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The Cedar City Destination owes its name to Cedar City, located in southern Utah in the United States. The town has acted as a "gateway" to many nearby attractions, including Zion National Park, Dixie National Forest, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Bryce Canyon National Park, though the latter is not within the boundaries of the Cedar City Destination itself. The region is known for being the home of Southern Utah University and the Utah Shakespearean Festival, which in turn has caused the area to be a small hub of education and the arts.[2] Diversity in both the geographic composition and the climate of the Cedar City Destination allows visitors to participate in a wide assortment of activities. Hiking, mountain biking, snowboarding, and ATVing are a few examples of possible attractions in the surrounding area. St. George is the largest city in the destination, and it acts as the seat of Washington County. Many of the communities in the area were formed by pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and their St. George Temple is the longest operating building of its kind for the religion.[8]
Named after the largest city in Iron County, Utah, the Cedar City Destination comprises the southwestern corner of the state, as well as the Kaibab Indian Reservation of Arizona. Cedar City itself is home to an estimated population of around 35,000 people, the Southern Utah University, and the Utah Shakespearean Festival. Apart from the namesake of the destination, the area contains notable cities such as St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Panguitch, and Springdale. The area as a whole is considered to be a desert climate with distinctive geographical features, many of which are located in Zion National Park.[2] Southern Utah is home to a variety of outdoor activities, such as biking, stargazing, hiking, boarding, and climbing. Slot canyons are another distinct feature of the region, which are traversable during most times of the year.[1]
Cedar City has acted as a "gateway" to many of the national parks or other recreational areas that southern Utah has to offer. The aforementioned Zion National Park is located in Springdale and is most well known for its hikes, including Angel's Landing, the Narrows Bottom Up, Weeping Rock, the Upper Emerald Pools, and the Riverside Walk. Angel's Landing is particularly famous, with an elevation gain of nearly 1,500 feet and a length of 5.4 miles. The back end of the hike involves holding onto chains and traversing relatively narrow walkways, meaning that park officials discourage small children from participating in the attraction.[9] Some of the other attractions that Cedar City acts as a "gateway" for include Bryce Canyon National Park, the Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Grand Canyon National Park. Beyond just providing a location that is in proximity to national parks in southern Utah, Cedar City is also a center of education and the arts.[2]
St. George is the largest city in the Cedar City Destination with a population of approximately 120,000 and is the eighth-largest city in the state of Utah. The area has seen extensive growth in the past few decades, surpassing cities such as Las Vegas in their per capita growth. The warm temperatures that are present year-round in the area have caused it to become a retirement location or a place where people can purchase a vacation home as a seasonal venture. St. George's name comes from one of the early apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a religion that is prominent in the area. The apostle's full name is George A. Smith, who was referred to as the "Potato Saint" due to his habit of encouraging settlers to eat raw, unpeeled potatoes with the goal of curing scurvy. Somewhat ironically, George was not involved in the city's initial settlement, though he did select many of the pioneers that would go on to perform the task. The religious efforts of the Church of Jesus Christ allowed them to construct one of their temples in St. George in 1877, which was the first of its kind west of the Mississippi River.[8]
The desert climates of southern Utah comprise much of the Cedar City Destination, though there are portions of the area that experience enough snow for a variety of winter activities. Snowboarding and skiing are possible seasonally due to the fact that Cedar City receives an average of 49 inches of snow each year. Rainfall, on the other hand, only averages around 11 inches. The amount of rain that occurs is fairly consistent from month to month, whereas the snowfall is heavily concentrated between November and March, with an average of 8 inches. April has an average of 5 inches of snow, and by May, the chance of snow drops significantly.[3]
Regarding the annual temperatures of the Cedar City Destination, the high and low temperatures average out to be 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 34 degrees, respectively. July and August are the warmest months for the area, with mean high temperatures of around 89. December and January have low temperatures that are usually 16 or 17 degrees, making them the coldest two months for the region. Because of the variety of activities that are available in the destination, tourists visit during the times of the year when their desired attractions are possible.[3]
