St. George Outdoor Activities
St. George offers an abundance of breathtaking hikes within a convenient 20-30 minute drive from downtown St. George. This accessibility is one of the many reasons why hiking is such a popular outdoor activity in the area. While summer hikes are best enjoyed early in the morning to avoid the intense heat, the rest of the year provides ideal conditions for exploring the scenic trails. The app I use to find local trails is All Trails and ask locals what they recommend. All Trails gives the location, length, difficulty and pictures of the trail so you know what to expect. Although I haven’t hiked as much as I’d like in these beautiful local spots, here’s a list of my favorite hiking areas in St. George. Each offers its own unique beauty and outdoor experience.
Hiking St. George Utah
St. George offers an abundance of breathtaking hikes within a convenient 20-30 minute drive from downtown St. George. This accessibility is one of the many reasons why hiking is such a popular outdoor activity in the area. While summer hikes are best enjoyed early in the morning to avoid the intense heat, the rest of the year provides ideal conditions for exploring the scenic trails. The app I use to find local trails is All Trails and ask locals what they recommend. All Trails gives the location, length, difficulty and pictures of the trail so you know what to expect. Some of the local places to hike I recommend 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 Lava Tubes via the Lava Flow Trail, the Turtle Wall Paradise Rim Loop, and Chukawalla. They’re all pretty easy and can be hiked in anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Perfect for a quick outdoor escape!
Pioneer St. George Utah
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 is only an hour's drive from St. George Utah. When I think of Hiking in Southern Utah, I think of Zion National Park. Below are some hikes in Zion National Park and what I thought of each.
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!
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. I think Scouts Lookout offers even better views, but it doesn’t have the same thrill as the chain section.
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. A must-do hike in Southern Utah! If you want to do the entire hike, you need a permit, but even doing just a short section is well worth it.
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.
Watchmans 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, 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 Utah 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 Redbull Rampage. Moving down here I have found mountain biking in Southern Utah lives up to its reputation. With gnarly terrain and beautiful vistas, there are mountain bike trails for everyone to enjoy. There are so many different trails I have never ridden the same trail more than twice. I like to explore and see what mountain biking in St George Utah is all about. The app I use to find mountain bike trails is called Trail Forks. It gives you the location and a description of the terrain. I have listed some of my favorite trails to ride in the area below.
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.
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.
Green Valley Trail System
There are a variety of trails, 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.
Snake Hollow Bike Park
A versatile bike park in St. George, Utah, designed for riders of all skill levels to practice and improve their biking skills.
Sand Hollow Reservoir
Sand Hollow State Park is another local favorite only 20 minutes from downtown St. George. There is a little bit for everyone in Sand Hollow State Park, including swimming, water sports, off-roading, hiking, camping, fishing, and so much more. I have only gone swimming at the Sand Hollow Reservoir but look forward to exploring the area more. We swam at the sandy beaches on the south side of the reservoir but there are also cliff jumping spots around the resurvour. I enjoyed swimming in the Sand Hollow Reservoir as it brought great relief from the St. George heat.
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 Gai 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. While there are many websites where you can find popular campsite recommendations, we’ve discovered that exploring on our own often leads us to even better sites.
Rock Climbing St. George
Rock climbing in St. George, Utah, is super popular among the 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, there are incredible climbs just 5 to 25 minutes from downtown St. George. Some of the local places I have 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, Utah, and it offers amazing, world-class views. Skiing in the desert, you can enjoy the sight of red rock formations 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 that cater to every adventure seeker’s taste. 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 and outdoor adventures, I hope this guide serves as a helpful resource for your own explorations. There’s always more to see and do, so get out there and make the most of the stunning landscapes that St. George has to offer!