Helper is named for the extra engines historically required to help trains up the steep mountain grade to Soldier Summit. The town sits below sandstone cliffs and gray shales of ancient Cretaceous seas, carved by time, water, and wind. History and the present intertwine in Helper, which was once a central hub for many coal mining towns. These vanished towns can be explored in the canyons and mountain country that surround Helper, along with echoes from the further past, such as Native rock art and Paleolithic sites as found in nearby Nine Mile Canyon. The Helper Riverwalk and Spring Canyon Trail offer paved walkways to explore diverse natural habitats, from the river to high desert, while downtown blossoms with art galleries, museums, and small shops. Restored buildings provide photographic backdrops and shady parks provide an oasis of shade.