Central is a quiet, peaceful community in the valley
Surrounded by miles of rural landscape west of the Pine Valley Mountains, Central is a residential area about 15 miles south of Enterprise and roughly 27 miles north of St. George. Most homes in the municipality are found along unpaved roads north of Center Street, with a handful of farm properties beyond them. “It’s a very agricultural, cowboy community,” says Realtor Edward Leavitt with ERA Brokers, who has almost 10 years of experience. “You’re outside of the city, so it’s quieter, and the lots are larger. People are willing to make the drive to work.”
Diverse single-family homes on large lots
Most homes in Central are lined along dirt or gravel roads, separated by trees and desert shrubbery. “There’s a huge variety of homes because the building requirements aren’t as restrictive as in a city. Each house is its own,” Leavitt says. Ranch-style and contemporary single-story homes built in the 1990s to 2020s are common. Some are Spanish Revival-inspired with adobe or stucco siding and flat roofs, while others have Craftsman features such as pointed roofs, front gables and stone accents. Prices range from $300,000 to $550,000. Custom multistory homes are another popular option. There are traditional mountain homes with balconies, and there are modern farmhouses with porches and steep, pointed roofs. These properties cost around $500,000 to $610,000. The CAP Index Crime Score for Central is 1 out of 10, low when compared to the national average of 4.
Natural recreation at nearby reservoirs and state parks
While Central is primarily residential, the surrounding landscape is full of natural recreation. About 4 miles south is the Baker Reservoir, which allows fishing, bird watching and hunting in the area. The Baker Dam Recreation Area by the water is a campground with RV sites. Pine Valley Reservoir is another water source around 9 miles east with camping, fishing and hiking.
Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,400-acre open space roughly 14 miles south with sandstone cliffs and a desert landscape. There are over 50 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Visitors can also watch for coyotes and quail or join a junior ranger program. The Red Cliffs National Conservation Area is nearby, where the Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau and Great Basin meet. Dinosaur tracks and various fossils have been found preserved within the sandstone cliffs. The area has over 130 miles of trails to explore.
Retail and dining in Enterprise, Veyo and St. George
Traveling to nearby towns is required for shopping and dining. Enterprise is about 15 miles north with a handful of options on Main Street. Carter’s Market is a grocery store and Marv’s Drive In is a classic diner. Additionally, Veyo is around 7 miles south of Central and has Spanish Trail Supply, a gas station that doubles as a convenience store with a sandwich shop.
St. George is full of retail and restaurants, roughly 27 miles south. Red Rock Commons is a shopping center along River Road with multiple national retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Old Navy. There are also several restaurant chains, including Pieology and Habit Burger & Grill. A shopping center with Target and Lowe's is farther south on River Road. Harmon’s Grocery is even farther south, across from the city’s hospital.
B-rated Washington County public schools
Central schools are part of the Washington County School District. Enterprise Elementary School earns a B grade from Niche and teaches kindergarten through sixth grade. From there, students can head to the B-minus-rated Enterprise High School for grades seven through 12. The high school has a competitive sports program and offers electives for theater, woodshop and welding.
Traveling through Central and beyond by car
A vehicle is required to navigate Central’s dirt and gravel roads. Utah state Route 18 travels through the area, heading north to Beryl Junction and south to St. George. For air travel, the St. George Regional Airport is roughly 40 miles south and has direct flights to a handful of major U.S. cities.
Environmental effects of a dry, hot climate
Central’s dry desert landscape has a risk of potential wildfires in the warmer months; the Central Fire Station provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the area. According to the FEMA National Risk Index, Central also has a relatively high risk of heat waves and landslides.
