St. George, Utah — It would be easy to make the case that the Greater Zion region of Utah is the most-underrated golf destination in the southwest. The density of golf courses – 13 within a 20-mile radius, including six ranked among the top 10 statewide by Golfweek – offer unusual value, convenience and landscapes that will leave you gobsmacked.
But let’s set aside golf for a moment. If you’re traveling to Bandon Dunes or Myrtle Beach, you’re going to cram as many golf holes as possible into your trip. You could do the same in Greater Zion, but even if you never tee it up, there are no shortage of reasons to visit. Here are five reasons, unrelated to golf, why you should book your trip to southwest Utah.
1. The same dramatic landscape that creates such as a stunning backdrop for golf is more thoroughly enjoyed in the area parks. This is a region where you can do everything from mountain biking to scuba diving, and everything in between, on the same day. (Quick quiz: Name another destination anywhere in the world that could make the same claim.)
2. It’s a breeze getting here. For example, St. George Regional Airport offers direct flights from several major cities in the west and southwest. Or in just under two hours, you can drive up Interstate-15 from Las Vegas Airport. (Alternatively, it’s an easy commute if you’re in St. George and want to slip away for a day on The Strip or a sporting event in Las Vegas.)
3. One of the reasons this is among the nation’s fastest-growing regions is that there’s a deep connection to the land and the history of southwest Utah. You’re not just going somewhere to hit as many golf balls as possible, then pack up and leave; you’re visiting a community that has embraced its history and invested in its future.
The former is evident in everything from Greater Zion’s 16 museums, many of which tell the story of the region, to the petroglyph sites on Snow Canyon State Park’s Gila Trail that evoke Native Americans’ centuries-old attachment to the land. The latter – the future of Greater Zion – is evident nightly at Tuacahn Amphitheatre, where residents and visitors alike can enjoy great theater and music.
4. No one has ever gotten rich betting on the weather, but you can feel pretty confident that you’ll enjoy a sun-splashed stay in Greater Zion. This is a temperate, year-round, high-desert climate that typically experiences 300 days of sunshine annually. You won’t face the stifling heat of Las Vegas in summer, nor will you be deluged by snow like residents of northern Utah.
5. What’s your lodging preference? Do you want to enjoy luxury accommodations, or would you prefer glamping in the great outdoors? Do you want to end your day with a relaxing massage at the spa or would you prefer s’mores over an open fire pit? In Greater Zion, the choice is yours.
Bonus round: You know how we said we were going to give you five good reasons to visit Greater Zion? We lied. We’re going to give you one more reason: those remarkable Greater Zion sunsets. Regardless whether you’ve spent the day hiking, biking, fishing, jet-skiing, rock climbing, racing ATVs, or simply relaxing on a beach in one of Greater Zion’s state parks, those killer sunsets will soothe your soul and keep you coming back for more.