Sights & Attractions in Southwestern Utah

Southwestern Utah Sights

Southwestern Utah is remarkable in the range of activities and terrain it has to offer. On one summer day you can explore an arid desert canyon at Snow Canyon State Park, the next you can camp in a high-alpine aspen grove in Dixie National Forest and bundle up for warmth. In winter you can sample mountain biking (at Gooseberry Mesa near Hurricane) and skiing (at Brian Head Resort) on the same trip.

Getting around is usually straightforward. The region's biggest cities, Cedar City and St. George, spring up alongside I-15, the major north-south travel corridor to the west. Farther east, U.S. 89 is a more scenic north-south route with access to Bryce Canyon National Park, the east side of Zion National Park, and the Kanab area. Routes 14 and 9 are the major east-west connectors between the two main highways, with Route 9 being the primary access to Springdale and Zion National Park. However, be warned: if you need to travel between I-15 and U.S. 89 via Route 9 during the day, you must pay the $25 admission fee to Zion National Park even if you do not plan to stop and visit. Access to the massive and remote Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is via Route 12 to the north and U.S. 89 to the south.

In winter the primary access roads to Brian Head and Cedar Breaks National Monument are either closed occasionally for snow removal (Route 143 from the north and east) or closed for the season (Route 148 from the south). Call the Cedar City office of the Utah Department of Transportation at 435/865-5500 for current road conditions.

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