Just two hours by desert highway north of the glittering lights of Las Vegas lies one of the most beautiful and distinctive regions of the United States. Home to Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef national parks as well as the vast and stunning wilderness of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, this outdoor mecca is anchored by the fast-growing city of St. George, which is itself surrounded by shimmering white and red sandstone and blackened lava formations.

Elsewhere in the region you'll find small recreational base communities—such as Cedar City, Kanab, Escalante, and Torrey—all of which offer plenty of charms, from hip coffeehouses and fine art galleries to breathtaking scenic drives and rugged hikes.

Southwestern Utah is a landscape of both adrenaline thrills and peaceful relaxation—head for one of the swanky spas in St. George for the ultimate rejuvenating getaway. Seasonal fare, like the renowned Utah Shakespeare Festival, and a growing number of noteworthy dining options and one-of-a-kind lodgings make this a region worth slowing down and spending time to discover. You'll find southern Utah's best alpine skiing in Brian Head and opportunities for mountain biking, horseback trail rides, jeep tours, and wildlife viewing throughout the region, and in St. George you'll also find a clutch of renowned golf courses. As you venture to some of the more remote sections of the area, visiting canyons and mesas rich with Native American history and where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid once roamed, it's easy to feel as though you've traveled back in time. And at night, when the dark alpine sky pulses with stars, you can almost imagine you're on another planet.