🏜 50 Best Things to Do in St George Utah + Local Secrets (2024)

Best things to do in St George Utah blog cover.  Text overlaying an image of St George Temple against red rocks and mountains.

Most visitors of Southern Utah have no idea there are so many things to do in St George, Utah. Far more than a gateway to Zion National Park, this charming city has a wide variety of historic, cultural, scenic, and family-friendly destinations.

You will discover all of the best things to do in St George in this comprehensive guide, regardless of what interests you most. There are things to do for outdoor and nature lovers, art and culture buffs, and for families.

At the end of this guide, you will also find some of the more impressive places worth visiting near St George to see on your way out of town.

For example, you may not yet know about a place photographers often refer to as “Little Zion“. Or that there are a handful of slot canyons and petroglyphs hidden away nearby….

πŸ“Έ Overview of the Best Things to Do in St George

To ensure this is useful for readers of all ages and interests, you will discover the many activities, day trips, and destinations available divided into individual sections throughout this guide.

At a glance, the best things to do in St George, Utah are:

Outdoor / Nature

  • Pioneer Park
    • St. George Narrows (The Crack)
    • Dixie Rock (Dixie Sugarloaf)
    • Pioneer Park Arches
  • Red Hills Desert Garden
  • Snow Canyon State Park
    • Jenny’s Canyon
    • Petrified Sand Dunes
    • Butterfly Hike – Lava Tubes
    • Petroglyph Slot Canyon
  • Sand Hollow State Park
  • Quail Creek State Park
  • Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
  • Yant Flat (Candy Cliffs)
  • Little Black Mountain Petrogylphs
  • St George Hot Air Balloon Rides

Arts / Culture

  • Explore the Historic Downtown
    • Pioneer Courthouse
    • St. George Tabernacle
    • Downtown Art Walk
    • Green Gate Village
    • Brigham Young Winter Home Historical Site
    • St George City Art Museum
  • Jacob Hamblin Home
  • St. George Utah Temple
  • Tuacahn Center For the Arts
  • Kayenta Art Village
  • Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum
  • Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum

For Families / Kids

  • St. George Children’s Museum
  • St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site
  • Parks and Playgrounds
    • Town Square Park
    • St George Carousel
    • Thunder Junction Park
    • Other City Parks
  • Silver Reef Ghost Town

Food and Drink

  • Dinner at Chef Alfredo’s
  • Dessert at Nielsen’s Frozen Custard
  • Drive in at Larsen’s Frostop
  • Beers at Zion Brewery

πŸ—Ί Map of the best things to do in St George

We have created an interactive Google Map with all the best places to visit and things to do in St George that are mentioned in this blog post. Click on the image below or here to open the map in a new tab.

Map of all the best things to do in St George.
Map of all the best things to do in St George.

πŸ₯Ύ Best Outdoor things to do in St George

This section is for the landscape photographers, hikers, and nature lovers. While Zion National Park is surely the major attraction nearby, there are a plethora of other natural places to see nearby.

If you are planning on spending some time traveling Utah, you may want to consider purchasing a state parks pass as many of the nearby treasures are maintained by the state.


🏞 1. Pioneer Park

A red rock arch at Pioneer Park in St George

Sat atop St George and encompassing 52-acres, Pioneer Park is a great place to spend an afternoon. Whether you’re looking for a spot to relax or a mini-adventure, this community park is the perfect place.

Offering spectacular views over the city, it is a popular spot for climbing and hiking trails. There are also ample covered picnic tables as well as a pavilion that allows for BBQing.

Many of the attractions in Pioneer Park are easily accessed with minimal walking, including Dixie Rock (aka Dixie Sugarloaf), St George Narrows (aka The Crack), and Pioneer Park Arches.


πŸ§— 2. St. George Narrows (The Crack)

Photo of the Pioneer Park Narrows, also known as The Crack or the Pioneer Park Mini Slot Canyon in St George, Utah.

This fun slot canyon is only a short walk from the parking lot and is well worth a stop. The wider side of the slot canyon is closest to the car park, as you walk through it continues to narrow to a point where some adults may not be able to squeeze through any further!

Those that are small enough (mostly kids!) can make it out to the other side but it is a tight squeeze and not for the claustrophobic.

If you love these natural marvels as much as we do, be sure to check out our comprehensive Utah Slot Canyons Guide and learn more about all the canyons you can visit nearby!

🏜️ EXPLORE MORE NEARBY:
25 THINGS TO DO IN PAGE AZ


β›° 3. Dixie Rock (Dixie Sugarloaf)

Dixie Sugarloaf in Pioneer Park as seen from downtown.  A popular spot to watch sunset.

This is the best place in St George to watch the sunset, with views stretching out over the city all the way to White Dome, Zion National Park, and even Arizona on a clear day. It is a short walk from the parking lot and easy enough for kids to get to.

Although it’s worth noting that there are no railings at the top so be sure to keep an eye on little ones that like to run around.


πŸŒ„ 4. Pioneer Park Arches

Hiking to the Pioneer Park Arches is one of the best things to do in St George, Utah.

Just behind The Crack are two red arches, in fact, they are visible from the parking lot to the slot canyon. They are not signposted so can be easy to miss!

You will want to park at the first parking area after passing Red Hills Desert Garden and follow the Pioneer Rim Trail to the left to reach the arches.

While they may not be the most impressive arches in southern Utah, they are certainly worth the short hike and are a fun thing to do in St George.


⛲️ 5. Red Hills Desert Garden

Landscape photography of the Red Hills Desert Garden in St George, UT.

Opened in 2015, the Red Hills Desert Garden is located in Pioneer Park overlooking St. George. It is Utah’s first desert conservation garden, showcasing endangered species and promoting water conservation.

The garden is a wonderful place to see a variety of desert flora over 4.5 acres. Here you’ll discover 5000 water-efficient plants as well as an 1150 foot stream containing native and endangered fish species, a replica slot canyon, and 200-million-year-old dinosaur tracks.

Remarkably, the Red Hills Desert Garden uses only five million gallons of water per year. This might sound like a lot but is in fact less water than a similar-sized turf landscape!

Entrance is free and there are restrooms, water fountains, and many benches around the garden so you can take your time to enjoy the beautiful gardens. Find out more at Red Hills Desert Garden.


πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ 6. Snow Canyon State Park

Sunset photography from the Petrified Sand Dunes.  Snow Canyon State Park is the best thing to do in St George for landscape photographers and hikers.

Snow Canyon State Park completely exceeded our expectations and, in our opinion, could compete with plenty of the US National Parks in terms of beauty!

This spectacular park offers a variety of trails and landscapes to explore, from towering sandstone cliffs to sweeping sand dunes, striking slot canyons, ancient lava tubes, and desert landscapes.

There’s plenty to do in Snow Canyon State Park including hiking, cycling, rock climbing, horse riding, camping and, of course, photography.

It’s well worth setting aside at least a day, if not more, to explore Snow Canyon. Below are a few of our favorite places in Snow Canyon that you need to add to your St George itinerary!

πŸ“Έ FIND OUT MORE:
COMPLETE GUIDE TO SNOW CANYON STATE PARK


β›° 7. Jenny’s Canyon

A girl looking up at Jennys Canyon, a slot canyon in Snow Canyon State Park and one of the best things to do in St George.

As you enter Snow Canyon from St George, your first stop should be Jenny’s Canyon.

Just a short 0.3-mile hike from the parking lot, the sandy trail leads you through native desert bush including yucca, sagebrush and other native plants.

At the end of the trail, you can go left into Jenny’s Canyon or right to an overlook. Although only small, the many cracks and crevices make it a truly fascinating slot canyon to explore. It also provides some respite from the heat if visiting in the summer!


βŒ›οΈ 8. Petrified Sand Dunes

Snow Canyon State Park sunset photography featuring the Petrified Sand Dunes near St George.

The Petrified Sand Dunes were supposed to be a quick stop… However, we loved them so much we spent hours exploring them leading up to sunset and then staying at the Snow Canyon campsite so we could go back again in the morning to see them in the early morning light! That’s how much we enjoyed this place.

Swirling patterns traverse the rock, meeting striking colors to create a scene that is reminiscent of Mars!

Rather than having a specific trail, the rolling hills of Navajo sandstone are free to explore, providing a photography playground full of unique textures set against candy cane striped cliffs.


πŸ¦‹ 9. Butterfly Hike – Lava Tubes

Standing just outside the Snow Canyon State Park Lava Tubes after hiking the Butterfly Trail.

If you’re looking for a way to get out of the heat or just want to do some cave exploration, consider the short hike to the Lava Tubes in Snow Canyon State Park.

There are multiple trails to reach them, but the Butterfly Trail is the shortest and easiest option. Starting from the Petrified Sand Dunes parking lot, you can reach the lava tubes via a short and relatively flat 1.2 mile roundtrip hike.

The lava tubes themselves are very fun to explore. They also provide a cool place to escape the summer heat for those of you visiting in the hotter months.


✍ 10. Petroglyph Slot Canyon

A photo showing ancient drawings in the Petroglyphs Slot Canyon near St George.

One of the most amazing things to do in St George and Utah in general is to explore the various slot canyons that only exist in the Southwest.

Of those in the region, Petroglyph Canyon is one of the smallest but also one of the neatest. In the Petroglyph slot canyon, you will find ancient drawings carved into the vertical walls.

The canyon is located within the borders of Snow Canyon, but the official hike along the Gila Trail is a tough 8 mile journey. There was previously a much shorter trail, but it passed through private property and is now completely shut down.

With that said, it is still possible to access the Petroglyph Slot Canyon via a fairly short route. If you park on the SR-18 just south of 4200 N, from here you can connect to the Gila Trail.

This is not a simple route and I recommend you do some research and download offline maps to reach it, but it is only short and definitely worth it!


πŸ›Ά 11. Sand Hollow State Park

The orange sand beach at Sand Hollow State Park is a great place for families to spend the day near St George, Utah.

Looking for some sand to curl your toes into? One of the best things to do in St George for families and outdoor lovers alike is to head to the beach at Sand Hollow State Park for the day. This gorgeous, orange-sand beach is located just a short drive from St George.

There is camping and plenty of water activities available for those of you wanting to spend more time on the water. Otherwise, it is a $20 day use fee for non-residents, or $15 for locals.

We didn’t have as much time as we would have liked here but plan on spending at least one sunset with a beer and a camera here on the next visit.

Sand Hollow is also a very popular spot for ATVs with over 6000 acres of sand dunes to explore.


πŸ– 12. Quail Creek State Park

Perhaps the most underrated thing to do in St George, Utah is a visit to Quail Creek State Park. This idyllic lake is tucked into the mountains and provides incredible scenery, swimming, camping, and water activities.

The best part is that there is free access for those who do not have the Utah state parks pass.

Be aware that the free section is accessed next to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Google Maps will take you instead to the beach, which offers facilities and a more gentle shoreline than the free section.


🌲 13. Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

The Red Reef trail in Red Cliffs National Conservation Area is one of the best things to do in St George Utah.

You will see the impressive red cliffs surrounding the city throughout your time in St George. I

f time permits, take half a day and drive out to the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. There are some beautiful campgrounds with water hookups and affordable costs for those wishing to stay the night, but a few hours is enough time for most visitors.

Of the hikes available, the best is the Red Reef hike to a small but beautiful seasonal waterfall. While it was unfortunately dry during our visit, the pools and colors were still extremely photogenic.

In addition, the short 2.2 mile roundtrip walk feels even shorter as you can’t help but admire the scenery in all directions.


🍭 14. Yant Flat (Candy Cliffs)

Sunset at the Candy Cliffs aka Yant Flat near St George Utah.

A hidden gem near St George, the Candy Cliffs of Yant Flat offer otherworldly landscapes of sweeping Navajo sandstone mixed with desert scenes.

Access is via a rugged dirt road which requires four-wheel drive and high clearance but you’ll be rewarded with spectacular natural wonders.

Yellow, pink, orange, and red striped mounds and hills of petrified sand dunes stretch out before you.

The area also provides views back over St George, Sand Hollow, and Zion. Its difficult access has helped to keep this place somewhat unknown and you may even be lucky enough to get the place to yourself!


🎈 15. St George Hot Air Balloon Rides

Aerial view of Snow Canyon State Park

For a unique way to see St George, consider a hot air balloon ride.

From the middle of September until the beginning of June, you can take to the skies in a hot air balloon. Take in a birds-eye view of St. George and/or Snow Canyon and the surrounding area as you gently soar up to 3000ft above it all!

Hot air balloon rides are not available in the summer as it is too hot to fly.


πŸ—» 16. Little Black Mountain Petroglyphs Site

If reading the stories of the ancients appeals to you, consider a short and easy walk along the Little Black Mountain Petroglyphs hiking trail. The total length is only 0.8-miles and visitors will discover well-preserved drawings from the earliest inhabitants of Southern Utah.

The walk is very family-friendly with no planning or preparation required.

🎭 Arts/Cultural things to do in St George

St. George is brimming with interesting history and culture. It is well worth spending some time exploring the historic downtown and learning more about this fascinating city. There is also a thriving art scene here, with galleries and museums aplenty.

It is worth noting that most of the museums in St George are only open Weds-Sat so plan accordingly and check current opening times to avoid disappointment.


πŸ— 17. Explore Historic Downtown & Town Square Park

Thomas Judd's Store in historic downtown is one of the best places to visit in St George Utah

Downtown St George is full of history, art, and culture with a number of museums, historic buildings, and art galleries. While the city was settled in 1861, these new occupants were far from the first.

The earliest residents known to live in the area were the Virgin River Anasazi, who lived here from around 200 B.C. until 1200 A.D. These were followed by the Paiute Tribe then later the first European settlers, the Dominguez-Escalante Party in 1776.

It’s therefore unsurprising that there is such a rich history to be discovered here in St George.

You can learn more about the history of St George in one of its many museums. It is also a beautiful place to have a stroll in the evening, admiring the old buildings and art sculptures dotted about.

You will also find plenty of shops and restaurants in downtown St George. Below are some spots in Downtown St George that you don’t want to miss that are all in easy walking distance of each other!


πŸ§‘β€βš–οΈ 18. Pioneer Courthouse

Historic Pioneer Courthouse in St George Utah

The historic Pioneer Courthouse was built in 1876 and over the years has been used as a courthouse, jail, school, and offices. In 1970 the building was added to the National Historic Registry.

Today, the courthouse is open to the public for free tours. Inside you can find out more about the history of St George as well as see original paintings of Zion National Park and Grand Canyon.


πŸ’’ 19. St. George Tabernacle

St George Tabernacle is open for tours in St George

St. George Tabernacle has functioned as a place of worship and a location for community gatherings for over 150 years.

Completed in 1876, the Tabernacle was built by the Latter-day Saints after being commissioned by Brigham Young to provide a place of worship for the new settlers. The building is open to the public for tours.


🎨 20. Downtown Art Walk

The downtown art walk is one of the best things to do in St George.  See this guitar sculpture and many more.

All around downtown, you’ll find sculptures, many of which are installed by Art Around the Corner. Many of these are located in Town Square Park and the Sculpture Garden.

You can locate the many sculptures in the area using their sculpture walking map.


🏘 21. Green Gate Village

Green Gate Village in St George is a beautiful historic area to explore.

Home to 14 historic buildings, Green Gate Village is a beautiful part of downtown St George to explore.

Today, you can find an inn, restaurant, shops, and a general store within the village.

As the oldest business in town, Judd’s Store is perhaps the most famous of these properties. For over 100 years, Judd’s has served as a general store and it still boasts its original shelves, counters, safe, and scale.


πŸ”” 22. Brigham Young Winter Home Historical Site

The exterior of the Brigham Young Winter Home, a top attraction in St George Utah.

Brigham Young was the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and founder of Salt Lake City.

This building was his home during the winter months from 1870 to 1877. As a key Mormon figure, Brigham helped influence the development of the American Southwest and is a name you may frequently come across in this area.


πŸ–Ό 23. St George City Art Museum

An art mural on the exterior of St George City Art Museum

Once a sugar beet storage facility, the St. George City Art Museum has transformed this building into a beautiful space for showcasing artwork of local and regional artists.

You will also find many exhibits from different cultures and times. The gallery is open Weds-Sat from 11am to 6pm and is well worth a visit while in St George.

The Art Museum is also a great place to visit with kids. The Family Discovery Center allows kids to create their own art.


🏑 24. Jacob Hamblin Home

A historic residence and museum in the Santa Clara region, the Jacob Hamblin Home provides insight into the life of the Mormon pioneer and missionary.

The building is open for public tours and has been restored and furnished to reflect its appearance in the 1860s.


