23 Best Things to Do in St. George, Utah in 2024
Looking for Things to Do in Saint George, Utah?
You’ve come to the right place! We visit St. George, UT, and the surrounding area frequently because it is a great place to visit, and we have family who live there, so we always try to make sure we stop in this beautiful southern Utah town when we are traveling the country.
St. George, Utah, is a vibrant city known for its stunning red rock landscapes and outdoor adventures.
Here’s a guide to the top 23 things to do in St. George this year.
23 Best Things to Do in St. George, Utah
1. Zion National Park
Zion National Park is probably one of the most well-known places to explore when you are in Saint George. The national park is super close, and many people stay in St. George or Hurricane when visiting this national park because there can be cheaper Zion hotel options than staying in Springdale.
Zion is great for kids and families, but some of the best hikes are substantial hikes, and if you are visiting with young kids, you might save some of the hiking for when they get a little older.
We love the towering cliffs and scenic views. It is also really fun to hike to the waterfalls and grab some food at the lodge. We have gone to Zions on multiple occasions, and it never disappoints. Some of our favorite things to do in Zion are hiking the Canyon Overlook, the Riverside Walk, and the Emerald Pool trails.
Even if you are visiting Zion in the winter, it is still well worth a visit!
2. Red Hills Desert Garden
The Red Hills Desert Garden in St. George, Utah, is a unique and fascinating attraction that showcases the natural beauty and diversity of the desert landscape. The garden features over 5,000 plants, all native to the desert environment. These include a wide variety of cacti, succulents, and other drought-tolerant plants.
The Red Hills Desert Garden is open to the public free of charge, making it a really nice stop if we are trying to save some money. Just a short distance from the garden space, there are really nice picnic tables and shade covers.
We bring some lunch, take our kids, and climb over the sweet rock formations before heading to the garden.
The garden is not super huge, but climbing over the rocks and checking it out is worth it, especially if you have not been before.
3. Pioneer Park
Pioneer Park is located on Red Hills Parkway, close to the center of St. George. The park is situated on a hill, providing excellent views of the city and the surrounding area. The park is a well-known spot for rock climbing and bouldering enthusiasts.
Dixie Rock is the most famous feature of the park. It is also known as the Sugarloaf or the Dixie Sugarloaf. The rock formation offers a great view of St. George and is a popular spot for photography. The Park also contains small slot canyons and caves, providing a unique experience for visitors who enjoy exploring more secluded areas.
4. Thunder Junction All Abilities Park
Our kids love playing at this park. Thunder Junction All Abilities Park in St. George, Utah, is a unique and inclusive recreational space designed for children of all abilities.
This means it has a focus on accessibility and ensuring that children with various physical and developmental challenges can play alongside their peers.
The playground equipment is awesome. Most of the park is dinosaur-themed and the slides, swings, and climbing structures are all created to include as many different types of abilities as possible. There is a train that you can ride around the park, as well as a splash pad and water area that we like when it is hot outside.
It does not cost anything to play or visit the park, so if you are looking for a sweet park and your kids like to visit the parks as much as ours do, then this is a fun stop.
The train costs $1 per person, and you will want to check the Thunder Junction website for more in-depth questions.
5. St George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm
The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm is a significant paleontological site and museum located in St. George, Utah. The site is amazing but not something super great for young kids.
In short, the area found some great bones, tracks, and fossils, and they built a building over the site to preserve them. They are still working on them today inside of this site. Because of this, it is super authentic, but there are not a lot of things for younger kids to touch.
There is a boardwalk that you walk on over the top of the dig site, where you can see the dinosaur fossils and tracks still in the ground where they were found. There are lots of great information signs, but that requires quite a bit of reading.
6. Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
The NCA is another great area for exploring by hiking, biking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. The Mojave Desert Tortoise is a notable species under protection in the area, along with archaeological sites and artifacts that reflect its Native American and pioneer past.
The area’s trail system provides access to scenic vistas, slot canyons, and natural landmarks. The NCA is also popular for camping, with several designated camping areas available.
Some of the popular trails in the NCA include the Red Reef Trail, which offers access to water features and rock formations, and the Anasazi Trail, where hikers can view ancient petroglyphs.
7. Tuacahn Amphitheater
The Tuacahn Amphitheater is a brilliant and renowned outdoor amphitheater and performance venue known for its spectacular natural backdrop and high-quality theatrical productions. A similar event location would be the Red Rock Amphitheater in Colorado.
Tuacahn is well-known for staging professional, Broadway-quality theater productions.
It often features musicals that are popular on Broadway, with high-quality sets, costumes, and talent. If an event is happening when you are close, it is worth going.
Because of its outdoor setting, Tuacahn typically operates seasonally, with most performances scheduled from spring through fall to take advantage of the warmer weather and clear skies. If you are looking for things to do in St George, Utah, at night, this can be a great option.
