St. George, UT located in beautiful Southern Utah is the perfect gateway to explore some of the Southwest’s best desert gems, including one major national park and four state parks all within an hour’s drive or less. It’s also the ideal place to take a family vacation with a plethora of outdoor activities and adventures suited for any age! St. George, Utah is the gateway to outdoor family fun!
This post is sponsored by Visit St. George and Travel Mindset, however all content and opinions are our own.
The view from the top of Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah
In our opinion, the best time of year to travel to Southern Utah is Spring and Fall because the temperatures are just right (not too hot, nor too cold) and you’ll enjoy the outdoors without the hordes of tourists that often flock here in the Summer. During the Spring months, you can enjoy the lush green growth on the trees and grasses and in the Fall, the colorful golden hues of the leaves.
Fall color in Zion National Park, Utah
There are plenty of fun family activities and things to do right in St. George, Utah with bike paths, restaurants and shops, and museums, but if you’re like us and crave outdoor adventures in incredibly scenic landscapes, you will love it here.
With places like Zion National Park and four state parks in the surrounding area–Snow Canyon State Park, Sand Hollow State Park and Reservoir, Quail Creek State Park and Gunlock State Park and Reservoir, St. George is a one big giant playground. And if hiking isn’t your thing, there is an adventure for everyone here from biking, zip lining, canyoneering, rock climbing, fishing and more.
Canyoneering is a popular outdoor recreation activity in Southern Utah.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park is by far the biggest attraction in the St. George area and for good reason–it’s one of the most uniquely breathtaking and unforgettable national parks in all of the U.S. And the bonus is it sits just an hour outside of St. George, Utah. With hiking trails to fit any fitness level and age, red rock to scamper and climb, slot canyons to explore, and incredible vistas all around, Zion is truly a feast for the eyes.
When you first step foot in Zion, you will most likely wonder how this place is real. From the towering sandstone canyon walls, to the glimmering Virgin River that cuts through the park, to the scenic overlooks, it’s easy to fall in love with Zion.
Hiking up the spine to Angel’s Landing
There are a few famous hikes in Zion that are definitely worth the hype and effort but trust us, you’ll want to get an early start in the day (catch the first shuttle at 7AM!) to beat the crowds depending on the time of year you’re here. These trails are popular for a reason. If you’re in search of epic views, don’t miss Angel’s Landing, but be forewarned–this hike isn’t for the faint of heart or those afraid of heights. We also wouldn’t recommend taking young children on this trail.
Observation Point is our favorite hike for the amazing vista at the top, and Emerald Pools is a great, easier hike for young children. This trail is especially beautiful in the Spring if there is a lot of water runoff, creating gorgeous waterfalls. The Canyon Overlook trail is another easy trail suitable for families with little kids.
If you’re here in the Spring, you might see more than just a trickle of water cascading over the Emerald Pools.
Rated one of the world’s best slot canyon hikes and arguably the most famous trail in all of Zion National Park is The Narrows. The narrow, steep canyon walls that surround you the entire 16 miles as you slosh your way down (or up if you hike from the bottom) the Virgin River will mesmerize you.
If you choose to do this hike from the top down, be aware that permits are required (for overnight camping) and either a shuttle service or another car will be needed in your group. This hike is EPIC in every way though and we definitely recommend adding this hike to your bucket list. It is one trail you will be talking about for a long time.
It’s hard to forget the narrow, tall canyon walls of The Narrows. This hike will undoubtedly become one of your all-time favorite hikes.
Snow Canyon State Park
Known for its unique geological features, Snow Canyon State Park is made up of volcanic cones and layered rock, sand dunes, and red sandstone cliffs. Less than 45 min away from the hub of St. George, Snow Canyon makes for a great day trip with tons of hiking and walking trails, campgrounds, caves to explore, and wildlife viewing.
Some of our favorite trails include Scout Cave, the Lava Tubes, Jenny Canyon, and the Hidden Pinyon trail (all less than 4 miles long). All of these trails are very family-friendly and super fun for kids. If you do the Lava Tubes, make sure to bring headlamps!
Hidden Pinyon Canyon is a scenic hike in Snow Canyon that is perfect for a half day adventure.
There are some awesome sand dunes at Snow Canyon State Park and as long as they aren’t too hot, kids can spend hours upon hours playing in the sand here. There are also equestrian tours if you want to ride horses and lots of great spots to just pull over and have a scenic picnic lunch or dinner. Snow Canyon is not to be missed!
Jenny’s Slot Canyon is a great, easy hike for kids with places to climb the rocks!
Sand Hollow State Park
This desert oasis located just outside of St. George, UT, Sand Hollow State Park rests mostly on BLM land and is one of the most visited (and largest) destinations within the Utah State Park system. In the Summer, Sand Hollow is a refreshing escape from the intense heat providing ample recreational opportunities for boating, swimming, waterskiing, wakeboarding and fishing on its sprawling lake.
If you love to ride ATV’s, Sand Hollow has over 15,000 acres of sand dunes, as well as miles of hiking and equestrian trails too. Camping is popular here as well, so if you are looking to go camping at Sand Hollow during the peak season of Summer, make sure to secure reservations.
Sand Hollow State Park is a welcome escape from the Summer heat just outside St. George, Utah.
Quail Creek State Park and Gunlock State Park
Not nearly as big as Sand Hollow, but equally as refreshing in the Summer months lies Quail Creek State Park. With excellent fishing and camping all year round, this lake is a fisherman’s haven as it is always stocked with rainbow trout, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie. In the heat of the Summer, Quail Creek is a paradise for boaters, paddle boarders and swimmers alike.
You can even rent paddle boards right on the lake at Dig Paddlesports or Outdoor Rush in St. George.
Quail Creek Reservoir. Photo courtesy of Joe Newman via Visit St. George.
Lesser known Gunlock State Park is not to be overestimated. Like Sand Hollow and Quail Creek, this awesome state park provides camping, swimming, boating and other water sports.
Other Areas of Interest Near St. George
One of our favorite areas and hidden gems to explore near St. George is the Red Cliffs Recreation Area, just north of St. George in Leeds, UT. It’s the perfect place for a half or full day adventure with kids offering short hiking trails, slot canyons, petroglyphs, swimming holes and rocks to climb. We love the Red Reef trail especially because it combines hiking with swimming (if you choose), and a section of trail that requires holding onto rope. Kids will feel a little like Indiana Jones for the day!
Exploring the Red Reef trail in Red Cliffs Recreation Area
Another great outdoor family activity for kids of all ages is the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site located at Johnson Farm. This rare site preserves a 200 million year old lake ecosystem that includes dinosaurs, plants, fishes, and other prehistoric animals. In addition to a museum with real-life restorations of animals from the early Jurassic era, there are lots of hands-on activities and a Dino Park where kids can discover dinosaur footprints and bones.
Last but not least is Kanarra Creek Falls, a stunning hike located in Kanarraville, UT about 45 minutes from St. George. This moderate hike takes you up a creek in a beautiful slot canyon up to Kanarraville Falls where there is a wooden ladder. It’s definitely worth going to and a fun day’s adventure!
Kanarraville Falls, one of the most scenic hikes around St. George.
If you’re looking for more outdoor adventures in Southern Utah, make sure to visit Visit St. George for loads more activities to do with kids! And if you really love hiking, we have 10 more epic family-friendly hiking trails not to be missed in the area, most of which are unknown to most tourists, so if you’re looking to get a little off-the-beaten path, these are some good suggestions!