Getting to know St. George
Nestled in the southwestern corner of Utah on the Arizona
border, the St. George region is world-famous for its wealth of spectacular
natural beauty: stunning red-rock mesas, towering crimson-hued cliffs,
sparkling natural waterways and desert landscapes that embrace the region’s
sisterhood with Arizona. Home to Zion National Park plus several forest-laden
state parks, St. George is both home to and a gateway for fine fishing,
daredevil rock climbing, short- and long-distance biking and hiking,
championship golfing and so much more.
The myriad home-styles you’ll find in St. George include modern two-story floor plans, sprawling single-level ranches, mid-century tri-levels, red-brick Colonials, southwestern-style new construction, townhomes, golf communities and multi-million-dollar contemporaries — truly, there’s something for ‘most everyone and ‘most every budget.
The myriad home-styles you’ll find in St. George include modern two-story floor plans, sprawling single-level ranches, mid-century tri-levels, red-brick Colonials, southwestern-style new construction, townhomes, golf communities and multi-million-dollar contemporaries — truly, there’s something for ‘most everyone and ‘most every budget.
The Feel
Surrounded by Mother Nature’s magnificence, the St. George area is host to Zion National Park as well as several state parks and wilderness areas — all of which are endowed with astonishingly breathtaking scenery. A paradise for those who savor the great outdoors — and deservedly well-known as one of Utah’s most scenic crown jewels — St. George enjoys a much more temperate climate than cities in northern Utah, boasting warm summers and generally mild snow-free winters … in other words, the best of both worlds for outdoors aficionados. Indeed, while big-city amenities and the snow-capped mountains of Salt Lake City are just up the highway about 300 miles, in St. George, you can rock-climb, hike, bike, golf and fish virtually right outside your front door on pretty much a year-round basis.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of St. George currently hovers around a nice-sized 90,000, meaning there are plenty of convenient in-town amenities to make life as pleasant as proverbial pie. After a busy week at work, many St. George-ites love taking to the local trails, picnicking in one of the many parks (including Pioneer Park), visiting the St. George Children’s Museum or loading up the SUV with snacks and goodies and embarking on a day-trip to the Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon. If a longer excursion is what floats your boat (pun intended…), head out on the open road to Lake Powell where you can rent a houseboat for a week or weekend and cruise the pristine waters of this scenic-rich lake. If a more grownup getaway is what you have in mind, the bright lights of Las Vegas are only about two hours or so away from St. George.
Did you know:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of St. George currently hovers around a nice-sized 90,000, meaning there are plenty of convenient in-town amenities to make life as pleasant as proverbial pie. After a busy week at work, many St. George-ites love taking to the local trails, picnicking in one of the many parks (including Pioneer Park), visiting the St. George Children’s Museum or loading up the SUV with snacks and goodies and embarking on a day-trip to the Grand Canyon or Bryce Canyon. If a longer excursion is what floats your boat (pun intended…), head out on the open road to Lake Powell where you can rent a houseboat for a week or weekend and cruise the pristine waters of this scenic-rich lake. If a more grownup getaway is what you have in mind, the bright lights of Las Vegas are only about two hours or so away from St. George.
Did you know:
- Founded in 1861 by some 300 Mormon families, the city was originally intended to be a cotton-farming community. Many of these settlers were said to be from Southern states, and as a colloquial homage to cotton and the ‘cotton culture’ of the time, the area became known as ‘Dixie’. Although some things are in flux, you will still see various entities around town that use the Dixie moniker, including Dixie State University.
- Brigham Young wintered here and his home in town is open to the public.
- The city was named for 19th-century LDS Church apostle George A. Smith.
An Incredible Location
St. George Properties For Sale
Things To Do
Nestled in the southwestern corner of Utah on the Arizona border, the St. George region is world-famous for its spectacular natural beauty: stunning red-rock mesas, towering crimson-hued cliffs, sparkling natural waterways and Arizona-style desert landscapes. Home to the awe-inspiring Zion National Park, St. George also offers easy access to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve as well as four magnificent state parks: Gunlock, Quail Creek, Snow Canyon and Sand Hollow. With a more temperate climate than northern Utah, residents and visitors alike can enjoy pretty much year-round fishing adventures, rock-climbing, biking and hiking, championship golfing and more.
Here’s just a small sampling of what there is to do and see in St. George and the surrounding areas.
Zion National Park
There’s simply no way to describe with mere words the magnificence of Zion National Park, so we’ll let pictures do most of the talking. This spectacular example of Mother Nature’s majesties is heaven on earth for hikers, canyoneers, photographers and those who enjoy taking in the brilliant visuals that surround you at every turn.
Hiking
A few of the more popular hikes include:
Pa’rus Trail
Backpacking, camping and more
Along with hiking and climbing, climbing and more climbing, additional Zion National Park adventures include:
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
If a drive sounds better to you than a hike or climb, no worries; the 57-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive still lets you savor the breathtaking sights of Zion from the safety of your vehicle. Indeed, the experienced-drivers-only route takes you past many of the park’s landmarks (seasonally) as well as numerous view-rich sights outside of the actual park.
Pioneer Park
The 52-acre Pioneer Park is known as a rock-climber’s paradise, boasting spectacular views from Dixie Rock, also known as Sugarloaf.
