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Major city · United States

SterlingSterling, Utah

Skip Sterling as a destination: it's a 5-minute drive-through on US-89 between Manti and Gunnison. Use it only for Palisade State Park camping or a quick ATV rental.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Sterling is a tiny pioneer settlement (pop. 274) on US-89 in central Utah, 2 hours south of Salt Lake City. It has two small stores, a handful of pioneer adobe houses, and serves as the gateway to Palisade State Park (golf, fishing, swimming, camping) and the Arapeen ATV Trail System. Most travellers pass through without stopping; the park is the only reason to turn off the highway.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Dec–Feb (cold, park facilities limited)
Airport
SLC
Nights
0

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Sterling: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sterling911 ▾
  • Police, Fire, Ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Sterling, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Budget bedMotel in Manti (e.g. Manti Motel), a night, per roomUS$60
  • Mid-range bedPalisade State Park cabin, a night, per roomUS$80
  • High-end bedPalisade State Park cabin, a night, per roomUS$120

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$40 · Mid US$100 · High US$200

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Palisade State ParkArapeen ATV Trail SystemPioneer adobe housesThomas Grocery (community store)
Airports
SLC Salt Lake City International (About 2 hours north via I-15 and US-89; the nearest major airport.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  5. May

    Best

    22°C (72°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    19°C (66°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    4°C (39°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F) low), wettest Mar (9 rain days), driest Jun (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Sterling: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

3°C (37°F)

−8°C (18°F)

7 rd

Feb

6°C (43°F)

−6°C (21°F)

7 rd

Mar

12°C (54°F)

−2°C (28°F)

9 rd

Apr

17°C (63°F)

2°C (36°F)

9 rd

May

22°C (72°F)

7°C (45°F)

8 rd

Jun

28°C (82°F)

12°C (54°F)

5 rd

Jul

32°C (90°F)

16°C (61°F)

6 rd

Aug

31°C (88°F)

15°C (59°F)

7 rd

Sep

26°C (79°F)

10°C (50°F)

6 rd

Oct

19°C (66°F)

4°C (39°F)

7 rd

Nov

11°C (52°F)

−2°C (28°F)

7 rd

Dec

4°C (39°F)

−7°C (19°F)

7 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

You need a car. US-89 runs through town; the state park is 2 miles west on Palisade Road. No public transport.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Mantigo

Door to door: 10 min

US-89 north, 6 miles, 10 min

Manti Temple, historic downtown, and the Manti Pageant (summer).

Gunnison

go

Door to door: 12 min

US-89 south, 8 miles, 12 min

Small town with a grocery store and a few eateries.

Richfieldgo

Door to door: 30 min

US-89 south, 25 miles, 30 min

Larger town with hotels, restaurants, and a Walmart.

Nephigo

Door to door: 35 min

US-89 north then UT-132 west, 30 miles, 35 min

I-15 junction; gas, fast food, and a rest stop.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Palisade State Park

Camping and cabins; the only accommodation in Sterling itself.

Manti

6 miles north; more lodging options, including motels and B&Bs.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$30–50 (camping, self-catering)
Mid
$80–120 (motel in Manti, park fees, meals)

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel in Manti (e.g. Manti Motel)1 × 1 night × US$90US$90
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$100US$200
Palisade State Park day-use fee (per vehicle)1 × US$10 · checkUS$10
ATV rental (half-day, from Skyline Recreation)2 × US$150 · checkUS$300
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$60
Trip total≈ US$330 per person per day, bed includedUS$660

check

2026 estimate in USD; car rental and fuel excluded.

Prices of common things

Palisade State Park day-use feecheck$10 per vehicle
ATV rental (half-day)check$150–200
Hole-In-One Grill burgercheck$8–12
Gas (regular, per gallon)check$3.50–4.50

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Sterling is very safe. The main risk is wildlife on the road at dusk and summer heat at the park. No crime concerns.
  • No gas station in Sterling; fill up in Manti or Gunnison.
  • Palisade State Park charges a day-use fee (check current rate).
  • ATV rentals require a valid driver's licence and helmet; book ahead in summer.

Emergency numbers

Police, Fire, Ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

SterlingSterling, Utah

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, Fire, Ambulance911

Embassy

The nearest US embassy is in Salt Lake City (check address).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Salt Lake City to Sterling (car, 2 h): about $15–20 in gas (check)
  • Palisade State Park day-use: $10 per vehicle (check)

Say or show

  • Hello — Hello (hello)
  • Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
  • How much? — How much? (how much)
  • Where is the park? — Where is the park? (where is the park)

Sterling is a very small town; most services are in Manti or Gunnison.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sterling. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, park facilities limited) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 2 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Sterling

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