Detail of rock formations during winter.

Southwestern Utah

Wonder at the deep-crimson canyons of Zion National Park; hike among the delicate pink-and-orange minarets at Bryce Canyon; drive past the swirling gray-white-and-purple mounds of Capitol Reef. Southwestern Utah is so spectacular that the vast majority of the territory has been preserved as national park or forest, state park or BLM wilderness. Rugged and remote Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument (GSENM) is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware put together, or at least it was before President Trump issued a proclamation in 2017 that reduced its size nearly in half. Nevertheless, the area remains ripe for outdoor exploration, with narrow slot canyons to shoulder through, pink sand dunes to scale and wavelike sandstone formations to seek out.

Transportation

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • HOODOS, PINNACLES AND SPORES, DIFFERENTIAL EROSION. LIMESTONE SEDIMENTARY ROCK. BRYCE CANYON, UTAH. BRYCE POINT

    Bryce Point

    Bryce Canyon National Park

    If you stop nowhere else along the scenic drive, be sure to catch the stunning views from Bryce Point. You can walk the rim above Bryce Amphitheater for…

  • Maynard Dixon Living History Museum

    Maynard Dixon Living History Museum

    Southwestern Utah

    In Mt Carmel, the Architectural Digest–noted Maynard Dixon Living History Museum is where renowned Western painter Maynard Dixon (1875–1946) lived and…

  • Zion National Park

    Zion National Park

    Southwestern Utah

    A bold desert beauty, this 230-sq-mile park is a highlight of southern Utah. Hikes range from trails traipsing the ridge lines to river wading under steep…

  • Walking the Bryce Canyon Trail.

    Bryce Canyon National Park

    Southwestern Utah

    The Grand Staircase – a series of steplike uplifted rock layers stretching north from the Grand Canyon – dramatically culminates in the Pink Cliffs…

  • Cedar Breaks National Monument

    Cedar Breaks National Monument

    Southwestern Utah

    Sculpted cliffs and towering hoodoos glow like neon tie-dye in a wildly eroded natural amphitheater encompassed by Cedar Breaks National Monument. The…

  • The Castle, Capitol Reef National Park.

    Capitol Reef National Park

    Southwestern Utah

    Termed 'the land of the sleeping rainbow' by Native Americans, this colorful desert landscape encompasses buttes and canyons replete with rock art, Mormon…

  • Fruita Rural Historic District

    Fruita Rural Historic District

    Southwestern Utah

    Fruita (froo-tuh) is a cool, green oasis, where shade-giving cottonwoods and fruit-bearing trees line the Fremont River's banks. The first Mormon…

View more attractions
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Southwestern-Utah",
  "region": "Americas",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "country": "The-USA"
}

Articles

Latest stories from Southwestern Utah

Filter by interest:

Hiking

Copy My Trip: Glamping and hiking at Utah’s Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks

Aug 15, 2023 • 6 min read

Read more articles

Go Beyond

Southwestern Utah and beyond

Beyond Southwestern Utah
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Southwestern-Utah",
  "region": "Americas",
  "continent": "North-America",
  "country": "The-USA"
}