St. George offers an abundance of breathtaking outdoor adventures within a convenient 20-30 minute drive of downtown, and some of the country’s most iconic red rock scenery is barely an hour past that. Hiking, mountain biking, camping, climbing, and even skiing are all part of everyday life here. Summers get hot, so plan hikes and rides for early morning; the rest of the year is close to ideal for getting outside. Below is a running list of my favorite spots around St. George, updated as I find new ones worth sharing.
Hiking St. George Utah
Hiking is one of the most popular things to do around St. George, thanks to how many trailheads sit within a 20-30 minute drive of downtown. I use the AllTrails app to scout new trails. It shows distance, difficulty, and real photos so you know what you’re getting into, and I always ask locals what they recommend, too. Two of my go-to local spots are Snow Canyon State Park and Pioneer Park.
Snow Canyon Utah Hikes
Hiking in Snow Canyon offers breathtaking views and is just 20 minutes from downtown St. George. I’ve done a few trails, including the Lava Tubes via the Lava Flow Trail, the Turtle Wall Paradise Rim Loop, and Chuckwalla. They’re all pretty easy and can be hiked in anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, perfect for a quick outdoor escape.
Pioneer Park, St. George
Hiking in Pioneer Park is another popular outdoor activity in St. George. Just 5 to 10 minutes from downtown, it’s a great spot for a quick escape. While I haven’t hiked there much, it’s a fun place to explore and check out the unique rock formations. The area sits on a cliff overlooking St. George, making it an ideal spot to watch the sunset and soak in the stunning Southern Utah red rocks. Plus, the famous Dixie Rock is located right within Pioneer Park, adding to its charm.
Zion National Park Hiking
Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and it’s only an hour’s drive from St. George. When I think of hiking in Southern Utah, I think of Zion. A few notes on planning: most of the year the park runs a mandatory shuttle into Zion Canyon (you can’t drive it yourself), and if you want to hike the full length of the Narrows top-down, you’ll need a permit, but even a short section from the bottom is well worth it. Here are the hikes in Zion I get asked about most.
Angels Landing
Angels Landing is my favorite hike in Southern Utah. It’s both terrifying and beautiful. This hike doesn’t need much description. You’ve probably heard about it if you’ve looked into hiking in Zion. Tackling a 1,488-foot cliff isn’t for everyone, but if you’re up for the thrill, definitely give it a try. Note that a permit is required for the chain section, awarded through a lottery on the National Park Service website.
Scouts Lookout
Once you reach the chain section of Angels Landing, you have the choice to tackle the chains or continue on to Scouts Lookout instead. I think Scouts Lookout offers even better views in some ways, but it doesn’t have the same thrill as the chain section. It’s a great option if you’d rather skip the exposure but still want the payoff.
The Narrows in Zion National Park
The Narrows in Zion National Park is another incredibly popular hike. I’ve only hiked from the bottom up for about 4 miles in and then back out, and it was absolutely amazing. It’s a must-do hike in Southern Utah. If you want to do the entire hike top-down, you’ll need a permit, but even doing just a short section from the bottom is well worth it. Water shoes or rentable canyoneering boots make a big difference here.
Emerald Pools
Emerald Pools is a nice, easy hike in Zion. It offers some wonderful views and is great for taking your kids along. I enjoyed the hike, but it’s not my go-to in the area. It’s very popular, which means there are usually a lot of people, but it’s still a cool spot to check out.
Watchman Trail
The Watchman Trail in Zion is another very popular hike, and it’s a fun one. You get some great views of the park, and it starts right at the bottom of the parking lot near the visitor center, so there’s no need to worry about the shuttle. If you’re short on time, I highly recommend the Watchman Trail.
Mountain Biking in St. George
Mountain biking in St. George is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the area. People around the world hear about St. George and Virgin, Utah through huge events like Red Bull Rampage. Since moving down here, I’ve found mountain biking in Southern Utah lives up to the reputation, with gnarly terrain, beautiful vistas, and trails for every level. There are so many different trails that I’ve never ridden the same one more than twice; I like to explore and see what mountain biking in St. George is all about. The app I use to find trails is Trailforks. It gives you the location and a description of the terrain. Here are a few of my favorites.
Gooseberry Mesa
Located near Hurricane, Utah, this world-class trail network features technical singletrack, rolling slickrock, and stunning vistas. It’s a favorite among mountain bikers globally, and one of the rides visiting riders always ask about first.
Wire Mesa
This trail offers a mix of slickrock and singletrack with beautiful views of Zion National Park. It’s less technical than Gooseberry Mesa but still provides a fun ride for intermediate to advanced riders, with plenty of dispersed BLM camping right near the trailhead if you want to make a weekend of it.
Green Valley Trail System
There’s a variety of trails here, with diverse terrain and beautiful views. Highlights include the moderately challenging Green Valley Loop and the popular Bearclaw Poppy Trail, known for its flowy and moderate sections. It’s a solid choice when you want a fun ride without the exposure of Gooseberry.
Snake Hollow Bike Park
A versatile bike park in St. George designed for riders of all skill levels to practice and improve, with jump lines, flow trails, and skills features all in one spot, great for building confidence before heading out to the bigger trails.
Sand Hollow Reservoir
Sand Hollow State Park is another local favorite, only 20 minutes from downtown St. George. There’s a little bit for everyone here: swimming, water sports, off-roading, hiking, camping, fishing, and more. I’ve mostly gone swimming at the sandy beaches on the south side of the reservoir, though there are cliff-jumping spots around the reservoir too. It’s great relief from the St. George heat, and I’m looking forward to exploring more of the area.
Camping St. George Utah
Southern Utah, especially near St. George, offers an abundance of dispersed camping opportunities. While I’ve enjoyed many camping trips around Zion National Park, there’s so much more to explore in the area. One of our favorite tools for finding free campsites is the Gaia GPS app, which highlights all the BLM land available for camping. It’s a fantastic resource since you can camp for free on BLM land. There are plenty of websites with popular campsite recommendations, but we’ve found that exploring on our own often leads us to even better sites. A quick reminder: pack out everything you pack in, and check current fire restrictions before you go.
Rock Climbing St. George
Rock climbing in St. George is super popular among locals. With tons of amazing sandstone walls and boulders, there’s something for everyone. I’m pretty new to the sport and have mostly stuck to indoor climbing, but I’ve had the chance to try some outdoor bouldering and top rope. One of my favorite things about climbing down here is how close everything is, with incredible climbs just 5 to 25 minutes from downtown St. George. Some of the local spots I’ve climbed are Mo’s Canyon, Cougar Cliffs, and Dixie Rock.
Brian Head Ski Resort
Brian Head is a ski resort just an hour and a half from St. George, and it offers amazing, world-class views: skiing in the desert, with red rock formations visible in the distance. Despite being in the desert, it receives a good amount of snowfall each year, including some great powder days. I was really impressed by how much fun this small resort provided. It might be one of the lesser-known spots in Utah, but it’s definitely a fantastic local gem.
More to Explore in the St. George Outdoors
St. George and its surrounding areas offer a wealth of outdoor activities for every kind of adventurer. From breathtaking hikes in Snow Canyon and Zion National Park to thrilling mountain biking trails and serene spots for camping, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re hitting the slopes at Brian Head or exploring the unique rock formations around town, each experience showcases the incredible beauty of Southern Utah. As I continue to discover more hidden gems, I’ll keep updating this guide. There’s always more to see and do, so get out there and make the most of the stunning landscapes St. George has to offer.