8. Sand Hollow State Park
Sand Hollow State Park is Coltin’s favorite place near Saint George. He loves to drive the Razor on the sand dunes and crawl over the large rocks. It is also home to Matt’s Off-Road Recovery.
The area is also a perfect place for water sports and fishing. You can camp right on the lake next to all the adventure.
If you have the time, rent a side-by-side and drive it through the park or play in the Sand Hollow Reservoir. There are seemingly limitless off-road trails to explore, and the reservoir is beautiful. We try to visit this state park as much as we can.
9. Town Square Park
The Town Square Park is in downtown St. George and is a charming and vibrant space in the city’s historic downtown. Some of the things you will find there are an interactive water fountain, a historic carousel, beautiful landscaping, a playground, historical sights, and historic buildings.
The area is not somewhere where you would spend a whole day. When we go down here, we are probably there from 1 to 2.5 hours, depending on how fast you are going and how much walking you want to do. Our kids think the carousel is the best part.
Close to this area, you will also find an old general store called Judd’s. It is a fun store full of classic treats, ice cream, food, and other goodies that are fun to check out.
10. Kolob Canyon
Kolob Canyons is a lesser-known but incredibly stunning section of Zion National Park. We think of it as the backside of the park. You do not access it from the typical entrance to Zion. The entrance to Kolob Canyon is 40 miles north of Zion’s main canyon.
It is much more accessible since it is accessed right off of the I-15 via exit 40. We go to this area of Zion National Park much more frequently because it is so easy to access and typically has far fewer visitors because many people do not know about it.
This is definitely a hidden gem for those who know the area and are frequent visitors. The area is much smaller but still has beautiful hikes for many different skill levels. The area is open all year, but not all of the trails are open year-round.
11. Snow Canyon State Park
The Snow Canyon State Park is a little canyon that offers some great scenery and camping options. The park is not overly large, so it does not get overly busy. There are still a lot of hiking trails where you can visit a slot canyon, large natural arch, and petrified dunes.
If you are looking to mountain bike, there are trails designated for mountain biking. The Snow Canyon is a lesser-known gem. It might be the most popular, but if you are looking for something new, you should give it a try.
12. Moe’s Valley Bouldering
Moe’s Valley Bouldering in St. George, Utah, is a renowned destination in the climbing community, particularly for those interested in bouldering. If you do not know what that means, bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed on small rock formations or boulders without the use of ropes or harnesses.
This bouldering area is one of the best things to do in St. George, Utah, for adults because a lot of the area is challenging and not super kid-friendly.
It does offer a wide range of difficulties, so if you want to test your hand at bouldering skills or bring kids who are a little older, then this is a good spot. The area is open year-round, but the best time to visit is the spring and fall.
The landscape is strictly a desert, so you won’t find much out there. It kind of look like a giant was practicing his rock throwing skills chucking big rocks.
13. Kayenta Art Village
The Kayenta Art Village is a great spot featuring galleries, studios, and cafes. The area is only a short drive from St. George, Utah, and is a unique and culturally rich area known for its focus on the arts and creative expression.
The area is full of natural beauty, architectural design, workshops, and lots of community events.
If you are into art, this is a nice stop. If you can, try to make it during a community event, festival, or during one of the outdoor concerts or other cultural gatherings.
14. Little Black Mountain Petroglyphs
The Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site, located near St. George, Utah, is a significant archaeological site known for its extensive collection of ancient rock art. The petroglyphs are pretty cool but there is not much else outside of the petroglyphs.
The area does not have facilities, so make sure you come prepared for a remote desert area that is about 30 minutes outside of St. George.
15. Quail Creek State Park
Quail Creek State Park draws some comparisons with the Sand Hollow State Park, but it is smaller with a lot less sand, but the water itself is nicer and better to play in. If you have already been to Sand Hollow and want to try something else, this is a great option, or if you want something that will be less busy, then Quail Creek is for you.
People like to fish here because there are good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill, and rainbow trout. The area is also nice for camping with campground facilities.
16. Brigham Young Winter Home
The Brigham Young Winter Home in St. George, Utah, is a significant historical site, particularly for those interested in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and the American West.
The Brigham Young Winter Home is a one-story, adobe house representative of the architectural style of the period in the Southwest. The house has been restored to reflect the period when Brigham Young lived there, typically between 1870 and 1877.
The home is open to the public, and guided tours are available. These tours provide insights into the life and times of Brigham Young, as well as the history of the LDS Church.
If you are looking for free things to do in St. George, Utah, this is a good place to check out.
17. St. George Children’s Museum
The St. George Children’s Museum is a family favorite and probably one of the best children’s museums we have been to in all of our travels. The building is on multiple levels, with lots of fun activities. We would recommend bringing some lunch or food in case you stay longer than anticipated.