The Cedar City Destination's location places it in Utah's southwestern corner, though a portion of Arizona is included in the form of the Kaibab Indian Reservation. The destination's western boundary follows the border between Utah and Nevada, rising up to include Beryl and Paragonah before tapering off to the east before reaching Bryce, Utah. As such, the destination includes Dixie National Forest, Zion National Park, and is in close proximity to Bryce Canyon National Park. Like much of Utah, the Cedar City Destination is mountainous and contains many valleys, canyons, and hills. There are areas such as Cedar Mountain that have a range of plant life, though there are also sections of the destination that are more barren. Southern Utah is home to multiple species of plants such as elm trees, white firs, creeping mahonia, poison ivy, cardinal herbs, Zion desert trumpet, and various types of cacti.[4]
Because of the diverse nature of the area's geography, outdoor activities are one of the biggest draws for tourism in the area. Biking, camping, photography, paddle boarding, rock climbing, skydiving, horseback riding, boating, and ATVing are all examples of diversions that people can experience while in the Cedar City Destination.[7]
Cedar City, the namesake of the destination, is currently the largest community in Iron County and is home to tens of thousands of people. The settlement of the area first occurred on November 11, 1851. This day marked the arrival of 35 men from an existing settlement named Parowan, which was 20 miles to the north. The primary purpose behind the trip was to establish iron works, and the process was led by a man named Henry Lunt. Many of the people who comprised the expedition were personally selected by noted Latter-Day Saint apostle George A. Smith. The group of men constructed a handful of cottonwood log houses in a formation akin to that of a fort, calling the area Fort Cedar. The "cedar" portion of the settlement's name came from an abundance of what the men assumed to be cedar trees; however, they have since been discovered to be junipers.[5]
Over the decades, the economy of the city was adapted multiple times. Though iron works remained part of the town's production until the 1980s, the development of a railroad to Cedar City in 1923 was what exposed the area to the world of tourism. The access that the city had to various national parks in the area became one of its most considerable assets, to the point that the city was referred to as "the gateway to the parks." In the modern age, Cedar City's economy is driven by tourism, moderate levels of mining activities, and agriculture. Southern Utah University is also a factor in the town's recognition, which enrolls approximately 7,000 students at any given time. The university, which has since become the home of the Utah Shakespearean Festival, was founded in 1897 as a branch of the University of Utah (known at the time as the Utah State Agricultural College of Logan).[5]
St. George, which is the largest city in the Cedar City Destination, was created as a result of missionary efforts in Santa Clara, which was two miles northwest of what would eventually become St. Geroge. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were hoping to participate in missionary work with the Native Americans of the region and also began to set up experimental farms between 1857 and 1858. Families from neighboring settlements were assigned to move to the area to grow cotton and establish a more formal community. The city would eventually be named St. George after George A. Smith, an apostle for the religion at the time. St. George soon became the location of a Latter-Day Saint temple, which was finished in 1875. The structure was an important symbol of freedom for the saints, who had been forced to abandon previous temples. As such, the St. George Temple is the longest continuously operating temple in the Church of Jesus Christ.[8]
Tyler Inn at Zion is an inn that is located in Rockville, Utah, which is near the border of the Utah and Arizona state line and can be found south of Zion National Park. The entrance to Zion National Park is roughly ten minutes away from Tyler Inn at Zion, making the inn a location that heavily caters to people who are wishing to visit the national park. The surrounding area tends to be better for people who want to spend most of their time outside doing recreational activities like hiking, rafting, horseback riding, and more. Tyler Inn at Zion is currently the only bed and breakfast in the area that serves home-cooked breakfasts made from scratch. The owners ask that guests don't bring children under the age of eight or any animals with them when they stay at Tyler Inn at Zion.
...Read MoreThe Two Cranes Inn is located in Rockville Utah and is within a 10-minute drive to Zion National Park. There are four rooms available for patrons of the property, and each room has a private bathroom. The owners of the establishment strive to be eco-friendly by providing reusable dispensers for soap and shower products, as well as installing solar panels on the roof of the building. The inn is located near Zion National Park, as well as Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Cedar Breaks National Monument. The owners' goal is to help guests have a peaceful and calming experience at the inn, and they strive to provide that environment by having a walking labyrinth for meditation as well as a Lizard Zen Garden that guests can use.
