During popular tourist seasons, the population of St. George, Utah blooms by over 30 percent as visitors from around the world flock to this unique and beautiful destination.
Drawn by a variety of attractions, including parks, museums, and cultural attractions, the city truly has something for everyone. Plus, its central location makes it an ideal basecamp for visitors looking to explore more of what the rest of Southern Utah has to offer.
Thinking about planning your next stay at a St. George vacation rental? Keep reading to learn a little more about this unique and beautiful destination.
Getting to St. George
One of the things that make St. George such a popular destination is its ideal location. It’s far enough away from major cities and travel hubs to make it the perfect escape, but still close enough to make travel a breeze. While you can fly into St. George directly, Las Vegas is just a two-hour drive away. Salt Lake City is only 4 hours by car.
Why St. George is the Ideal Basecamp for Your Next Vacation
Besides being easy to get to, St. George is also situated in a location that makes it easy to explore a variety of unique landscapes.
Located in Southern Utah, it’s perfectly situated where three different geographic features come together. To the southwest, on the edge of Arizona and California, is the Mojave Desert. The Colorado Plateau borders St. George, stretching into New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. And in nearby Nevada is the Great Basin.
St. George is the perfect basecamp for exploring all three unique natural destinations.
Interested in hitting the slopes this winter? Brian Head Resort is less than an hour and a half away. Or, plan a side trip to Southern Utah while visiting Park City, which is under 5 hours by car to the north.
Things to Do in St. George, Utah
While there’s plenty of things to see and do within a short drive of St. George, there’s also no shortage of attractions closer to the city. If you’re staying in a St. George vacation rental, you’ll find plenty of hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities, as well as plenty of indoor ones, to choose from during your visit.
Exploring St. George’s Beautiful Outdoor Spaces
Perhaps the most famous outdoor landmark St. George is known for is Zion National Park. While the main entrance to the park is located in Springdale, Utah, St. George is a popular basecamp for visitors to the park looking for vacation rentals and other amenities during their stay. Whether you want to visit the Zion Lodge and visitor center and maybe take an easy hike along Pa’rus Trail or are planning a trek through The Narrows or to the peak of Angels Landing, Zion has something for every visitor.
While not as well known as Zion, Bryce Canyon is another national park located in Southern Utah. About 140 miles away from St. George, the park is known for its towering rock formations, called hoodoos, that look like precariously stacked towers of rock. The natural amphitheater is a focal point of the park. Visit in the summer or fall for some beautiful hiking, or travel here in the winter to try your hand at snowmobiling or cross country skiing.
If you’re up for a day trip, and not visiting in the middle of winter, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is just under 3 hours away. This rim sees far fewer crowds than the popular South Rim, but equally stunning views. This entrance to Grand Canyon National Park does close due to snow during the winter months.
While the region’s national parks may draw visitors from around the world, its many state parks offer similar natural features, as well as some unique outdoor activities, like boating, off-roading, and even sandboarding. Coral Pink Sand Dunes is a short drive away from St. George and is home to some stunning sand dunes where you can hike or ride off-road vehicles. Quail Creek State Park’s reservoir is a popular destination for fishing and boating.
St. George’s Other Attractions
Want to break up your hiking and sightseeing with some other activities? St. George has something to offer every traveler.
One thing the city is known for is its stunning golf courses. Grab a tee time at St. George Golf Club or Coral Canyon Golf, where you’ll have stunning views of red rock mountains in the distance while you practice your drive.
Stroll through art galleries filled with works by local artists, many inspired by the region’s natural landscapes. Coyote Gulch Art Village and the St. George Art Museum are both great spots to take in some culture and get out of the sun on a hot summer day.
The Tuacahn Amphitheatre draws Broadway shows and world-class concerts to the area and is set in its own stunning red rock backdrop.
For a dose of history about the region, a visit to the St. George Dinosaur Discover Site or the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum is a great way to spend the day.
Planning Your Next Visit to St. George
Whether you’re visiting the region for some incredible hiking, sightseeing, or for cultural attractions like art galleries and museums, St. George has something for every traveler. And when you stay in a St. George vacation rental, you guarantee that you’ll be in the middle of the action, with space to get away and relax in between day trips and adventures.
Ready to start planning your next — or first — visit to St. George? Book your stay at The Dwellings today for a luxury tiny home experience you won’t find anywhere else!