Southern Utah National Parks
Zion National Park
The main entrance to Zion National Park is just 45 minutes from downtown St. George. Taking the shuttle is a great way to tour the Park, especially since most private cars are not allowed into the canyon while it runs. The Zion Park shuttle runs from late March until late October and operates daily from 6:30 a.m. until about 9:30 p.m.
The shuttle will take you on a six mile scenic drive into Zion Canyon, you can get on and off as often as you like to enjoy the view. Private cars are allowed in the canyon only during the winter months.
Many of the hikes in Zion National Park are located along this short section of road in the canyon. A few of the most popular hikes are Weeping Rock (.5 miles), Temple of Sinawava Walk (2 miles), and Emerald Pools (2.4 miles).
Don’t forget to take water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, and your camera. Be sure to wear good walking shoes. The shuttle will pick you up at the Zion Park Visitors Center just inside the gates of the Park. On your way back, be sure and take some time to tour the Visitors Center, and the Zion Human History Museum, which offers an outstanding movie (free of charge) as well as some interesting displays about Zion’s history.
When you exit the canyon you will want to visit the Zion Canyon Giant Screen Theater, which shows the epic Kieth Merrill film “Zion Canyon: Treasure of the Gods” on a six story high IMAX screen.
Snow Canyon State Park
Snow Canyon not only has over 16 miles of hiking trails that wind through the red rocks of Southern Utah, but there are also trails for biking and horseback riding. There are designated campsites and picnic areas. The scenery is ideal for photography. If you’re a rock climber, make sure not to miss stopping by Snow Canyon’s famous Circus Wall. It’s a wonderful state park to visit where you won’t feel overwhelmed, and can visit multiple trails in a day. For more information, check out their site here, utah.com/stateparks/snow_canyon.htm
Easy to follow directions of how to get there from I-15 northbound: Take exit 6 (Bluff Street). Go north on Bluff Street to the intersection with Snow Canyon Parkway. Turn left onto Snow Canyon Parkway and proceed approximately 3.5 miles, then turn right onto Snow Canyon Drive. Follow that road to the park’s south entrance.
Seasons/Open Hours:
Year-Round – 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. No holiday closures.
Bryce Canyon National Park
As with most parks in Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is home to some amazing hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-roading trails. Being around two and a half hours north from Saint George, Bryce Canyon is the perfect day trip for viewing one of Utah’s most stunning rock formations. If you want to stay there a few days, there are even areas to pitch a campsite, with plenty of backcountry trails to keep you busy for a few days.
For more information on Bryce Canyon, check out their site: utah.com/nationalparks/bryce.htm
Lake Powell National Park
At a driving distance of around three hours or so from Saint George, you can enjoy some of the best boating conditions in Utah. Open to kayaking, water sports (such as water-skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing), fishing, and hiking, you’ll have enough to do there to last you more than a few days. It’s a great place to visit with your family.
For more information or directions to Lake Powell from Saint George, visit their website: lakepowell.com/
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is one of the most well-known National Parks in America, and it’s only three hours away from Saint George. Most people think that the only thing to do at the Grand Canyon is to take in the breathtaking view of the mile deep canyon, but there’s much more to experience than just sightseeing! Not only are there a great deal of trails present in the canyon itself, but activities around the canyon are plentiful. There’s an activity for any time of the year, be it horseback riding, fishing, biking, ATV and 4X4 tours, aerial tours, rock climbing and rappelling, camping, or river running.
Visit their site for more information on activities, directions, and park info: nps.gov/grca/index.htm
Capitol Reef National Park
About four and a half hours from Saint George, Capitol Reef wraps around the Waterpocket Fold, a nearly hundred-mile wrinkle in the earth’s crust. A paved scenic drive takes you past red cliffs and slot canyons, while the historic Fruita orchards still offer seasonal fruit picking. Popular hikes include Hickman Bridge, Cassidy Arch, and the Grand Wash, and the park’s certified dark skies make it one of the best places in Utah for stargazing.
For more information on Capitol Reef, check out their site: nps.gov/care/index.htm
Arches National Park
Roughly five and a half hours northeast of Saint George near Moab, Arches protects more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches along with towering fins, balanced rocks, and slickrock domes. Delicate Arch, the Windows Section, Double Arch, and the trails of Devils Garden are the highlights, and many viewpoints sit only a short walk from the main park road. Timed entry reservations are often required during the busy spring through fall season, so check the park website before you drive out.
For more information on Arches, check out their site: nps.gov/arch/index.htm
Canyonlands National Park
A short drive past Arches, Canyonlands is carved into four distinct districts by the Green and Colorado rivers. Island in the Sky delivers sweeping overlooks such as Mesa Arch and Grand View Point within an easy drive, The Needles rewards day hikers with colorful spires and desert canyons, and the remote Maze and river corridors are built for backpackers, rafters, and four-wheel-drive adventures like the White Rim Road. Pack plenty of water, since there is very little shade or drinking water in the park.
For more information on Canyonlands, check out their site: nps.gov/cany/index.htm