While you cannot eat inside, you can leave and reenter the museum. The museum is very inclusive and very hands-on, with fun activities that kids of all ages enjoy.
Coltin even had some fun, which is saying something because children’s museums are not his favorite, but our kids love them.
Many of our favorite things to do in St George, Utah, for families, are outdoor, but if you are looking for things to do in St George indoors, then this is one of the best.
18. Toquerville Falls
This is not only a top pick for our family for one of the best things to do in the area but also a top pick for locals. The Tocqueville Falls has become more well-known over the years and has increasingly become a place to visit for travelers and transplants who have moved to St. George.
The falls and the area are very pretty, with many people driving their side-by-side vehicles through the river. If you start below the falls, you can follow the LaVerkin Creek until you reach the falls.
You will cross the creek on multiple occasions, making it a super fun ride, but the trail is not the easiest to follow to be prepared.
The more common trail to the falls is by a dirt road that still requires a high clearance 4×4 vehicle. The trail is bumpy, with a decent-sized rock occasionally, and if the road is wet, it adds to the difficulty.
People love to hike, explore, and swim near the falls. Make sure to be careful on the rocks because they can be slippery.
Fun Day Trips from St. George, Utah
19. Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument is a natural wonder known for its stunning geologic formations. It’s often referred to as a “miniature Bryce Canyon” due to its similar rock formations. The monument is a little bit farther than what some might want to deal with because it is about 77 miles from St. George but only 12 from Cedar City.
The monument is known for its huge natural amphitheater that spans around 3 miles and 2,000 feet deep.
Similar to Bryce Canyon, however, not to the same extent, you can find beautiful hoodoos, scenic overlooks, and hiking trails, and the park is considered a dark sky park, making it a great place to stargaze.
20. Day Trip to Las Vegas
Aside from all the exceptional activities we find in St. George, another great aspect is that it is so close to many popular and exciting entertainment venues and outdoor experiences. Las Vegas is less than 2 hours away. This means all the exciting adventures of Las Vegas and all of its beauty are just a day trip away.
Even if you are visiting St. George with kids, you should still consider a day trip to Las Vegas. There are so many family-friendly things to do in Las Vegas. We love hiking in Valley of Fire State Park, eating some good food, visiting the Neon Museum, and checking out some highlights of the strip.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even take a helicopter tour to see the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon.
21. Day Trip to the Grand Canyon
If you have always wanted to experience the vast nature of the Grand Canyon, when you are in St George you are less than 4 hours away from the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. The Grand Canyon is an amazing experience.
The first time we visited the canyon, it kind of took our breath away looking at such a large canyon. There are a few hotel options at the North Rim if you decide if it is too far away for a day trip.
22. Day Trip to Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon is one of our favorite national parks in Utah. We think this park is vastly underrated. The hikes in Bryce Canyon are still some of our favorites.
The hoodoos are amazing, and the trails to hike into the canyon are fantastic. Witness the famous hoodoos and breathtaking landscapes. At close to 2 hours away from St. George, Bryce Canyon can make for a very reasonable and quick trip from Saint George, Utah.
23. Day Trip to Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon
If you have not heard of Horseshoe Bend, Arizona, Lake Powel, or Antelope Canyon, then you should do a little bit of research into their beauty. Antelope Canyon is the most sought-after and popular slot canyon in the United States.
We have visited the canyon multiple times and are always excited to see the beautiful canyon. Antelope Canyon is on protected Navajo land so you do need to book a tour to see the canyon. We have toured Lower Antelope Canyon as well as Canyon X and thought both were fantastic.
The area is less than 3 hours away and makes for a great day trip because the Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon are beautiful but areas that do not require a huge time commitment to visit.
If you want a beautiful and quick day trip, this is your best place for a day trip from St. George.
FAQ: Things to Do in St George, Utah
Absolutely, for its outdoor activities, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences. The local history is also very cool. The pioneers early on settled this area and it has turned into a beautiful town with many fun things to enjoy.
It’s known for its proximity to national parks, mild winter climate, and vibrant arts scene.
It’s about a 40-minute drive from St. George to the entrance of Zion National Park.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closest, about 3.5 hours away by car.
St. George is moderately expensive. It is not expensive like many destination towns, but it is slightly more expensive than the Utah national average.
Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) offer the best weather and fewer crowds.
Summers are hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F
January is typically the coldest month, with mild winter temperatures.
St. George has a desert climate, so it’s dry with low humidity.
Conclusion: Things to Do in St George, Utah
St. George is a fantastic place to live. Every time we visit, I cannot figure out why we have not moved there yet. Just writing this article makes me want to pack up and head to Saint George. There are so many fun activities and nearby places to visit that are super fun.
If you get the chance, spend as much time as you can in St. George, and you will love every minute of it. The area is very family-friendly, and most of the activities are family-friendly.
