Hiking Trails in St. George, Utah

Petrified Dunes, Jenny's Canyon, Lava Tubes, and Johnson Arch are just a few of the stunning trails inside Snow Canyon. Easy to moderate difficulty with red and white sandstone formations, ancient lava flows, and desert wildlife. Just 15 minutes from downtown St. George.

Babylon Arch, White Reef, and Cottonwood Trail wind through dramatic red sandstone canyons and desert washes. Trails range from easy strolls to challenging scrambles. Home to protected desert tortoise habitat and ancient geological formations.

World-famous Angels Landing, The Narrows river hike, Observation Point, Emerald Pools, and Canyon Overlook Trail. Just 45 minutes from St. George, Zion offers bucket-list hikes through towering sandstone cliffs and narrow slot canyons.

Dixie Rock, rim trails, and city overlook paths offer quick hikes right in the heart of St. George. Easy walks with panoramic views of the city and surrounding red rock landscape. Perfect for sunrise or sunset outings.

Dixie Red Hills, Toquerville Falls, and Hurricane Rim Trail provide great desert variety. Sand Hollow State Park combines hiking with reservoir access. The Hurricane area offers lesser-known gems with fewer crowds.

Lava Tubes in Snow Canyon, Jenny's Canyon, Riverside Walk in Zion, and easy canyon walks throughout the region. Short distances, minimal elevation gain, and fascinating geological features keep kids engaged and families smiling.

Angels Landing's chain section, West Rim Trail, Gooseberry Mesa, and technical canyoneering routes push experienced hikers to their limits. Multi-hour and overnight options with significant elevation gain and exposed terrain.

Pine Valley Mountains, Dixie National Forest, and Signal Peak offer higher-elevation escapes from summer desert heat. Alpine meadows, pine forests, and cooler temperatures provide a refreshing contrast to the red rock desert below.

What are the best hiking trails in St. George Utah?

The best hiking trails in St. George include Snow Canyon State Park (Petrified Dunes, Jenny's Canyon, Lava Tubes), Red Cliffs Desert Reserve (Babylon Arch, White Reef), and Pioneer Park for easy city hikes. Zion National Park is just 45 minutes away with Angels Landing, The Narrows, and Emerald Pools. For variety, explore Sand Hollow, Hurricane Rim, and Toquerville Falls. St. George offers over 100 trails ranging from easy paved paths to challenging scrambles.

Are there easy hikes near St. George?

Yes, St. George has many easy hikes perfect for beginners and families. Jenny's Canyon in Snow Canyon State Park is a short, flat walk through a beautiful slot canyon. The Petrified Dunes trail offers easy walking on sandstone formations. Pioneer Park and Dixie Rock provide gentle city trails with panoramic views. The Lava Tubes trail is easy and fascinating for all ages. Red Cliffs has several flat trail options, and Riverside Walk in Zion is a paved, accessible path along the Virgin River.

How far is Zion National Park from St. George?

Zion National Park's south entrance at Springdale is approximately 45 minutes (40 miles) from St. George via Interstate 15 and Highway 9. The Kolob Canyons section of Zion is even closer, about 25 minutes from St. George off I-15 Exit 40. Many St. George visitors use the city as a base camp for Zion day trips, taking advantage of more affordable lodging and dining options while enjoying easy access to the park.

Can you hike year-round in St. George?

Yes, St. George is one of the best year-round hiking destinations in the country thanks to over 300 days of sunshine and mild winters averaging 50-60°F. Fall (October-November) and spring (March-May) offer the most comfortable temperatures. Winter hiking is excellent with daytime highs of 55-65°F. Summer hiking is possible with early morning starts before 8 AM, as afternoon temperatures can exceed 100°F. Higher elevation trails in Pine Valley Mountains provide cooler summer alternatives.

What are the best family hikes near Zion?

The best family hikes near Zion include Riverside Walk (paved, flat, 2.2 miles round trip), Lower Emerald Pool Trail (easy 1.2-mile loop with a waterfall), Canyon Overlook Trail (1-mile moderate hike with incredible views), and Pa'rus Trail (paved, bike-friendly, 3.5 miles). Near St. George, Snow Canyon's Jenny's Canyon and Lava Tubes are excellent family-friendly options. Red Cliffs has easy trails through red sandstone that kids love exploring.

Do you need a permit to hike in Snow Canyon?

You do not need a hiking permit for Snow Canyon State Park, but you do need to pay the park entrance fee ($10 per vehicle for day use as of 2025). An annual Utah State Parks pass covers unlimited visits. No reservation is needed for day hiking. For Zion National Park, most trails are included with park admission ($35 per vehicle), but Angels Landing requires a permit obtained through a lottery system. Always check current requirements before visiting.

What should I bring hiking in Southern Utah?

Essential hiking gear for Southern Utah includes plenty of water (at least 1 liter per hour in summer), sun protection (hat, sunscreen SPF 50+, sunglasses), sturdy hiking shoes or boots, a trail map or GPS app, snacks with electrolytes, and layers for temperature changes. In summer, start early and bring extra water. In winter, pack a light jacket for canyon shade. Always carry a first aid kit, tell someone your plans, and check weather conditions. Flash flood awareness is critical during monsoon season (July-September).

Are there lava tubes to hike through near St. George?

Yes, the Lava Tubes trail in Snow Canyon State Park is one of the most popular and unique hikes near St. George. The 1.5-mile round trip trail leads to a collapsed lava tube that you can climb down into and explore. The trail is easy and family-friendly, though the lava tube itself requires some scrambling. Bring a flashlight or headlamp to explore the darker sections. The lava tubes were formed by ancient volcanic activity that shaped much of Snow Canyon's dramatic landscape.

St. George, Utah is the undisputed hiking capital of Southern Utah, offering an extraordinary network of over 100 trails set against some of the most dramatic desert scenery in the American Southwest. With more than 300 days of sunshine annually and mild winter temperatures averaging 50-60°F, St. George provides year-round access to world-class trails that draw hikers from around the globe. Snow Canyon State Park, just 15 minutes from downtown, delivers iconic desert hikes through petrified sand dunes, ancient lava tubes, and towering Navajo sandstone cliffs. The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve protects thousands of acres of pristine desert wilderness with trails like Babylon Arch, White Reef, and the Cottonwood Canyon system that wind through slot canyons and past geological formations spanning millions of years. Zion National Park, only 45 minutes east, needs no introduction with legendary trails including Angels Landing, The Narrows, Observation Point, and Emerald Pools ranking among the most sought-after hikes in the National Park System.

What makes St. George uniquely special for hiking is the convergence of three distinct ecosystems: the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Basin transition zone. This geological crossroads creates astonishing trail diversity, from flat family-friendly walks through lava tubes and slot canyons to strenuous mountain ascents in the Pine Valley Mountains and Dixie National Forest where elevations exceed 10,000 feet. Pioneer Park and Dixie Rock offer quick urban hikes with panoramic city views, while the Hurricane and Sand Hollow areas provide lesser-known desert gems with fewer crowds. Whether you are a first-time visitor looking for an easy morning walk, a family seeking kid-friendly adventures, or an experienced backcountry hiker planning a multi-day wilderness trek, St. George serves as the perfect base camp for exploring one of America's most spectacular outdoor regions. Local outfitters, guided tour companies, and gear shops throughout the area ensure you have everything you need for safe, memorable desert hiking experiences.