Best Things in Southern Utah

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As many times as we’ve visited Southern Utah it never disappoints. It has every outdoor adventure you can think of and is absolutely stunning. Proof lies in the many MANY National Parks nestled so close to one another. Better yet, it is all very affordable, making it the perfect family destination. St. George is the largest city in the Southern part of Utah and is a great place to stay as you discover the beauty of the region with all the comforts of the city.

Our family visits the area often from Southern California since it is a relatively quick drive at a little over 5 hours. We have had only wonderful experiences and adventures during our travels. If you are a first time visitor you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of things to do. I still feel that way. My first recommendation to fully appreciate the beauty of the area is to suggest a visit during the cooler months (Fall, Winter or Spring). The summer can be brutal, I mean, it is technically the desert. So, while it is still equally pretty, it’s dang hot! During the cooler months the weather is marvelous and the scenery is awe inspiring and you can more easily enjoy it all while being outdoors!

So, if you are visiting the St. George area or Southern Utah for this first time, here are the top 10 things I would recommend adding to your itinerary.

#1: Zion National Park

Zion National Park in Southern Utah should be top of your bucket list.

If you were to visit only one place, this should be it! Zion is about 45 minutes outside of St. George making it a perfect day trip. Or, plan on camping inside the park; The Watchman Campground is a family favorite of ours. Zion National Park has become quite popular in the last few years. In 2019 it had more visitors than Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks! And, for good reason. You will see scenic rugged red mountains, valleys, plants, animals, and the virgin river cutting it’s way throughout the breathtakingly beautiful park at every turn. It is unbelievably gorgeous and so unique because of the red mountains you won’t see in many other places. But, get there early because the crowds are intense during peak season and parking can get rough.

Eating ice cream on the grass outside the Zion Lodge is one of our favorite activities on a hot summer day while camping at The Watchman Campgrounds.

What to do in Zion National Park?

-Our favorite family hikes in Zion National Park: The narrows (we’ve never done the whole thing, just out and back as long as the kids were enjoying it). This is a unique hike and one that is Just. So. Fun! This trail has you hiking right up the Virgin River. Yes, in the water. Sometimes in water as deep as your stomach. Bring good shoes with ankle support, and a walking stick, both available to rent at the entrance of the park. For more tips to hiking the narrows go here.

–Emerald Pools has 3 levels/pools and makes for a great day hike. An easyish hike for most! Plus, if you start pooping out, you don’t have to hit all three pools, although the last one in my opinion is the best.

–The river walk trail is 1 mile and can be done by just about anyone. I would call this one more of a nature walk. It takes you to the start of the narrows, but is scenic and relaxing as a stand alone hike.

Fall in Zion is a very different experience. It is too cold to play in the water, but the colors are extraordinary.

–Another hike just about anyone could (and should) do is Weeping Rock. We never miss this one! Great view, easy hike and the rock always has water seeping from it.

The view from the top of the Weeping Rock Hike. An incredibly easy hike in Zion National Park with a great end result.

–If you are with older, more experience hikers and looking for a hike that will (and I promise) knock your socks off, I recommend Angel’s Landing. This is not one to do if you are afraid of heights and aren’t comfortable on ledges with only a small chain link guard as your railing. But the ending is absolutely postcard and instagram worthy. We’ve even lucked out and had the condors fly level with us during this hike; it was a once in a lifetime experience.

The Angel’s Landing hike is a bit precarious and is not for the faint of heart. But, it provides a bird’s eye view of the entire park that is unmatched!

–And the Pa’Rus bike trail there is the BEST! Load your bike on the shuttle, take it up, unload and cruise downhill. Easy and fun for even the smallest/laziest (guilty) of riders.

The Pa’Rus bike trail in Zion National Park can be reached by loading your bike on the shuttle and should be done. It is so easy and fun!

#2: Snow Canyon State Park

This is the area you want to check out if you are into the great outdoors. Known for the amazing mountain bike trails, hiking spots, horse riding, and more. We have gone in a number of times to check out different areas and have never been left wanting. My personal favorite are the lava tubes. For more info on this trail see here.

Be sure to check out the lava tubes at Snow Canyon in St. George

#3: Dixie Rock or Pioneer Park

The official name is Pioneer Park, but let’s be real, it’s the Dixie Sign. And it’s a gem of a place! This area is perfect to hike/boulder around, explore and take in the beauty of the red rocks of St. George. We love the mini slot canyons there, although, they are definitely NOT for you if you consider yourself on the claustrophobic side (I’m laughing at you cousin), and the views of the whole city and beautiful city landmarks from above the DIXIE are unmatched. What makes this spot so great is any age can do something there.

The view from above the Dixie sign in St. George at Pioneer Park is amazing.

Pioneer Park in St. George has something for everyone. It is a great place to play around and explore.

