Spa

Relax and unwind in a soothing, stress-relieving float session.

Float Your Stress Away at Crystal Water Float Spa

© RZ Images/stock.adobe.com

Crystal Water Float Spa located in Tooele, Utah offers flotation therapy, a luxurious way to soothe the body from the constant daily stress. They have two DreamPod float pods in which clients float for 60 minutes. This newest health and pain management concept includes floating in a super saturated solution of Epsom salt and water. Floating frees a person from the sensation of gravity, temperature, touch, sight and sound, redirecting and conserving energy, decompressing the spine, introducing deep relaxation, lowering cortisol, calming the mind and relieving the body from pain. Crystal Water Float Spa also offers Halo therapy, dry salt therapy, traditional Chinese Fire Cupping, Hydro water massage and three-light spectrum infrared sauna.

40 W Vine St, Tooele, UT 84074, Phone: 435-882-1339

⮕ Tee Off with Mountain Views at Oquirrh Hills Golf Course

Play a scenic round surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.

Tee Off with Mountain Views at Oquirrh Hills Golf Course

© antpkr/stock.adobe.com

Oquirrh Hills is an 18-hole championship golf course located in the foothills of the Oquirrh Mountains near Tooele, Utah. This golf course with a mature layout offers some of the best views in the County. It was founded in 1949, allowing Tooele County residents high class golfing on a manicured, high quality greens. Oquirrh Hills Golf Course offers Junior Golf Instruction and Leagues, individual and group lessons to all levels of golfers, Ladies, Mens and Adam & Eve Leagues and it host numerous tournaments. It is the perfect 18-hole championship golf course for organizing a group play or tournaments, offering services such as pairing lists, scorecards, cart sheets, scoreboards, contest hole signs, etc.

1255 E Vine St, Tooele, UT 84074, Phone: 435-882-4220

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

⮕ Step Into Frontier Life at the Tooele Pioneer Museum

Explore unusual artifacts showcasing Tooele’s rich pioneer history.

Step Into Frontier Life at the Tooele Pioneer Museum

© Tooele Pioneer Museum

The Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum in Tooele, also called Pioneer City Hall, is a heritage museum located in the building originally constructed in 1867. The building was constructed using rocks taken from Settlement Canyon in Tooele County. The building was used at times for a courthouse, city hall, jail and amusement center until 1941. When the new city hall was completed, the building was given to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers for an amusement hall and a meeting place. It was later turned into a museum. On the property beside the museum is a Pioneer Log Cabin, built in 1855. The Tooele Pioneer Museum contains many pictures, histories, and artifacts from Tooele County.

47 E Vine St, Tooele, UT 84074, Phone: 435-830-9783

⮕ Ride in Style with DDA Executive Transportation

Ride in style with reliable, affordable executive transportation services.

Ride in Style with DDA Executive Transportation

© uinmine/stock.adobe.com

DDA Executive Transportation is a family owned transportation business in Tooele, Utah and a trusted source for executive transportation and tourism. They offer rides to and from the airport and all other transportation needs for visitors during their stay in Tooele. They offer easy online booking, experienced and licensed professional drivers with a thorough knowledge of the area, a large fleet of vehicles of all types and easy online payment. DDA also offers a selection of ten-day preselected tourist packages to Utah Wasatch, national parks, Yellowstone or any other destination of the client’s choice.

Phone: 385-201-3871

Where to Eat

  • American Burgers – Local favorite for burgers, fries, and shakes with fast service and generous portions.
  • Jimmie's Restaurant – Classic diner serving breakfast all day and comfort food favorites.
  • Bonneville Brewery – Craft beer and elevated pub fare in a modern-industrial setting with mountain views.
  • Vista Linda – Casual Mexican restaurant known for enchiladas, fajitas, and margaritas in a colorful space.

If you are interested in local events:

  • Tooele Arts Festival (June) – Celebrate local art, food, music, and culture in a community-friendly setting at the city park.
  • Bit N’ Spur Rodeo (July 4th Weekend) – Classic western rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing, and fireworks.
  • Tooele County Fair (August) – Livestock shows, carnival rides, food vendors, and fun for all ages.
  • Trunk or Treat on Main Street (October) – Family-friendly Halloween event with decorated vehicles, costumes, and candy giveaways.

If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes to 1 Hour of Tooele, Utah:

  • Bonneville Salt Flats (1 hr) – Explore this otherworldly landscape known for land-speed records and jaw-dropping sunsets.
  • Salt Lake City (35 min) – Visit Temple Square, the Natural History Museum, and vibrant city life just a short drive away.
  • Stansbury Island (30 min) – Hike scenic trails and view petroglyphs in this isolated desert landscape on the Great Salt Lake.
  • Grantsville (20 min) – See the Donner-Reed Museum and enjoy small-town charm and history.
  • Antelope Island State Park (1 hr) – Discover bison herds, mountain trails, and lake views on this beautiful island preserve.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Where is Tooele located?
    • Tooele is a city in Tooele County, Utah, about 30 minutes from Salt Lake City, at the foothills of the Oquirrh Mountains.
  • What is Tooele known for?
    • Tooele is known for the Tooele Army Depot and the Great Salt Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Where can visitors learn about Tooele’s history?
    • The Tooele Pioneer Museum is a great place to learn about the town’s history.
  • What is a notable historical landmark in Tooele?
    • The Tooele Carnegie Library was built in 1911.
  • When is the best time to visit Tooele?
    • The best time to visit Tooele is at the end of June, during the Tooele Arts Festival.

Plan Your Trip


Table of Contents: