The 35 Best Things to Do in St George, Utah

👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do in St. George | Outdoor Activities | City Activities

St. George is more than a great base camp for visiting top Utah national parks. It’s also a mecca full of slot canyons, rock climbing routes, fun city museums, and family attractions.

As a Southwesterner who’s spent copious time in Utah, I’m pretty well versed with the ins and outs of the red sandstone state. I’ll help you devise the best itinerary suited to your travel interests. I’ve also got a guide on staying in St. George if you need lodging recommendations!

35 Best Things to Do in St. George, Utah

Zion National Park

Red sandstone valleys and slot canyons appeal to even the most devout city folks.

View of the red sandstone valleys from the Angels Landing trail — *Views along the Angels Landing trail*

Travel Lemming Editor Abigail Bliss and her friend canyoneering in Zion National Park — *Editor Abigail and her friend canyoneering in Zion*

This southern Utah destination is one of the coolest national parks in Utah. Explore a wide variety of hiking trails, slot canyons, and rock climbing routes.

Visiting Zion National Park in the summer? Wade through the Narrows or try one of several canyoneering tours to beat the heat. You’ll want to stay away from slot canyons during monsoon season due to flooding risks, so try the Watchman Trail or Angels Landing instead.

Campgrounds are available in the park, though I highly recommend the free BLM sites just outside the entrance.

Bryce Canyon National Park

This sea of copper hoodoo formations creates a fun, playground-like hiking environment.

Closeup view of the herd of sheep in Bryce Canyon National Park — *Here’s a closer look: check the bottom center!*

Bryce Canyon National Park is another famous destination in Utah, located only 2 hours from St. George. Whimsical formations called hoodoos set the stage at Bryce Canyon. Hiking among the staggering stone characters makes for a unique experience in the park.

Try to make it to Bryce Point for sunrise or sunset, one of my favorite activities. The whole hoodoo canyon comes alive with soft hues, transforming the landscape at these times. Dogs are not allowed on the hiking trails, but they’re welcome at the sunset viewpoints — all the more reason to visit.

Kanab

Sandwiched between national parks, this town boasts its own selection of slot canyons and fun hiking trails.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 644-2534 | Kanab Website | 👉 Book an ATV Adventure through Peek-a-boo Canyon

Most Utah visitors skip past this town when headed to the national parks. But I suggest staying for a night or two to explore the fun things to do in Kanab. Check out cool hikes or visit the Little Hollywood desert film museum for a true Wild West experience.

My favorite place to explore near Kanab is the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This wilderness area is less visited than other popular recreation areas in Utah and holds just as much magic in its slot canyon walls.

I also recommend snagging a permit to hike Buckskin Gulch or The Wave. See my guide on where to stay in Kanab, as there’s so much to experience in this lesser-visited area.

Snow Canyon State Park

Explore lava caves and stargaze at this expansive state park, which has been the site of many Western films.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 628-2255 | Snow Canyon State Park Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: $15 per vehicle

Ancient lava flows intermingle with sandstone cliffs at Snow Canyon State Park. This site was once home to ancestral dwellers, as evident in the artifacts found throughout the park.

Additionally, Snow Canyon was the filming location of many Western movies. Wander around the dense desert landscape and imagine yourself transported to the days of Butch Cassidy and other desert outlaws.

Hiking, photography, camping, and wildlife spotting are top activities in the state park. Bring a telescope and admire the undisrupted view of the galaxy up close.

📚 Related Reading:Utah Packing List

Goosebumps Bike Trail

Put your mountain biking skills to the test on this wild adventure of a singletrack ride.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 688-3200 | Goosebumps Bike Trail Website | Hours: Sunrise – sunset daily | Entrance: Free

The Goosebumps trail is a 3.5-mile wild adventure for mountain biking enthusiasts. Technical terrain and roller coaster drops make this fun intermediate track best for bikers with a bit of experience.

While the bulk of the main trail is a bit challenging, there are side trails better suited for mountain biking novices. This singletrack path can only be reached via the Jem Trail, Cryptobionic Trail, or the Dead Ringer Trail.

Grafton Ghost Town

It may be covered in rust today, but this was a booming settlement in its heyday.

View of an old wooden school house in the middle of the desert — *An old wooden school house*

📍 Google Maps | Grafton Ghost Town Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book a Jeep Tour to Grafton Ghost Town

Grafton Ghost Town uncovers the mysteries of the state’s gold rush past. Wander through historic streets, past old mines, and through the remnants of abandoned buildings.

Grafton was established in 1859. However, subsidence was hard to come by and crops planted by its first settlers repeatedly failed. The site was quickly abandoned by 1866. Since then, it’s been in countless movies and is visited today by hundreds of weekly visitors.

Jacob Hamblin Home

This historic home once served as the living quarters for an early Mormon missionary.

An old Mormon wagon at the bottom of Capitol Reef National Park — *An old Mormon wagon*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 677-6230 | Jacob Hamblin Home Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat, 12 pm – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: Free

From 1863 to 1870, this brick structure housed the Southern Utah Indian Mission president and his family. Jacob Hamblin was an early missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This historic site educates visitors about Utah’s Indigenous past and what life was like for settlers on the frontier in the early days of the state. It’s the perfect outing for history lovers and museum frequenters alike.

St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site

See real fossilized dinosaur tracks at this unique St. George site.

Closeup view of a footprint of a Dinosaur — *Dinosaur footprints*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 574-3466 | St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $10 adults, $9 seniors, $5 ages 5-17, free under 5

The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site is filled with thousands of fossilized dinosaur footprints. Your kids will be raving about this fun attraction for weeks on end. I mean, who wouldn’t have a blast walking among ancient dinosaur remnants?

Visit this Johnson Farm site to learn more about these prehistoric creatures during a scheduled talk or event. Discovering relics of the ancient past is hands down one of the best things to do in Utah.

Town Square Park

The perfect place to rest in between fun St. George attractions.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 627-4530 | Town Square Park Website | Hours: 10 am – 7:30 pm Sun-Thurs, 9 am – 10 pm Fri & Sat | Entrance: Free

Town Square Park is a great spot to meet locals or unwind with a good book after a long day of exploring. Kids will love the carousel in the middle of the park, as well as the fountain on hot days. Find this quaint attraction in the Historic Downtown District.

Red Hills Desert Garden

Bring a book or a picnic to this endangered species garden featuring hundreds of native plants.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 673-3617 | Red Hills Desert Garden Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Red Hills Desert Garden features both endangered species and prehistoric tracks dating back 200 million years. It’s one of my favorite places to take photos in St. George. Go in your best dress and pose for a special occasion — or simply to commemorate your vacation!

Outdoor Activities in St. George

Yankee Doodle Hollow

An easy slot canyon for adventurers of all fitness levels.

📍 Google Maps | Yankee Doodle Hollow Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Yankee Doodle Hollow is a short 0.8-mile hike and one of the best slot canyons in Utah. Seasoned canyoneers can bring a rope and rappel down into the canyon, while beginners can tackle the enclosed space on foot.

An adventure through Yankee Doodle Hollow includes shimmying your way over boulders caught between canyon walls and treading through water (depending on the season).

Biking in Springdale

Ride past towering canyon walls and resident mule deer in Zion National Park.

The author McKenna Mobley with a friend, posing for a photo at the Pa’rus Trail in Zion National Park — *Taking a photo break on the Pa’rus Trail in Zion National Park*

View of the bikers along the Pa’rus Trail in Zion National Park — *We had to carry our bikes up to the museum via the Pa’rus Trail*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 772-3434 | Springdale Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Mon-Fri | 👉 Book a Guided Mountain Bike Tour on Viator

Biking is a great way to experience Zion from a new perspective. You can bring your own bike or get one from a rental shop in downtown Springdale, the town right outside of the park entrance.

I love biking on the Pa’rus Trail in Zion National Park, one of the best places to visit in Utah, because it’s the only trail that allows dogs. Cycling to the Narrows Trailhead is also fun and entirely safe being that no cars are allowed on the route.

Quail Creek State Park

Check out the cooling waters of this state park, the perfect place to spend lazy summer days.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 879-2378 | Quail Creek State Park Website | Hours: 7 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $15 per resident vehicle, $25 per out-of-state vehicle

Quail Creek is known for having some of the warmest waters year-round, making it a prime location for boating and fishing. You’ll often find me relaxing lakeside at Quail Creek State Park come summertime in St. George.