#4: Sand Hollow State Park

Imagine clear blue water surrounded by red sandstone. It’s amazing!!! This is one of Utah’s newer State Parks and one of the most popular because of the many options of activities available. Ride the dunes of Sand Mountain on an off-road vehicle (ATV, dirt-bike, razors, etc). Spend your time on the water playing in a boat or paddle board, fish, or simply lounge on the sandy shore. This is a picturesque spot to spend an afternoon with a plethora of activities to do or simply for spending a day just hanging out.

Sand Hollow State Park in Southern Utah is an outdoorsman’s dream. Plenty of space and opportunity to play and get dirty!!!

#5: Tuacahn Theater

High class Broadway productions at an unbelievable cool outdoor amphitheater. Tuacahn from the Mayan word “Canyon of the Gods” perfectly sums up the ambiance of this stage. This outdoor theater is flanked by the large red cliffs St. George is known for, creating a natural backdrop and natural beauty to the world class shows put on to bring the desert to life during the warm months.

#6: Thunder Junction All Abilities Park

My kids beg and beg to go to this park every time we visit St. George, and I almost never say no because I love it too!!!! This dinosaur themed park is free to get in, and accessible for everyone, including wheelchairs! Enjoy the water features, erupting “volcano” at the splash pad, slides, mini zipline, fun park features and a $1 train that circles the park. There’s so much to do, this park is perfect for getting energy out and playtime in! There is also a snack bar there, so if you aren’t prepared with a picnic lunch, you won’t have to leave to get food.

#7: St. George Children’s Museum

Touch, feel, play and explore the twelve different and individual rooms at the St. George Children’s Museum. The museum encourages learning through play and experience. Children will love this hands on experience, as they grow and have fun at each of the imaginative exhibits!!!

Photo Credit: stgeorgechildrensmuseum.org

#8: Dinosaur Tracks

For all the Ross Gellars in your family (aka dinosaur enthusiasts) then St. George is the place to be! The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm is a unique experience. Of course most people go to see the actual fossils discovered there, but the life-sized models of prehistoric animals and the working fossil preparation lab is pretty neat as well. This site is the oldest Jurassic dinosaur site in Utah but it is also the best Jurassic track site in all of Western North America. Pretty cool right?!

However, if you are looking for a neat hike that takes you right by dinosaur prints out in nature check out The Dino Cliffs Trail-head. At the start of the hike you will walk right by actual dino prints. Look carefully or you might just hike right by them… speaking from experience here. Read the signs and know that the prints are directly after the large sand hill (the only hard part of the hike, but it is also the trail-head). The rest of the hike after the prints is quite stunning and the cliffs you end at are absolutely spectacular! And they do indeed look prehistoric.

The Dino Cliff’s Trail in St. George will take you right by real live dinosaur prints right out in nature. But, look for signs or you just might miss them!

#9: Red Reef Recreation Area

This may not be the most popular hike in the area, but I think it is one of my personal favorites, and it just might be yours too. The Red Reef trail is pretty easy and takes you to incredible places, and provides some incredible views the Southwest is known for: mini arches, and fun “obstacles” like a rope ladder taking you over boulders near a small waterfall, plus the beautiful cliffs all around you. Maybe I shouldn’t be sharing this gem, because it is just such a hidden treasure.

The Red Reef Trail will take you by a small arch, over streams and even to a small waterfall you can view by climbing into the cliff using a rope ladder. It is a great time!

#10: SWIG!!!

Ok, this may not be an actual “site” to see. However, if you are a carbonation connoisseur like I am (one Dirty Diet Coke please!) then you will love this place, and it’s not just for the soda! Don’t get me wrong, I’ll go there simply for a Dirty Diet Coke all day, errrrrday, but they have some of the best cookies on. the. PLANET! There are other people that might debate me on this, but those cookies are among the best. Plus they have a wide variety of options of different soda blends (carbonated and not carbonated) along with other delicious variables of drinks that anyone would and probably will love. It is always a must stop location for us!

As if this wasn’t enough, the whole of Southern Utah is just crawling with excitement, energy and options. If you are looking for more amazing sites and a little drive is not a deterrent, you might also consider the drive to Lake Powell about 2.5 hours away. See horseshoe bend, Lone Rock and the majesty of this giant bright blue lake surrounded by large red rocks and canyons. The perfect place to take out a houseboat and enjoy a week on the water. Or Bryce Canyon National Park is not too far (a little over 2 hours away) and the landscape there is jaw dropping! Truly, this entire area is a perfect specimen of what natural beauty is! So whether you are a nature lover, hiker, outdoorsman, artist, adventurer, snow bird, or family looking for the perfect family vacation spot, St. George is the place for you!

For other great vacation spots check out the Oregon Coast here, and Mazatlan Mexico here. And, for our best road-trip tips with kids, see this post.