Orderville offers local history closely connected to the United Order, along with excursions related to canyons, events, and regional collecting sites. When planning your trip, it’s worth considering these themes separately: history, event venues, and nature excursions each raise different questions about the time available.
The History of the United Order
Orderville was founded in 1875 under the leadership of President Brigham Young as a United Order settlement and operated under the United Order of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Order thus shaped both the context in which the settlement was founded and how it operated. The United Order in Orderville was notable for its success and longevity. The town’s history therefore extends beyond a single founding date: its founding, religious context, and operation form a single historical theme.
The Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum preserves the distinctive history of Orderville’s Mormon settlers and is located on Box Canyon Road. If you’re planning a visit, confirm current visitor arrangements before you travel. The United Order was also a theme at Orderville Soup Town Days 2025: the program for that year included a related exhibition.
Livestock Shows, Rodeos, and the Kane County Fair
Since the mid-20th century, Carroll Arena has been an important venue for livestock shows and rodeos. The Kane County Fairgrounds serve as the main venue for the annual Kane County Fair, a tradition dating back to 1948. These represent distinct event connections: the livestock shows and rodeos at Carroll Arena, and the annual county fair at the fairgrounds.
Canyons: Time and Requirements
While hiking in nearby Orderville Gulch, steep rock cliffs rise high above the trail and canyon. The out-and-back hike from the upstream Orderville Gulch Trailhead typically takes about four to six hours. This timeframe gives you a useful reference point for planning the round trip.
Orderville Canyon is associated with experienced visitors who are skilled at navigating in the backcountry, swimming, and tackling short rappels. On the hike through The Narrows, Orderville Canyon enters as a tributary about two miles from the start. The two canyon experiences therefore call for different planning: for the Gulch hike, the approximate duration is a key reference point; for Orderville Canyon, experience and the activities mentioned are the main considerations.
Geological Collecting Sites
Geology is also part of the regional picture. Septarian nodules and other geocache finds can be found in and around Orderville; the Muddy Creek Area in Kane County is listed as a site for septarian nodules. If you plan to visit such a place or collect there, check access and collecting permissions in advance.
Discover more destinations: Duck Creek Village, Kanab, Big Water.
For the broader travel overview: Kane County.