πŸ• 25. St. George Utah Temple

The St. George Utah Temple set against a backdrop of red rock is a key feature within the city

The St. George Utah Temple was the first temple built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Utah.

Completed in 1877, the St. George Temple is the oldest temple still actively used by Mormons.

The building is currently closed for renovations which are estimated to be complete in late 2022 to earlu 2023 so it is not possible to visit the temple at present.

However, the grand building can be seen from many spots across St. George, nestled against a backdrop of red rocks.


🎭 26. Tuacahn Center For the Arts

Catching a show at the amphitheater at Tuacahn Center for the Arts is one of the best things to do in St George.

If you love theatre, or even if you don’t, catching a show at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts is one of the best things to do in St George. In fact, it might be the best venue for theatre in the nation!

The stage at Tuacahn is set amidst the deep-red rock of Snow Canyon.

Watching talented up-and-comers perform classic shows in a scene that belongs in a national park is one of those experiences that you will never forget.


πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ¨ 27. Kayenta Art Village

Just 20 minutes from St George, the Kayenta Art Village is a destination in its own right.

Home to a number of art galleries, studios, restaurants and shops, a visit to Kayenta Art Village is a great place to relax and explore.

You can discover many businesses offering an array of items from fine art to gifts, photography, pottery, events, classes, yoga, gourmet food and coffee.


πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘§β€πŸ‘§ 28. Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum

Entrance to the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum in St George Utah

Also known as the McQuarrie Memorial Museum, the museum was built in 1938.

The purpose-built museum was created to house artifacts, photos, and stories from those who settled in Washington County in the 1800s. It is owned and operated by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Companies.

Admission is free and it is a great place to learn more about the recent history of the area and the struggles the pioneers face while settling here.


✈️ 29. Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum

Aprropriately located just past the airport, the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum is dedicated to preserving, restoring and displaying aircrafts.

As well as learning about these historic aircrafts, there are also a couple of planes that it is possible to climb into making it a fun attraction for kids (and big kids) in St George.

πŸ‘¨β€πŸ‘©β€πŸ‘¦β€πŸ‘¦ Fun things to do in St George with kids

Many of the destinations and activities in this guide can also be enjoyed by families with kids. However, we wanted to make sure to include some of the things to do in St George that do not require hiking and that kids will love.


🚸 30. St. George Children’s Museum

As the name suggests, the St. George Children’s Museum has been designed with kids in mind. This fun and interactive museum has 12 exhibit rooms where visitors are encouraged to touch, feel, play and explore.

The museum’s entire focus is on fun and imaginative play while providing educational opportunities for both children and adults alike. It is definitely a must-do in St George with kids.

The museum is closed Tuesdays but open every other day, with slightly shorter opening times on a Sunday.

Admission is $5 per person and free for under 2-year-olds. Check the St George Children’s Museum website for up-to-date opening hours and current exhibits.


πŸ¦– 31. St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site

What kids don’t love dinosaurs? I know I still do! At the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm you can discover a 200 million-year-old ecosystem that dinosaurs once called home.

The museum has been built around the in situ dinosaur tracks that were discovered here in 2000.

As well as ancient dinosaur footprints, many fossils have been found in the area, including fish and dinosaur bones, leaves, seeds and aquatic animal shells. It is a true delight for geology buffs.

In addition to the many fascinating relics, there are five life-sized models of prehistoric animals which are a hit with kids. You can also visit the fossil prep lab where you can watch volunteers preparing fossils from all over Utah.

The activity area is a great spot for the little ones, with a range of rotating activities including finding fossils, dinosaur-themed games, coloring pages and a scavenger hunt!

We have a new activity area in the lobby of the museum. We will have rotating activities such as finding fossils, dinosaur-themed games, coloring pages, and more. Remember to ask about our scavenger hunt!

Find out current opening times and admission at the Dinosaur Discovery Site website.


⛲️ 32. Town Square Park

Located in the heart of the city, St George Town Square is a beautiful city park with a fun splash pad, perfect for warm summer days.

Additionally, there is a wading river and waterfall where kids can splash and play in the water. The park also boasts plenty of shaded picnic areas and grass for a leisurely afternoon.


Added to the area in 2014, the St George Carousel is conveniently located within the boundaries of Town Square.

The carousel is a restored antique from Chicago and adds a nostalgic feeling to the park. Rides on the carousel are popular with children and an affordable attraction in St George at $1 per ride.