Interested in camping in Utah? Several sites here have power and water, along with pit toilets and coin-operated showers. There are also paddleboard rentals right on the shore, making this location ideal for families with children.

Sand Hollow State Park

Put your off-roading skills to the test on the dunes at Sand Hollow State Park.

Are you an avid off-roader or simply an adrenaline junkie? Sand Hollow State Park is the place for you!

It’s one of Utah’s newer state parks and situated right around the Sand Hollow Reservoir. Shred on your own ATV or book a guided tour through the vibrant dunes. This park is also a fun camping spot with other pastime activities like swimming, boating, and fishing.

Panaca Warm Springs

Soak year-round at this natural site right across the state line.

Scenic view of the mountain and landscape from the hot spring — *The deep blue waters of Panaca Warm Springs*

📍 Google Maps | Panaca Warm Springs Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Panaca Warm Springs is just over the border in Nevada and one of the region’s best hot springs. They’re completely free and accessible year-round, with a maximum temperature of 85 degrees. There’s room for all at this lake-size warm spring, so bring the whole family!

Virgin River Rafting

Hold on tight as you go soaring down the commanding river of Southern Utah.

Picturesque view of the rocky mountain and the Virgin River bend — *A Virgin River bend*

Scenic view of the rock formations and the shallow part of the river — *A shallow part of the river*

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free | 👉 Browse Rafting Tours on Viator

Rafting on the Virgin River is one of the best activities for people of all thrill levels. Many companies around St. George offer rafting tours down raging sections of the river. Alternatively, you can bring or rent a tube for a more luxurious, slower-paced experience.

Yant Flat (Candy Cliffs)

One of the longer hikes in St. George with almost 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

View of the balancing rocks at Yant Flat — *Balancing rocks at Yant Flat*

📍 Google Maps | Yant Flat Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

The Yant Flats to Candy Cliffs hike is a great way to get a good workout in St. George. This 5.3-mile trail climbs nearly 1,000 feet in elevation gain, weaving in and out of gorgeous paintbrush swaths of red and white sandstone.

This is one of the most popular hikes in Utah and 100% dog-friendly. However, the entire trail is exposed and can heat up quickly. I suggest hiking it early in the morning before or just after sunrise, especially in the summer.

Jenny’s Canyon Trail

Take a quick detour to explore one of the quickest and easiest slot canyons in Utah.

📍 Google Maps | Jenny’s Canyon Trail Website | Hours: 6 am – 10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

At only 0.3 miles roundtrip, Jenny’s Canyon Trail is one of the most accessible slot canyons in Utah. Check it out in the springtime or early summer to witness the vibrant wildflower blooms in the area. This is one of several trails within Snow Canyon State Park.

Hiking in the Pine Valley Mountains

Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails surrounding St. George, some of which reach heights of over 10,000 feet.

Picturesque view of the Pine Valley Mountain Range — *The Pine Valley Mountain Range*

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

St. George is covered in trails from head to toe. The surrounding Pine Valley Mountains beckon to be explored — especially Signal Peak, the highest in the range at 10,365 feet.

The Pine Valley Mountains lie within Dixie National Forest. They’re a great place to hike, mountain bike, backcountry camp, and take on equestrian trails. However, be sure to look out for rattlesnakes on your hike, as they live in all ecosystems in Southern Utah.

Red Cliffs Recreation Area

Camp under the stars at this huge expanse of desert wilderness, set only minutes outside of St. George.

Panoramic view of the Coyote Buttes at the Vermillion Cliffs Recreation Area on a gloomy day — *Butte’s at the Red Cliff’s Recreation Area*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 688-3200 | Red Cliffs Recreation Area Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

More than 45,000 acres of protected wilderness comprise the Red Cliffs Recreation Area in Southwest Utah. This dense expanse of desert is only 20 minutes outside of St. George and provides opportunities for solitude and natural quiet.

Be sure to look out for ancient dinosaur tracks, bone beds, plant fossils, and petrified wood during your visit to the Red Cliffs Recreation Area.

City Activities in St. George

Day Trip to Las Vegas

The entertainment capital of the world is less than two hours from St. George.

