Cove Fort
History of Cove Fort
During its heydey (the two decades after it was built), the Gilmer Salisbury Stagecoach line stopped at Cove Fort twice a day, and as many as 75 people would stay and eat at the fort at one time. Serving as an important regional communications hub, there was also a telegraph office.
In 1890 the Church leased the fort out, and in 1911 sold it to the William H. Kesler family who owned it until 1988 when it was purchased by descendants of Ira and Arza Hinckley. Arza was Ira’s brother who helped to build the fort and actually ran it for five years after Ira was called as a stake president for the LDS church.
On May 21, 1994, First Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gordon B. Hinckley, dedicated the Historic Cove Fort Complex.
Visiting the unique stone structure is like taking a trip back in time. Standing at 100 feet by 100 feet, Cove Fort has 12 rooms to explore. Each room has been restored to reclaim the look and feel from its first decade of use, and are fully decorated with authentic furnishings and artifacts.
Cove Fort has more than 70,000 visitors annually, and is one of only three forts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Visiting the unique stone structure is like taking a trip back in time. Standing at 100 feet by 100 feet, Cove Fort has 12 rooms to explore. Each room has been restored to reclaim the look and feel from its first decade of use, and are fully decorated with authentic furnishings and artifacts.
When you arrive and enter, there is a short movie on the history of the fort you can watch in the Hinckley Cabin or in the theater. After watching the video, seek out a missionary/guide to get the full history of the fort and the family that lived there. You can visit the rooms and the inner courtyard on your own, but you’ll miss some really good stories if you don’t go through with a guide. They'll also show you the outbuildings: a blacksmith shop, ice house, bunkhouse, barn and more. Enjoy lunch or a snack in the shaded picnic area. It makes for an excellent place to simply stretch your legs and take a break as you reach the intersection of I-70 and I-15 in Beaver County, also known as Ramblers (Read: “Ramble On: An Insider's Guide to Beaver County”).
Grand Adventure in the Great Basin
In this five-day itinerary you won’t find many crowds. But take your time and you’ll find this desert geography isn’t so empty after all.
Highlights
- Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum
- Pahvant Valley Heritage Trail
- Topaz Incarceration Camp and Museum
- Sinbad Road / Hermit Cabin
- Great Basin National Park
- Cove Fort
What's Nearby
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Eagle Point
Escape the crowds and enjoy an intimate, family-friendly skiing experience on Utah’s third-highest mountain range at Eagle Point Resort in Beaver, Utah.
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Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum
Get a feel for what life was like for those early pioneers establishing Utah. There are tons of interesting artifacts, and you can take it in at your own pace. The knowledgeable staff is happy to field your questions and engage your kids’ curiosity.
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Frisco: West Desert Ghost Town
Standing in the Basin and Range topography of Utah's West Desert at ghost town Frisco, you'll feel the solitude of the space
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Great Basin National Heritage Area
If you like the sound of ghost towns, wild horses, rockhounding for ancient fossils and remote hot springs — this is the area for you.
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Mineral Mountains
From rockhounding to rock climbing, spectacular outdoor adventures await in Utah’s Mineral Mountains. Located just west of Beaver in Southern Utah, you can’t see these pristine peaks from the interstate. But it’s worth venturing beyond the basic east side views to explore these hidden gems. Thanks to great accessibility and high-quality dirt roads, it’s easier to reach these mini Sierra-style peaks than you might think.
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The Creamery
In 1952, a deep-rooted dairy legacy was created in Beaver when local farmers built a cheese plant. Today that legacy is showcased within The Creamery retail store. Fellow dairy lovers are invited to enjoy products ranging from cheese curds, specialty cheeses, ice cream and more — all made fresh in Beaver with milk from neighboring family farms.
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Meadow Hot Springs
Meadow Hot Springs is a favorite spot for a relaxing soak in one of three pools. The first hovers around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the two other pools located just a bit further down the path are shallower and cooler. Located on private land in a farmer’s field, people are welcome to visit while following posted rules, like wear a swimsuit and don’t bring alcohol.
