Cedar City’s SUU Shines As The University Of The Parks

Provo has earned national attention as Utah’s standout college town for outdoor adventure, landing on Expedia's list of the top college communities in the country where student life and nature go hand in hand. Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, Provo offers an environment where hiking trails, climbing routes, and canyon scenery are not weekend getaways but part of everyday life.

For college students, access to outdoor recreation can play an important role in both physical health and mental well-being. The college years are often filled with academic pressure, busy schedules, and major life transitions. Having nearby opportunities to step outside, exercise, and reset can make a meaningful difference. Whether it’s a quick hike between classes or a longer weekend adventure, outdoor activity helps students manage stress, stay active, and build strong social connections.

SUU Is The University Of The Parks

While Provo represents Utah on that national list, Southern Utah University in Cedar City offers a different, equally compelling outdoor identity as the only university in the United States officially designated the “University of the Parks.” This unique title reflects SUU’s commitment to outdoor engagement through its location surrounded by an abundance of national parks, monuments, forests, and recreation areas and through a wide array of programs that integrate nature into learning and living. At SUU, students can take advantage of sponsored trips that include hiking, mountain biking, canyoneering, rafting, paddleboarding, skiing, and snowshoeing, connecting the classroom to real-world outdoor experiences and fostering sustainable stewardship of the land.

The designation also opens doors to internships and career preparation in outdoor-related fields, blending academic growth with adventure and professional development. Even though Cedar City itself didn’t appear on the national list, students at SUU enjoy abundant opportunities to explore nearby natural wonders, from local trails and forests to world-famous parks just a few hours away.

Read More: Is Utah's Population Shifting From Native To Transplant?

The Expedia study highlights college towns across the country that blend student culture with outdoor opportunity, from Flagstaff’s high-desert peaks to Boulder’s trail network and Ithaca’s waterfall-filled gorges. Provo’s inclusion as Utah’s representative underscores the state’s reputation for outdoor recreation and the unique advantage students have when nature is right outside their door.

As more colleges and communities recognize the value of wellness and balance, towns like Provo and Cedar City show how outdoor adventure can be more than a hobby. For many students, it becomes an essential part of the college experience, shaping healthy habits and lifelong appreciation for the natural world.