Utah’s Quirky Roadside Attractions Add Charm To Desert Drives

Utah is known for its dramatic red rock landscapes, national parks, and wide-open desert highways. But tucked among those scenic drives are some truly unusual roadside attractions that capture the imagination and break up a long trip.

Perhaps the most famous is the Tree of Utah, also known as Metaphor: The Tree of Utah, standing tall along I-80 near Wendover. Created in the 1980s by Swedish artist Karl Momen, the 87-foot concrete sculpture rises unexpectedly from the Bonneville Salt Flats. Its giant spheres, inlaid with Utah stone and minerals, are said to represent fruit on a tree, with pods at the base symbolizing fallen pieces. Though opinions are mixed—some admire it as a bold artistic vision while others dismiss it as an oddity—it has become an iconic marker on an otherwise stark highway.

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Travelers can also find playful landmarks scattered throughout the state. Moab boasts the well-known Hole N” The Rock, a 5,000-square-foot home carved into sandstone cliffs that now doubles as a museum and roadside zoo. Vernal welcomes visitors with its towering pink dinosaur, a nod to the region’s fossil-rich heritage. In Green River, a giant concrete watermelon slice celebrates the town’s famous melons. Each stop carries a bit of local pride, whimsy, and history.

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But closer to home in Iron County, there’s one roadside attraction that embodies small-town quirkiness: the Shoe Tree in Cedar Canyon. Just off Highway 14, this tall tree has become a community canvas, its branches heavy with sneakers, boots, and sandals tossed there over the years. Its exact origin is a mystery—some credit college students, others campers—but the tradition has endured. When storms or vandalism have taken their toll, locals simply adopt a nearby tree and carry on.

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The Shoe Tree may not tower like the sculpture near Wendover or come with a gift shop, but it stands as a symbol of playful creativity. For travelers winding through the canyon, it’s a reminder that not every Utah landmark is carved by wind or water—sometimes they’re built one pair of shoes at a time.