Plan the Ultimate Southern Utah Road Trip
Take in the sights of southern Utah on an unforgettable road trip with friends or family this year. With its beautiful desert scenery, stunning backroads and multiple national parks, the 45th state is unlike any other destination in the U.S. Before you gas up the car, it’s important to map out your journey. To help you start planning, we’ve come up with some of the top spots to visit (and stay) for the ultimate southern Utah road trip.
Starting Point: St. George, Utah
Stop #1: Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
With rave reviews on TripAdvisor, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area is the perfect place to stop and take a quick hike at the onset of your road trip. The conservation area's 130 miles of non-motorized trails provide world-class recreational opportunities. Red Cliffs also contains crucial habitat for the threatened Mojave Desert tortoise and other at-risk native plant and animal species.
Stop #2: Zion National Park
Steep red rock cliffs, breathtaking waterfalls and hanging gardens make Zion one of America’s Top 10 most visited National Parks. The popular Emerald Pools Trail and Weeping Rock offer two easy day hikes, while Zion Canyon Scenic Drive is a perfect way to see the sights without the sun and strain of walking.
Stop #3: Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
On your way to Kanab, make a pit-stop at Coral Park Sand Dunes State Park for rare sights. The park features coral-hued sand dunes located beside red sandstone cliffs. Enjoy a day of hiking, off-road vehicle driving, photography or sightseeing around 3,700 acres of land.
Stop #4: Parry Lodge
Unwind after a long day of sightseeing at the historic Parry Lodge, conveniently located near several of southern Utah’s national parks. Known as Utah’s Little Hollywood, the Lodge was founded by a band of brothers in 1931 and has hosted some of the biggest names from the golden age of Hollywood!
Stop #5: Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is a series of natural amphitheaters sunk into pink cliffs and filled with delicate red rock "hoodoos." The most brilliant hues of the park come alive with the rising and setting of the sun. Summertime offers a plethora of walking/hiking trails and a 37-mile scenic drive overlooking incredible red and orange sandstone vistas. Bryce Canyon Lodge, a national historic landmark, is open here April through November.
Stop #6: Cedar Breaks National Monument
Our final stop of the road trip, Cedar Breaks National Monument offers spectacular sightseeing opportunities overlooking a giant “amphitheater” of red rock formations. Sitting at 10,000 feet, visitors can look down on the coliseum of colors, stone spires, arches, pinnacles, and canyons that drop 2,000 feet. We couldn’t think of a better backdrop for your next Instagram pic!
Ending Point: St. George, Utah
From beginning to end, we promise your southern Utah road trip will be one for the memory books! Interested in reserving lodging ahead of time? Contact Forever Resorts at 1-877-386-4383 for information or reservations.
