Seeing green in Springville

Trees are in no short supply in Springville, Utah, said to be home to more than 100 species of them.

But green isn’t the only color you’ll see in this pretty little town an hour south of Salt Lake City. You be the judge of which is most impressive: the colors blooming on trees or in the paintings that hang inside the Springville Museum of Art.

This month, catch the blockbuster Wayne Thiebaud pop-art exhibit, then step outside for a country stroll past blossoming crabapple trees, new lilacs, and lots of trees.

GETTING THERE

From Salt Lake City, head 50 miles south along I-15, then take exit 260 east and follow it downtown.

GO

Springville Museum of Art The Spanish-Moroccan-style structure holds more art by Utah artists than any other Utah museum and currently features paintings by Thiebaud, who spent part of his childhood north of St. George, Utah. (Thiebaud is a true Westerner, raised in Long Beach, California, and now living in Sacramento.) INFO: Closed Mon; free; 126 East 400 South; 801/489-2727.

Wardsworth Creek Trail The smell of pines and the rush of a stream make the moderate Wardsworth Creek Trail up Hobble Creek Canyon a treat. Follow it along the creek about 3 miles to a waterfall that cascades over red rocks. INFO: Drive 7.1 miles up Right Fork Hobble Creek Rd. in the Uinta National Forest (southeast of Springville); the trail begins where the pavement ends; 801/798-3571.EAT

Ginger’s Garden Cafe Stop in for salad made with local berries, or a slice of super-healthy pizza on flaxseed crust. INFO: $; closed Sun; in Dr. Christopher’s Herb Shop, 188 S. Main St.; 801/489-4500.

Art City Trolley Restaurant At this cafe attached to a once-abandoned 1931 trolley car, get the best fries in town (they’re fresh-cut and come by “one potato, two, or three”). INFO: $; closed Sun; 256 N. Main; 801/489-8585.

SHOP

Diamond’s Greenhouse Buy some spring color to go. Or choose from 15 varieties of tomatoes to plant now. INFO: Closed Sun; 643 Houtz Ave.; 801/489-5561.

TAKE A WALK IN THE PARK

See for yourself why Springville is on the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA registry on a walk in Spring Creek Park (475 East 600 North; 801/489-2770), home to about 30 species such as fir, lilac, linden, and swamp white oak.

STAY OVERNIGHT

For the perfect finale after a day among trees and blooms, drive 25 miles north to Provo Canyon for a night at Robert Redford’s Sundance Resort (from $250, including breakfast; 801/225-4107), set in the forest and surrounded by hiking trails. The cabins and suites have rough-hewn wood, handwoven Native American rugs, and stone fireplaces.