Travel Lemming Editor Abigail Bliss and her friend drinking at The Cosmopolitan — *Abigail and her friend at The Cosmopolitan*

The Eiffel Tower replica outside the Paris hotel — *The Eiffel Tower replica at the Paris hotel*

📍 Google Maps | Las Vegas Website | 👉 Browse Las Vegas Tours on Viator

Everyone should experience the grandeur of “Sin City” at least once. This iconic Southwest destination is less than two hours from St. George and offers endless attractions for tourists. Catch a live Cirque du Soleil show, lounge by a resort pool, and try your luck on the slot machines. While undoubtedly adult-centric, the city has plenty of things to do with kids, too.

Take a day trip or consider an overnight stay before returning to Kanab. We have a full guide on where to stay in Las Vegas to help you plan your getaway!

McQuarrie Memorial Museum

Learn about the area’s first Mormon settlers at this educational museum.

Closeup view of the old Mormon building in Utah — *An old Mormon building in Utah*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 628-7274 | McQuarrie Memorial Museum Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Thurs – Sat & Mon – Tues, Closed Wed & Sun | Entrance: Free

The McQuarrie Memorial Museum was formed by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers coalition in 1921. Today, it houses pioneer artifacts from the earliest days of St. George. See photos and learn about the history of the brave settlers who migrated west under the direction of Brigham Young at this interactive downtown museum.

Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum

You don’t have to venture too far from your airport gate to enjoy the St. George Aviation Museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 669-0655 | Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed-Sat, Closed Sun-Tues | Entrance: Free, suggested donation of $5 per person, $10 per family

The Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum at the St. George Airport is dedicated to preserving and restoring aircraft for public education. Be sure to check its website to see if there are any fun events coming up, like its annual WarBird Fly-In event. It’s incredible to witness the aviators in action high above the clouds!

Bloomington Petroglyph Park

View ancient petroglyphs in the heart of downtown St. George.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 627-4000 | Bloomington Petroglyph Park Website | Hours: 6 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: Free

View large boulders with Indigenous petroglyphs in the heart of St. George. The Bloomington Petroglyph Park depicts mostly human and animal forms, as well as early maps.

No reservation is required to visit. But park officials strongly discourage touching and tampering with the petroglyphs for the sake of preservation. Help preserve the ancient stories of the past by leaving no trace and admiring them from a distance.

St. George Utah Temple

Visit the most impressive Mormon temple in town, the first of its kind in the state.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 673-3533 | St. George Utah Temple Website | Hours: 6:30 am – 8:15 pm Tue, Thu – Sat, 5:30 am – 8:15 pm Wed, Closed Sun | Entrance: Free

The St. George Utah Temple is the longest-operating temple of its kind in Utah. It is also the only temple that was completed during Brigham Young’s 30-year tenure as president of the church. Therefore, it’s highly regarded in the Mormon faith.

Today, only the Salt Lake City Temple is grander than the St. George Utah Temple. Visit it the next time you’re in town to view one of the most significant places of worship in the area.

Pioneer Park

A huge recreational park that’s home to some of the best rock climbing routes in the greater St. George area.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 627-4530 | Pioneer Park Website | Hours: 6 am-10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Pioneer Park is an impressive 52 acres on the outskirts of the city. This is one of the best places to go rock climbing in southern Utah. There’s also a large pavilion with two barbecues and a fire pit surrounded by Navajo sandstone. Go for a hike on the nearby mesas and buttes, or simply enjoy relaxing in the park for the day.

Veyo Pool Resort

Take a dip in the pool and go rock climbing at this fun Southern Utah resort.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 574-2300 | Veyo Pool Resort Hot Springs Website | Hours: 9 am – 8 pm (summer), 10 am – 6 pm (spring & fall) | Entrance: $18 per person, free under 2

Veyo Pool Resort is home to a spring-fed swimming pool, rock climbing routes, and crawdad catching in the nearby lake. A visit here truly provides fun for all! Day passes are available to enjoy the springs for a few hours. Alternatively, guests can book a night in the provided lodging and soak all night long.

