Parowan offers several specific starting points for a trip: the history of Old Rock Church, the historic streetscape of Main Street, disc golf in Parowan Canyon, and cycling at Parowan Gap. The options range from local history to clearly defined activities. Food is also part of the picture: the Sweet Tour visits local businesses, each with its own version of cinnamon rolls.
Old Rock Church and Local History
Construction of Old Rock Church began in 1863 near the center of Parowan’s original fort boundaries. The church was built from locally sourced stone, and construction took 13 years. Both the start of construction and the materials and duration are part of the building’s history. The location places the church near the center of the original fort boundaries, while the stone and construction period describe how it was built.
Proceeds from the Parowan Old Rock Church Days go toward preserving and renovating the historic Old Rock Church. The program includes demonstrations of pioneer skills such as sawing wood and shoeing horses. The celebration held on June 21 and 22, 2024, also included pioneer activities and competitive games on Saturday morning—a specific, dated example of activities featured in previous years.
Many original homes and commercial buildings still line downtown Parowan and tree-lined Main Street. The town’s historic character extends beyond the church: homes and businesses add further traces in the streetscape to the building’s history.
The Parowan Visitor Center is housed in a former bank building and displays, among other things, an antique desk and a vault. A park at the south end of Main Street represents the community’s rich heritage. These offer distinct connections: objects in the former bank building and a representation of the community’s heritage in the park.
Disc Golf and Cycling
An 18-hole disc golf course is located in Parowan Canyon, about one mile southeast of Parowan on SR-143. It is one of four courses in Iron County. The cycling route at Parowan Gap is paved and listed as a 22-mile out-and-back ride. The activities can be distinguished by different features: the number of holes for disc golf and the total distance for both directions for cycling.
Cinnamon Rolls as a Culinary Highlight
The Sweet Tour in Parowan visits local businesses, each of which puts its own spin on the cinnamon roll. The shared pastry ties the tour together, while each business’s take offers its own distinctive touch. So the focus is not just on a single cinnamon roll, but on a recurring culinary theme found at several local businesses.
Plan Your Travel Dates and Accommodation
The Parowan Old Rock Church Days is an annual celebration. If you’re planning to travel specifically for the event, check that year’s dates before booking a hotel.
Discover more destinations: Cedar City, Brian Head.
Go to the broader travel overview: Iron.
