Beaver is small but growing with lots of outdoor recreation
Beaver is a relatively rural town on Interstate 15 with expansive views of the Tushar Mountains in the distance. “It’s kind of a smaller community,” says Bergen Holt, a Beaver resident for over 5 years and a real estate agent at ERA Brokers Consolidated. “But there is some new job growth coming in with manufacturing. It’s bringing more people to Beaver.” As the town has grown, it’s maintained a peace and quiet with proximity to hiking and outdoor recreation in the surrounding landscapes. Though shopping is more limited compared to larger towns in the area, like nearby Cedar City, small businesses along Main Street and the interstate are present.
Nearby restaurants are located on Main Street and off Interstate 15
A few locally owned restaurants line Main Street, like Mel’s Drive Inn, which serves burgers and fries. More restaurants are located off I-15, including Timberline Restaurant, which specializes in upscale American fare. The Creamery sells high-quality cheese and ice cream, made in-house, at the Dairy Farmers of America Manufacturing Plant. Mike’s Town Foods is the main grocery store in town. Locals tend to drive to Cedar City for larger chain stores.
Interstate 15 connects Beaver to Cedar City
I-15 borders Beaver on the west side, connecting locals to Cedar City over 50 miles away. Though there isn’t any public transit, the St. George’s Shuttle and Salt Lake Express, two commercial bus services, have intercity routes that stop in Beaver.
The Beaver Valley Hospital serves the community, and Cedar City Regional Airport is about 55 miles away.
Growing housing inventory with many empty lots available
Ranch-style homes and cottages are the most common architecture in the area, though bi-levels and some Pueblo Revival-style houses are also scattered throughout. Since the area often experiences moderate to severe droughts, not all properties have grass lawns. Parcels mostly span over a quarter-acre, and prices generally range from $200,000 to $750,000, though rare multiacre properties can sell for as much as $880,000.
The community was founded in the late 19th century, and residential development has steadily continued each decade since the 1930s. Recent area job growth has supported more new construction in the last several years, with empty lots ranging from $30,000 to $480,000 for up to 19 acres.
Local parks plus camping, hiking, hunting in the mountains
Pioneer Park has multiple playgrounds and a baseball field, and Main Street Park is home to more playgrounds with a central location. Several campgrounds surround the town, including a KOA location. Beaver is bordered to the east by the Tushar Mountains and the Fishlake National Forest, a nature reserve with over 3,000 miles of multiuse trails. The forest is full of dense pine and juniper trees, dotted with dozens of lakes and ponds, which makes it a popular area for fishing, hunting and birdwatching.
Residents come together for annual Pioneer Day Celebration
Beaver hosts an annual Pioneer Day Celebration on July 24th, commemorating the day pioneer settlers first reached Utah. “People come from all over,” Holt says. “There’s horse races, a rodeo and a big parade on Main Street with games and things at the park.”
Beaver County schools score in the A and B range
Belknap Elementary earns an A-minus grade from Niche. Starting in seventh grade, students attend the B-rated Beaver High, which offers a wide range of athletic programs, including cheerleading, basketball and golf.