...Read MoreAmid Summer's Inn Bed and Breakfast
Amid Summer's Inn is located just five houses down from the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, Utah. The property is on an old fashioned treelined street surrounded by gardens, a gazebo, and many different seating areas and walking paths. The inn has a total of ten rooms, with seven of them eligible to be used for a longer term than a regular vacation would normally be. The Shakespeare Festival occurs during the summer months of July and August and the Amid Summer's Inn tends to be close to the location its taking place, as well as a number of other outdoor recreational activities like hiking and paddle boarding.
...Read MoreKanab Suites is a twelve-bedroom inn located in Kanab, Utah. The property has been in operation for a little over a year, officially opening as an inn in August 2019. One unique thing about the property is that each room has a private entrance and keyless entry, allowing guests to be more independent as they come and go from the property. Some popular attractions and destinations nearby include Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Park. At these or in the surrounding area, guests can participate in various recreational activities such as hiking, biking, ATVing, and boating.
...Read MoreThe Zion Park Motel is located in Springdale, a small town in southern Utah situated directly outside the entrance to Zion National Park. The motel itself is roughly one mile from the park and near the Springdale Shuttle, which can bring them there. Zion National Park and the surrounding area is a widely-recognized nature reserve famous for hiking, mountain biking, canyoneering, camping, ATVing, and other recreational activities. Springdale has an abundance of dining and shopping options visitors can go to as well. The Zion Park Motel has 21 guest accommodations available for people to reserve, varying from single bed units to triple queen bed layouts to apartment-style floorplans with full kitchens. It also has a heated pool and a barbecue area its patrons can use at their leisure. The motel is centrally located in Springdale and within a few minutes’ walk from restaurants, gift shops, galleries, and other establishments.
...Read MoreThe Canyon Lodge Motel is located in Panguitch, Utah. It is a small motel that is open during all times of the year and offers nine rooms in total, with additional rooms currently under renovation. It was first constructed in the 1950s, hinting at its age by the way the rooms are designed and decorated, and serves as a convenient lodging source for those who are planning to visit some of the nearby places of interest like Bryce Canyon National Park. The area that surrounds the town of Panguitch tends to be populated mostly with trees and mountains, with a few other national forests and parks close by.
...Read MoreHarvest House Bed and Breakfast
Noel and Suzette, the current owners of Harvest House Bed and Breakfast, have been operating the business since 2019. The establishment is located in southern Utah, offering four guestrooms in total. Additionally, many amenities are available to those who are staying at the property, including a hot tub, Wi-Fi, and car charging stations. Each week from Friday to Sunday, breakfast is provided every morning for guests at the property. One of the most popular attractions that can be found in close proximity to the Harvest House is Zion National Park, which typically draws in a fair amount of tourists. The national park offers a wide arrangement of outdoor recreation, with hiking being one of the most prominent activities.
...Read MoreBunk House at Zion
Bunk House Inn at Zion is found in Rockville, Utah, a town near the state's southern border. The establishment offers two rooms for guests to choose from, The Southwestern Room or The Country Room. Both units come equipped with queen-sized beds and Wi-Fi. Outside, one can find an organic orchard that is owned by the inn that grows various fruits like apricots, peaches, apples, and more. The business is located within driving distance of several national and state parks, including Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. The entrance to Zion National Park is found about four miles away from the inn. Pets can be accommodated at Bunk House Inn at Zion. The establishment also focuses on recycling and being eco-friendly.
...Read MoreLocated near the entrance to Zion National Park in Rockville, Utah, is the Heller House Inn on Main. The half-acre property features a 4,300-square-foot house with four guestrooms available year-round. There are also two living room common areas, two dining rooms, and a guest kitchen. Each room features amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, hand lotion, hair dryers, and bathrobes. Additionally, in each room, there is a sitting area that can be utilized by patrons during their stay. Breakfast is provided for those staying at the inn as well. Each morning, visitors can warm up a fresh frittata that is sitting in the fridge for them, and there is also sweet Italian sausage, fruit, cold cereal, hot cereal, yogurt, bagels, cream cheese, and orange juice provided. If guests have any food restrictions, accommodations can be made, given advance notice.
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