SPECTACULAR Southern Utah – National Parks, Petroglyphs, Recreation and MUCH MORE…

Parowan Utah & Painted Hills RV Resort: An Ideal RV Camper “basecamp” with an central location from which to explore the entire region

Painted Hills RV Resort

Painted Hills RV Resort is a great place to make your basecamp as you explore Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park and the surrounding region. I should know, I’ve been here since November 1st. My primary goal was to serve as a ski instructor at Brian Head, just 12 miles and 4000 ft. UP the road! But, there is SO much more within a short drive from here.

Continue reading to learn more about Southern Utah, much of what it has to offer and why I have truly enjoyed my stay at Painted Hills RV Resort.

Amazing and Inspiring Places and Parks to Visit and Explore

Some of the links below highlight my personal visits to these amazing places. I try to share as much as I can – but YOU need to go there (really!) As I write this in March 2025, I have visited virtually all below, but am still compiling photos, video and impressions to share with you, so, please bear with me as I bring these places to life for you! If you click a link below and the post is not yet live, please bear with me! Also – look for small updates in this post from time to time as I continue to explore and reflect upon my experiences in Southern Utah.

• Brian Head Ski Resort – with a season that often lasts from November until May (perhaps NOT this year!) Situated at 10,000 ft. and just a 12 mile and 20 minute drive up Parowan Canyon
• Cedar Breaks National Monument – just 5 minutes past Brian Head, a natural amphitheater stretching across 3 miles with a depth of 2000 ft. During the winter, you’ll have to walk in as this is the “end of the road” due to winter road closures.

• Bryce Canyon National Park (<–click for a full tour from my recent visit) – just 1.25 hours from Parowan. This SPECTACULAR park made my “must visit” list before I depart this region! Great hiking terrain. Most popular in the summer. No reservation is required for entry into Bryce Canyon National Park. Update: I have a great report coming for you soon on Bryce!

• Kolob Canyon and Zion National Park (<–click for a full tour from my recent visit) – between a 30 minute drive and 1.25 hours depending upon your entry point. Spectacular canyons, vertical relief and more. Lots of hiking opportunities. No reservation is required for entry into Zion National Park.

• Beaver Canyon (<–click for a full tour from my recent visit) and Beaver Creamery – Beaver Canyon is the most spectacular canyon I’ve encountered in my nearly 14 years of travel! Enjoy the video I shot as I drove into it last Oct 30 (2024.) The Creamery (in the town of Beaver) is an iconic stop. Great ice cream AND cheeses! Beaver is just over 30 minutes from Parowan and the top of Beaver Canyon is another 30 minutes or less if you drive straight up.

• Parowan Gap Petroglyphs (<–click for a full tour from my recent visit)- People travel thousands of miles to see these petroglyphs located a few minutes west of Parowan. Check with Scott, the owner of Painted Hills RV Resort to find additional lesser known petroglyphs!

And yet more cities, parks and remote regions…

• Cedar City – a college town of about 30,000 residents. Many good restaurants, shopping, auto repair, tire stores and more. Only 15-20 minutes from Parowan. I visit “Cedar” several times each week to shop at the Natural Grocers, Smiths, Walmart, Home Depot and more. There’s also a well equipped Aquatic Center in town.
• St. George – the fastest growing city in our nation, now with a population of around 200,000. Including the surrounding communities, the population is rapidly approaching a quarter million residents. The city remains VERY livable with low crime rates and a reasonable climate for most of the year (summers are HOT.) St. George is about an hour from Parowan.
• Sand Hollow State Park (<–click for a full tour from my recent visit) – near St. George. Sand Hollow is perhaps one of the most spectacular state parks in all of Utah. Full hookup RV camping is available and the lake allows all types of boats and is great for kayaking – virtually year round! Also about an hour from Parowan.

• San Rafael Swell – A bit farther than some of the above “must visits”, the San Rafael Swell is one of the MOST remote regions in our nation. Once considered as the future site of NORAD, “the Swell” is a high desert region that offers amazing views at “the Wedge.” The Wedge is also known as the “Little Grand Canyon.” Home to Buckhorn Wash petroglyphs, Goblin Valley State Park, Little Horse Canyon (hike) and countless ATV trails situated both north and south of I-70 and Green River, Utah.

A brief side-trip on Medicare for Travelers…

A quick note about Medicare for Travelers now that I’m about 1.5 years into the plan I selected. As a traveler, I knew I’d have “special needs” as I want access to specialists (as needed) WITHOUT a referral from “my doctor.” I also want to be able to cross state lines and get medical care without jumping through hoops! My article on Medicare for Travelers addresses these needs – and perhaps yours as well! I also offer specific guidance if you’re trying to navigate the Medicare system for the first time!

Painted Hills RV Resort: My basecamp in Southern Utah

I’ve been staying at Painted Hills since the beginning of November (2024) and will remain into the early Spring. New adventures await after I depart! Painted Hills is a relatively new RV park and it truly IS a resort. Scott, the owner takes meticulous care of Painted Hills. The HEATED bathrooms (with full shower) are all individual use and immaculate (cleaned daily.)

As I prepare this article in March 2025, I can certify I’ve visited each and every location discussed above over the past several weeks and can confirm that most are within a very manageable drive from Painted Hills RV Resort and Parowan. Most are about an hour or less from Painted Hills.

A SAFE and SECURE RV Park

Scott himself is an RV’er. He lives in a camper in the resort at Painted Hills. He is very present and looks out for the campers who are staying there. His office also contains all the provisions you’d hope to find from themed sweatshirts to rv accessories. Stop in anytime for a free cup of coffee and some chocolates! There is also a laundry on site with moderate rates.

RECREATION ON SITE

This year, Scott is opening a pool, hot tub, and pickle ball court facility. There is also a secure dog walk/run area. The RV sites are generously sized and well spaced for a private RV park. The sites are all gravel, which I appreciate as a winter camper. It makes it easier to stake down my rv skirt. Trees have been planted, but will not provide much shade in the near future.

Parowan, Utah – and Cedar City

The town of Parowan is quiet with a very manageable population of about 2000 residents. It offers several restaurants that provide everything from a great breakfast (Dede’s Farmhouse Cafe and the Parowan Cafe) to very filling pizza (Pizza Barn) to a unique restaurant experience (Jersey’s Corner.) Nearby, Cedar City, home to SUU, Southern Utah University has a much larger population. Cedar City offers virtually every other type of restaurant, retail shopping and service you can think of.

Concluding Thoughts including thoughts on the RV Lifestyle…

While there are MANY RV camping options in this region. I’ve found Parowan to be a good, safe, and convenient centralized location from which to launch my explorations. If you choose Painted Hills as your basecamp, please let me know about your experience (below.) I do read and respond to ALL thoughts and comments.

Further, please DO jump on my newsletter to be notified of upcoming posts as I generate them. I WILL be expanding upon many of the excursions I’ve taken in the past several weeks in future posts!

IF you’re not yet an RV’er OR you’re thinking of getting into a new (or new to you) camper, please do check out my Concierge RV Buying (and Selling) Service HERE.

Lastly, as we head into spring, if you need “tried and true” RV Accessories, please visit my recommendations by clicking the image below. By doing so, you’ll be helping to support my website without it costing you and extra dime!