Sand & Water: Exploring Tourism in Southwest Utah

By: Emily Mildenhall Home to the Big 5 National Parks, Utah attracts millions of tourists annually. Zion National Park alone has over 5 million yearly visitors, and the numbers keep increasing. This is no surprise to Washington County residents who are constantly surrounded by the majestic red summits, starry night skies, and the serene Virgin River that draw in so many visitors in the first place.  The stories we tell about southern Utah are intrinsically tied to sand and water in many ways, and many of the attractions in Zion can attest to that. From its water features like Weeping Rock, the Emerald Pools, the Riverside Walk, and the Narrows to its more off-the-beaten-path trails like Angels Landing and Zion Canyon Overlook, Zion National Park is marketed as a must-see destination for adventurous individuals, and to a lesser extent, easygoing families and hikers. In my exploration of how Zion is advertised in travel articles, I’ve found that it’s mainly marketed toward avid, act...

By: Autumn Nuzman Sand and water are the lifeblood of southern Utah, but they have also contributed to local destruction. Whether it be through flooding, droughts, erosion, earthquakes, irrigation issues, or lack of mineable materials, sand and water have been the cause of many a ghost town in southern Utah, especially in Washington County. The patterns in the way these ghost towns were abandoned and their ties to sand and water certainly tell a fascinating tale in regard to how even life-giving resources can be a threat to pioneer settlements. Likewise, it can be interesting how some of Washington County's ghost towns are promoted or remembered in contrast to others. Patterns in Reasons for Abandonment Many of the ghost towns in southern Utah overlap in their reasons for abandonment, and those that don't are still worth noting given their intriguing nature. After all, a grasshopper plague is nothing to balk at ("Harrisburg"). Above is a chart showing how many of the ...

By: Sam Kanongataa Southwest Utah is popularized by an exceeding amount of tourists year-round. Sand Hollow, one of the four state parks in Washington County, admitted more visitors than any other state park in 2021 with over 1.4 million. This analysis characterizes the beauty and attractiveness that so many visitors share and return to experience. Amusingly, sand and water are frequent symbols used to illustrate its beautiful-orange sand beaches and deep blue water. Sand Hollow embodies a gorgeous and unique story promoted by its beauty and endless recreational activity, and its features can prove it.  Sand Hollow's uniqueness comes from the ability to enjoy recreational activities by land and sea. Its activities alter from summer to winter. Not only can v isitors go ATV riding or simply reside on the ground campsites, they can also go b oating, rafting, paddle boarding, jet skiing, etc. Additionally, Sand Hollow offers friendly services: toilets, showers, running water, picnic ta...