Small lakes and big rocks, golf courses and ski areas, Shakespeare and the latest special effects -- you'll find it all in the southwest corner of Utah, dubbed "Color Country" by the locals for its numerous and colorful rock formations. In addition to the attractions, another reason to visit is the warm winter weather: The region's largest city, St. George, and its immediate surroundings are known as "Utah's Dixie" for the area's mild climate as well as its previous life as a Civil War-era cotton growing region. Color Country is a terrific winter playground; there's no need to ever put away the golf clubs or swimsuits in this neighborhood.
You'll find plenty to see and do in this colorful corner of Utah. Step back more than a hundred years at Mormon leader Brigham Young's winter home or cheer on the Dixie State College Rebels football team. Our favorite stops are outdoors: the rugged red-rock cliffs at Snow Canyon State Park, the ruddy sands of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, and the panoramic views from Cedar Breaks National Monument. This area is also a good base for those visiting the area's national parks, including Grand Canyon (pick up a copy of Frommer's Grand Canyon), Great Basin, and Zion.
This region isn't only a warm-weather destination, though. Its range of elevations means you can often lounge around the pool in the morning and build a snowman that same afternoon. From the scorching desert at St. George, it's only 74 miles -- and almost 7,500 feet up -- to the cool mountain forest at Cedar Breaks National Monument. Home to a variety of scenic and recreation areas (you'll even find ski resorts here), a surprising number of historic attractions, and some excellent performing arts events (such as the Utah Shakespearean Festival in Cedar City), this area also serves as the gateway to several of the area's spectacular national parks.
In recent years, St. George has been booming, with Washington County's population jumping 30% from 2000 to 2005. More than a few Californians have retired here after falling in love with the climate -- and the real estate prices. But the growth hasn't changed everything. There are still wide open expanses, the winters are still mild, and the surroundings still starkly beautiful.
