Brian Head is the ultimate destination for travelers in Southwestern Utah. With a convenient location on the edge of the Dixie National Forest, this is the ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts. Winters bring 360 inches of snow annually, creating the state’s best skiing and snowboarding conditions. Brian Head is Utah’s southernmost ski resort city, and also features the highest base altitude of 9,600 feet. Summer opens opportunities for hiking and mountain biking on the over 200 miles of local trails. The city’s proximity to parks and national monuments grants visitors easy access to some of the state's top outdoor recreational areas.
Zion National Park offers an abstract landscape that was carved out by the Virgin River over millions of years. Visitors will encounter dramatic natural features including sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, mountain ridges, waterfalls, and more. The 229 square mile park was the first National Park created in the state of Utah, and its variety of trails make Zion an ideal spot for backpackers, hikers, and mountain bikers of all skill levels. Beginners can start with options like the Pa’rus Trail while more experienced adventurers may start on the Hidden Canyon Trail. The park is also ideal for camping, with several areas featuring various scenic backdrops. When the sun goes down, the night sky comes alive with a staggering amount of stars.
Bryce Canyon National Park is a one-of-a-kind park in southwestern Utah, home to the world's largest concentration of hoodoos. These hoodoos are pillars of rock formed by the freeze/thaw cycle eroding the limestone rock. Some of the park's most recognizable landmarks are hoodoos including Thor's Hammer, The Hunter, and Queen Victoria. Bryce Canyon also contains multiple forests teeming with a variety of wildlife from short-horned lizards to elk. During the winter months, this is the ideal location for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Warmer months are a prime time for hiking and camping, and hikers can choose from short loops or challenging multi-day treks.
Dixie National Forest is the largest forest in the state, covering roughly two million acres across Southern Utah, between the Colorado River and the Great Basin. It ranges in elevation from 2,800 feet at the town of St. George to over 11,000 feet at the top of Boulder Mountain. The forest is split up into four separate geographical areas including Markagunt, Paunsaugunt, Aquarius Plateaus, and Boulder Mountain. One of the main geographical features of the park is Red Canyon, which features red, white, and orange colored rock formations that rival the beauty of the natural rock features of Bryce Canyon. Every trip to the forest should include a drive on Scenic Byway 12, which crosses in and out of the forest and highlights three separate ranger districts.