🏞 34. Thunder Junction Park

Located within Tonaquint Park, Thunder Junction Park is an excellent all-abilities park. This dinosaur-themed park has wheelchair-accessible playground equipment, as well as a climbing wall, zipline, an “erupting” volcano, splash pad, and train ride.

This fairly new park is a great spot for children of all ages and abilities to play and there’s so much to do, you could easily spend the whole day here with the family.


🌱 35. Other City Parks

There are a number of other city parks around St George that provide picnic areas and playgrounds, perfect for spending an afternoon outside with the kids. Some of these even include splash pads too, such as Cottonwood Cove Park.

Other popular parks in St George include Tonaquint Park, Mathis Park, Royal Oaks Park, and Vernon Worthen Park. You can find a full list of city parks and their various amenities on the St George City website.


πŸ‘» 36. Silver Reef Ghost Town

Wells Fargo building and museum in Silver Reef Ghost Town Utah

The small “ghost town” of Silver Reef make for a fun thing to do in St George with kids. Once a booming silver mining town, Silver Reef is long abandoned and now only a few buildings remain.

Pick up a map at the museum and take a self-guided walk around the various historic buildings and gain some insight into how people lived here in the late 1800s. As well as its fascinating history, Silver Reef also boasts spectacular panoramic views.

You can also combine a trip here with Leeds Creek Kiln which was built in 1885 and supported the mining operations for the Silver Reef Mining Area.

🍴 Where to Eat and Drink in St George

As this is not a culinary blog, we wanted to keep the scope of this section to just things that are uniquely St George.

The following suggestions are not necessarily the best places to eat (we do not feel qualified to make those judgments), but they have come with a delicious history and charm that is hard to find these days.


🍝 37. Have Dinner at Chef Alfredo’s

Chef Alfredo's Italian restaurant located next door to Thomas Judd's Store in St George Utah

Located in the Green Gate Historic Pioneer Village, Chef Alfredo’s offers excellent Italian food in a historic setting. Expect authentic Italian cuisine from an Italian chef in the heart of this American city.


🍦 38. Savor Dessert at Nielsen’s Frozen Custard

Nielsen's Frozen Custard is a firm favorite for dessert in St George

A firm favorite for over 30 years, Nielsen’s Frozen Custard is a family-run business offering what they claim to be the best ice cream! And the reviews back this up.

Their frozen custard contains less air than other ice cream, making it heavier and smoother.

Additionally, it is served at 26Β°F (-3Β°c) rather than 10Β°F (-12Β°c) like most other ice creams, preventing the cold from numbing your taste buds and giving the frozen custard more flavor.


πŸ” 39. Enjoy a Vintage Drive in at Larsen’s Frostop

Frostop drive-in is a great option to eat in St George

In 1965, when Larsen’s Frostop was opened it was part of a nationwide chain of 350 franchised root beer stands. The chain went out of business in the 1980s but Larsen’s Frostop was continued as a private business and still thrives today!

The old-fashioned drive-in offers typical fast food; hamburgers, fries, hot dogs, and shakes, all at a cheap rate.


🍻 40. Sample some Beers at Zion Brewery

Zion Brewery in St George is housed in the 1918 firehouse

A great spot to try some local craft beers, Zion Brewery is located in a 1918 firehouse in downtown St. George.

They have a variety of beers on tap to try, as well as a billiard room, shuffleboard, and lounge for a relaxing evening.

πŸ§— Things to do near St. George

While St George offers a huge amount of things to do, you’ll also discover many other incredible places nearby.

If you’re visiting St. George as part of a bigger Utah or Southwest road trip you may want to consider adding some of these places to your itinerary too. Or even visit them as a day trip from St George.

  1. Kolob Canyon, UT (35 miles, 35 minutes)
    .
  2. Kanarra Falls, UT (41 miles, 40 minutes)
    .
  3. The Subway, UT (35 miles, 50 minutes
    .
  4. Zion National Park, UT (41 miles, 54 minutes)
    Read: Zion to Bryce Canyon Road Trip Guide
    .
  5. Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area, UT (36 miles, 1 hour)
    .
  6. Kanab, UT (80 miles, 1 hour 24 minutes)
    Read: The Best Things to do in Kanab
    .
  7. Valley of Fire State Park, NV (89 miles, 1 hour 26 minutes)
    .
  8. Bryce Canyon National Park, UT (141 miles, 2 hours 14 minutes)
    .
  9. Grand Canyon North Rim, AZ (145 miles, 2 hours 36 minutes)
    Read: Grand Canyon North Rim Complete Guide
    .
  10. Page, AZ (150 miles, 2 hours 34 minutes)
    Read: The Best Things to do in Page, AZ

🏨 Where to stay in St George

At no cost to you, we receive a small amount for any bookings made using the links below.

