When to Go

Year-round, far southwestern Utah is the warmest region in the state. St. George is usually the first city in Utah to break 100°F every summer, and even the winters remain mild at these lower desert elevations. Despite the summer's heat, most people visit the area from June to September—prime season for national park touring—making the off-season winter months preferable if you wish to avoid crowds and sweltering (but arid) heat. If you do decide to brave the heat, wear sunscreen and drink lots of water, regardless of your activity level, but also pack some warmer clothes if you're venturing into the national parks, Brian Head and Dixie National Forest, or the U.S. 89 and Highway 12 corridors, as even in July and August, nights cool down significantly in these high-elevation climates.