Sears Art Museum

Get to know the local art community during frequent artist events.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 652-7909 | Sears Art Museum Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Mon-Fri, Closed Sat & Sun | Entrance: Free

The Sears Art Museum at Utah Tech University hosts fun events filled with live music, local artist talks, and refreshments. They’re the best way to meet the local creative community.

The museum hosts six exhibits each year featuring traditional to contemporary art styles and everything in between. Check out the gallery when you’ve tired yourself out with outdoor activities and need a relaxing day in the city.

Silver Reef Ghost Town

Silver Reef was once a booming silver mining town and remnants lie at the site.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 879-2254 | Silver Reef Ghost Town Website | Hours: 10 am – 3 pm Thurs – Sat & Mon, Closed Tues – Wed & Sun | Entrance: $4 per person, $13 family rate

Silver Reef was a mining boomtown in its 1800s heyday. It caught widespread popularity thanks to the discovery of silver in sandstone at the site. Today, walking trails take you past the mines and old homes of frontier folk who struck luck with their silver findings.

Stop by the on-site museum to learn more about the history of Silver Reef Ghost Town or take a walking tour from a trained docent.

Brigham Young Winter Home

Visit the historic winter home of the pioneering leader of the Mormon faith who brought settlers to St. George.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 677-6230 | Brigham Young Winter Home Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat, 12 pm – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: Free

Visit the home that Mormon leader Brigham Young inhabited during the cold winter months in St. George. It’s now an educational museum about the religion and the treacherous journey made by Young and his followers. This is one of the best free things to do in St. George and a great way to get to know the city’s past.

St. George Children’s Museum

Unleash your inner child as you play with your little ones through 12 interactive exhibits.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 986-4000 | St. George Children’s Museum Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue-Sat, Closed Sun | Entrance: $7 adults, $5 seniors, $8.50 children 3-17, free under 3

Visit the St. George Children’s Museum when traveling to Southern Utah with kids. This is a top kid favorite in the area thanks to the array of fun events like Make Art Tuesdays, TinkerLab, and Storytime with Kris. There are also 12 interactive exhibit rooms, a child’s dream come true.

The museum encourages both children and adults to play, so don’t expect to drop your child off and have a relaxing day at the spa. The St. George Children’s Museum is one of my favorite places to bond with my younger family members and explore our creativity together.

Kayenta Art Village

The most happening town in St. George is a hipster’s paradise.

A waterfall on the red rocks behind the Kayenta Art Village — *A waterfall behind the Kayenta Art Village*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 688-8535 | Kayenta Art Village Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Kayenta Art Village is surrounded by quintessential red rock beauty. It’s a fun outing for local art appreciators and new town visitors alike. Browse and shop from the resident art galleries, then hike, view petroglyphs, or even catch a concert at this hipster’s paradise.

Green Gate Village

Shop ‘til you drop at the most popular retail establishment in town.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 767-7658 | Green Gate Village Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon-Fri; 10 am – 6 pm Sat; Closed Sun | Entrance: Free

Shop in style at Green Gate Village. Here, you’ll find the widest variety of shops and restaurants in the middle of historic downtown. Green Gate Village also hosts a wide variety of community events like concerts and social hours, both of which are great ways to meet the locals.

Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum

A most unusual wildlife experience awaits at Rosenbruch.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 301-7777 | Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat, Closed Sun | Entrance: $8 adults, $6 seniors, $4 children 3-12, free under 3

The Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum is home to over 300 taxidermied animals. It’s the only museum of its kind in Utah. Follow an audio tour on your phone as you view the exhibits of the animals poised as they would be in their natural habitat. A trip to this unusual attraction will definitely be unforgettable.

Dixie Red Hills Golf Course

Golf in one of the most scenic locations in the Southwest.

Panoramic view of the picturesque landscape of Red Hills Golf Course — *View from the Red Hills Golf Course*

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 627-4444 | Dixie Red Hills Golf Course Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily

Dixie Red Hills Golf Course is one of the most scenic in the Southwest and should be on every golf enthusiast’s itinerary. Teeing off while surrounded by 360-degree views of Navajo sandstone and deeply jutted gorges is an unparalleled experience.

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You made it to the end of my ultimate guide on the best things to do in St. George! Leave me a comment if you have any questions. Also, take a look at our list of the best places to stay in Utah for more travel insights!

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