There are a number of different options for places to stay in St George for all budgets and accommodation types.

We stayed one night in the Snow Canyon Campground and another night at the Ramada by Wyndham hotel.

The Ramada hotel was only $60 for the night in 2021, which seemed a great rate for what was provided, including a good buffet breakfast.

However, we always recommend checking current prices and availability to find the right deal for you. Browse current rates and reviews for accommodation in St George here.

🧐 FAQs on the Best Things to Do in St George

Learn the answers to the most commonly asked questions on the best things to do in St George Utah.

Is St George Utah worth visiting?

A waterfall in the city of St George

St George is one of the most overlooked, best travel destinations in Southern Utah that is well-worth visiting. The city itself has a rich, preserved history to discover. Downtown offers a variety of family-friendly activities, art displays, and old-fashioned restaurants, with just enough touches of modern to look cared-for. The real appeal, however, is in the incredible nature nearby to St George.

What is St George Utah known for?

Most people only think of St George as the largest gateway-city to Zion National Park. It is a popular place to stop for a night or pick up supplies on a road trip from Las Vegas to Zion NP. However, St George is much more than just a stopover city and should be considered a destination itself with the incredible history, nature, art, and culture it offers its visitors.

Is St George pretty?

St George is one of the most beautiful cities in Utah.
St George is one of the most beautiful cities in Utah.

The city of St George is beautiful and has been perfectly preserved, simultaneously maintaining a historic feel with a bit of modern beauty and care. The public art exhibits in Town Square Park provide character, while old-fashioned restaurants like Larsen’s Drive-In maintain the history of St George. Meanwhile, the entire city is developed amongst the orange desert of Southern Utah, adorned by not-so-distant mountains. It is a truly beautiful city!

Does St George have a downtown?

The Town Square Park is at the heart of historic downtown and offers a variety of fun things to do in St George for families, art lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, or general travelers.

Is St George safe?

The crime rate of St George is less than half the national average, which most would qualify as a very safe place to stay.

πŸ“– More Utah & Southwest guides

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Sunset in Snow Canyon State Park.
Be sure to read about nearby Snow Canyon State Park in our complete guide!

Chances are, you are visiting St George as part of a bigger road trip through Utah or the Southwest. Make sure you do not miss anything amazing nearby by perusing our other Utah and Southwest guides.

πŸ’¬ Final thoughts on things to do in St. George

A small city waterfall in St George Utah

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We traveled to St. George from Nevada as part of our journey from Red Rock Canyon near Las Vegas to Zion National Park and ended spending more time here than we’d planned!

St. George is typically a gateway city for Zion National Park or a quick stopover on the way. However, we truly think that there’s so much to do in St George that it is deserving of being a destination in its own right too.

We hope we’ve convinced you to visit St George and that you have just as an amazing experience here.

As always, we aim to bring you the most up-to-date, accurate information. If you notice anything is out of date or incorrect, please leave us a comment and let us know. Of course, we also just love nice comments so feel free to leave us those too πŸ™‚

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Written by
Adam Marland is a professional travel blogger and landscape photographer from Oregon. After over a decade of experience as a freelance travel photographer, Adam found national acclaim when he became the National Park Foundation's β€œChief Exploration Officer” in 2021.

4 thoughts on “🏜 50 Best Things to Do in St George Utah + Local Secrets (2024)”

  1. This is a great list! Thank you! And Jenny’s Canyon is named after my sister who passed away in Snow Canyon back in 1994, so happy to see her trail on your list.

    Reply
    • Holy cow Sarah! I just looked that up and am so sorry to hear about your sister, but what an amazing way to remember her!! Jenny’s Canyon is truly one of my favorites; small but beautiful πŸ™‚

      Thank you the kind words and for reaching out!!

      Reply

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