Tuacahn Center for the Arts
Known as ‘Broadway in the Desert’, the Tuacahn Center for the Arts features indoor and outdoor theaters, with the outdoor amphitheater nestled next to Snow Canyon State Park. In November and December, the Center provides ‘Christmas in the Canyon’ which includes 250,000 lights, Santa Claus and more.
IRONMAN and additional events
Several big-time annual events attract thousands of people to St. George. In addition to championship IRONMAN races, a few of these are the Huntsman World Senior Games and the St. George Art Festival.
Huntsman World Senior Games
Held each October, the Huntsman World Senior Games provide fun yet challenging multi-sport competitions for athletes over the age of 50.
St. George Art Festival
Held on Easter weekend, the St. George Art Festival offers thousands of original works of art, a fun-filled children’s area, plenty of food options and live entertainment on two stages.
Golf
Thanks to St. George’s mild winter weather, the city and surrounding areas lead many to refer to the region as ‘Utah’s Golf Capital’. Each course is unique and all have outstanding views of various kinds. A sampling of some of St. George’s open-to-the-public golf courses includes:
Coral Canyon
The Ledges
St. George Golf Club
Sunbrook Golf Club
SunRiver Golf Club
Dining
From cozy coffee shops to quaint eateries to fine dining, you can find pretty much any type of cuisine-related experience in St. George. Just a few examples include:
Cliffside Restaurant
Here’s just a small sampling of what there is to do and see in St. George and the surrounding areas.
Zion National Park
There’s simply no way to describe with mere words the magnificence of Zion National Park, so we’ll let pictures do most of the talking. This spectacular example of Mother Nature’s majesties is heaven on earth for hikers, canyoneers, photographers and those who enjoy taking in the brilliant visuals that surround you at every turn.
Hiking
A few of the more popular hikes include:
Pa’rus Trail
- Generally considered the easiest hike in Zion National Park, the Pa’rus Trail is noted for being accessible to strollers, bicycles and wheelchairs; it is one of the few places that allows leashed dogs
- Rated ‘easy’, the three-mile (roundtrip) Emerald Pools hike leads to sparkling waterfalls and shimmering pools of water
- Considered the most popular hike in Zion National Park, The Narrows takes hikers through stunning slot-canyons where wading or even swimming is required, so plan on getting wet
- An extremely strenuous hike only for the most fit and adventurous; definitely not for those squeamish about heights
- This very difficult slot-canyon hike is rated for advanced canyoneers since it features several long rappels, the longest being 300 feet; a permit is required
Backpacking, camping and more
Along with hiking and climbing, climbing and more climbing, additional Zion National Park adventures include:
- Backpacking
- Camping
- Horseback riding
- Tours
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
If a drive sounds better to you than a hike or climb, no worries; the 57-mile Zion Canyon Scenic Drive still lets you savor the breathtaking sights of Zion from the safety of your vehicle. Indeed, the experienced-drivers-only route takes you past many of the park’s landmarks (seasonally) as well as numerous view-rich sights outside of the actual park.
- It’s definitely visually worth it, but be warned: some folks call it a ‘white-knuckle’ drive thanks to the drive’s numerous sheer cliffs
Pioneer Park
The 52-acre Pioneer Park is known as a rock-climber’s paradise, boasting spectacular views from Dixie Rock, also known as Sugarloaf.
- Pavilion and picnic areas
- Hiking trails
- Access to slot canyons
- Connection to Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
Tuacahn Center for the Arts
Known as ‘Broadway in the Desert’, the Tuacahn Center for the Arts features indoor and outdoor theaters, with the outdoor amphitheater nestled next to Snow Canyon State Park. In November and December, the Center provides ‘Christmas in the Canyon’ which includes 250,000 lights, Santa Claus and more.
- Multiple show-seasons
- Two concert seasons
IRONMAN and additional events
Several big-time annual events attract thousands of people to St. George. In addition to championship IRONMAN races, a few of these are the Huntsman World Senior Games and the St. George Art Festival.
Huntsman World Senior Games
Held each October, the Huntsman World Senior Games provide fun yet challenging multi-sport competitions for athletes over the age of 50.
- More than 11,000 athletes compete in 35 different sports
St. George Art Festival
Held on Easter weekend, the St. George Art Festival offers thousands of original works of art, a fun-filled children’s area, plenty of food options and live entertainment on two stages.
- Set in the St. George Historic Town Square
Golf
Thanks to St. George’s mild winter weather, the city and surrounding areas lead many to refer to the region as ‘Utah’s Golf Capital’. Each course is unique and all have outstanding views of various kinds. A sampling of some of St. George’s open-to-the-public golf courses includes:
Coral Canyon
- 18 holes
- Par 72
- 7,029 yards
- 9 holes
- Par 34
- 2,775 yards
The Ledges
- 18 holes
- Par 72
- 7,200 yards
St. George Golf Club
- 18 holes
- Par 73
- 7,238 yards
Sunbrook Golf Club
- 27 holes
- Par 72
- 6,818 yards
SunRiver Golf Club
- 18 holes
- Par 71
- 6,704 yards
Dining
From cozy coffee shops to quaint eateries to fine dining, you can find pretty much any type of cuisine-related experience in St. George. Just a few examples include:
Cliffside Restaurant
- High-quality chef-inspired menu
- Southwestern ambience, intriguing flavors, fresh ingredients
- Artisan pizza Neapolitan style, fresh dough daily
- Bakery, restaurant and lounge