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The Desert Backcountry of Nevada and Utah

200907-a-weekend-getaways

Photo: Buff Strickland

WELCOME TO THE GREATEST EARTH ON SHOW, declares one highway sign. Those words couldn’t be truer about this drive from Las Vegas through Nevada and Utah—where the sky is vast, the landscape is alive, the cowboy hats are big, and the pickup trucks come caked and splattered with red dirt. This is the real American Southwest, with a wildness and emptiness that allows you a taste of frontier life. It’s a trip through the land of the Marlboro Man and Thelma and Louise.

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Our Picks

3 Hotels 3 Restaurants 3 Activities

Destinations: Springdale · The Zion National Park Area · Ivins · St. George · Ivins · Overton

Themes: Road Trip · Adventure

Inspired by: 3 Southwestern Weekend Getaways — by Katie Arnold, Published Jun. 2009

Hotels (3)

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    Flanigan’s Inn

    Springdale | U.S. + Canada | U.S. | Utah | The Zion National Park Area | Southern Utah + The Parks

    A spa, a hilltop labyrinth, and the popular Spotted Dog Café make the property feel like its own little village. Several rooms have decks or patios; Z

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    Red Mountain Resort & Spa

    Ivins | U.S. + Canada | U.S. | Utah | The Zion National Park Area | Southern Utah + The Parks

    Secluded deep in southwestern Utah’s Grand Circle area, Red Mountain Resort’s 82 southwestern-style rooms and 24 suites take full advantage of the sce... More
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    Zion Lodge

    Springdale | U.S. + Canada | U.S. | Utah | The Zion National Park Area | Southern Utah + The Parks

    Staying here lets you roll out of bed and onto a trail (it’s right across from the Emerald Pools hike). Ask for one of the historic 1920’s cabins with

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Restaurants (3)

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    Oscar’s Café

    Springdale | U.S. + Canada | U.S. | Utah | The Zion National Park Area | Southern Utah + The Parks

    The berry-topped waffles will satisfy even the heartiest appetites. Breakfast burritos and hiker’s granola are other popular options at this colorful

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    Twentyfive Main

    St. George | U.S. + Canada | U.S. | Utah | Southern Utah + The Parks

    Long live the cake parlor—thanks to this lovely spot and its daily selection of house-baked cupcakes, from orange blossom to peanut butter cup. Savory

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    Cosmopolitan Restaurant

    St. George | U.S. + Canada | U.S. | Utah | Southern Utah + The Parks

    The hidden restaurant is worth finding, even on the darkest nights when you’ll have to watch for wildlife crossing the road. The Western-saloon exteri

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Activities (3)

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    Snow Canyon State Park

    Ivins | U.S. + Canada | U.S. | Utah | Southern Utah + The Parks

    Should Zion ever get overrun (and it does), this park is a much better kept secret. The kid-friendly, two-mile round-trip Butterfly Trail brings you t

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    Valley of Fire State Park

    Overton | U.S. + Canada | U.S. | Nevada | Rest of Nevada

    Walk the red sandstone formations. Nevada’s oldest state park is made up of some 35,000-odd acres of petroglyphs and dramatic rock formations. Look fo

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    Zion National Park

    The Zion National Park Area | U.S. + Canada | U.S. | Utah | Southern Utah + The Parks

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