St. George. What to do? |
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BIKE TRAILS
Snow Canyon Loop
Easy Trail. Turn onto the Snow Canyon Parkway off of Bluff Street. Bike through Snow Canyon and return downhill to St George via Highway 18. Ride through some of the most beautiful, scenic areas you will ever see.
Gunlock/Dammeron Trail
This easy trail begins at Gunlock Reservoir's boat dock and winds northeast through beautiful red hills, charred volcanic rock and distant scenes of beautiful Pine Valley Mountain. The trail ends on Highway 18 where bikers can head back to St. George via the highway.
Warner Valley Trail
This trail is easy, fun and concludes with real dinosaur tracks. Drive to Warner Valley and bike southeast through the valley to the tracks, which are located at the bottom of the wash. There are signs to guide you. Warner Valley is located 8 miles east of St George via River Road. Take 1450 South off River Road to the east and follow signs to Warner Valley.
Intermediate to advanced trails include Gooseberry Mesa Trail and Silver Reef Trail.
Gooseberry Mesa Trail
This world class trail is quickly gaining national attention. This trail heads southwest from Zion National Park to Gooseberry Mesa proper. The breathtaking scenery includes the stunning cliffs of Zion and the distant color of Pine Valley Mountain. The trail is quite easy and flat in the beginning and atop the mesa, but the 2-mile climb to the peak is very strenuous. Many bikers drive to the top of Gooseberry and ride around the flat apex, which makes the ride very easy.
Gooseberry Mesa is 10 miles southwest of Springdale. The trail actually breaks off in Rockville, 3 miles west of Springdale on Highway 9. Round trip is about 30 miles
Silver Reef Trail
The scenery on this trail lends the best of both worlds, the bright vermillion peaks of Zion Park to the junipers and lush pines of Pine Valley. The trail begins in the brush of Silver Reef Ghost Town, east of Zion, and heads north and west via FR 031 over the south base of Pine Valley Mountain. The trail veers south on FR 033 and finishes at the east side of St George. Trailhead starts 27 miles north of St George via I-15, Leeds exit and follow the signs to Silver Reef. About 26 miles.
Hiking the red rock beauty. |
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There are hiking trails throughout Zion National Park, Bryce, Kolob Mountain, Pine Valley and many other places. It's fun to hike in Warner Valley near the dinosaur track area. Discover the beautiful outdoors and enjoy the hikes.
For personalized guided tours, call the Zion Canyon Field Institute, 435-772-3264. For maps and information, visit the Bureau of Lane Management Information Center, 345 E Riverside Drive, in
St George, 436-688-3246
National & State Parks plus Monuments near the St. George Area. |
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Zion National Park
800-869-6635 - 435-772-3256
www.nps.gov/zionbryce
(Drive time from St George approximately 50 minutes or 41 miles)
Of all the national parks in the West, Zion is the most intimate. Here you tour within the canyon's embrace. While most people think of Zion as towering sandstone walls and monoliths, it is also rivers, swamps, riparian areas, pine forests, sandstone deserts, natural bridges, ancient dwelling places and habitat for an amazing variety of plants and animals.
Hiking trails are abundant where you can discover the beauty. On your trip to Zion National Park, you'll discover beauty and many scenic wonders prompting many "oohs and aahs" every mile of your adventure.
Excellent accommodations, restaurants, and shopping facilities are available near to Utah's Zion National Park. The park is open all year and each season has it's own special scenery.
SHUTTLE SERVICE: Parks Transportation, Inc. offers shuttle service both in the park and Springdale starting at 7:00 am until 9:30 pm in the park and 10:00 pm in Springdale. The hours may expand in the busier summer season. There is room for backpacks and climbing equipment on the bus along with bicycle racks. Pets are not allowed on the buses. The Visitors Center has information on the shuttle operation, current park information, back-country permits, lodge reservations, maps and other publications.
Kolob
435-772-3256
(Drive time from St George approximately 20 minutes or 25 miles)
Kolob Canyon is located along the western edge of Zion National Park. The visitor center is accessible from Interstate 15, exit 22, 20 minutes north of St George. Kolob is a part of Zion's National Park.
You can hike trails, view wildlife and take photographs of the massive red rock formations of the Kolob Fingers from pullouts along a five-mile paved road.
Bryce Canyon National Park
800-444-6689 - 435-834-5322
www.nps.gov/zionbryce
(Drive time from St George approximately 2 hours or 125 miles)
The Paiute Indians called it "red rocks standing like men in a bowl-shaped canyon." Unlike Zion where you look up at the cliffs, at Bryce Canyon National Park you look down upon miles of exquisitely carved pinnacles and spires. Set on a high plateau, the pine-covered rim of Bryce Canyon catches the clean cool breezes of a mountain setting. The red, pink and orange colors of the intricately eroded limestone "hoodoos" constantly change with the sun, making the magical landscape come alive. Best to view in the early morning or about sunset to see the light and shadow play. Bryce Canyon National Park is open all year.
WEB: www.nps.gov/brca/index.htm
Cedar Breaks National Monument
435-586-9451.
(Drive time from St George approximately 1 hour or 73 miles)
Awesome views of color greet you at Cedar Breaks National Monument. Enjoy the trails leading around the rim and through the forest. The region's bristlecone pines date back 1,600 years/
The visitor's center is open from late May until
mid-November.
Located 20 miles east of Cedar City on Utah 14, then 4 miles on Utah 148.
WEB: www.nps.gov/cebr/index.htm
North Rim of the Grand Canyon
800-869-6635 - 928-638-7888
www.nps.gov.grca
(Drive time from St George to the North Rim is approximately 3 hours or 180 miles)
The North Rim features the pine and aspen forest of the 540,000 acre Kaibab Plateau. You will find viewpoints of the Grand Canyon higher than that on the South Rim. Magnificent views. Closed in the winter.
STATE PARKS & RECREATIONAL AREA
Snow Canyon State Park
435-628-2255
Snow is not what attracts 500,000 visitors annually to the warm, sunny, red rock marvels of this park, one of our best kept secrets and photographer's dream. Gigantic coral-colored, Navajo sandstone rocks mantled with lava, sprinkled with lush-looking blue-green sage, with white cliffs soaring in sharp contrast.
The park is known for it's large expanse of beautiful red sand dunes. There are over 15 miles of beautiful hiking trails. Cliffs for rappelling are featured throughout the park. Kids love to play in our large sand hill areas or hike through the dry creek beds.
Snow Canyon is approximately five miles long, with elevations ranging from 3,100 feet at the canyon floor to 5,024 feet on the upper cliffs. Snow Canyon is a geological paradise. Giant monoliths of weathered sandstone date back 170 million years. Recent lava flows may be viewed in several places. Smoldering lava encased the cliffs as it flowed southward down the canyon. Several lava tubes were formed, leaving deep caves to explore.
The ancient Anasazi culture inhabited the region between 200 and 1250 A.D. Petroglyphs, artifacts and structural remnants endure along with carved names and dates of early pioneer settlers. It was named for Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, prominent early pioneer leaders.
The campground is open all year with tent sites, picnic areas, showers, toilets, water and dump site are available. Fee area. For reservations call 800-322-3770. Unreserved sites are on a first come first served basis.
Snow Canyon is located only seven miles north of St. George. Take Snow Canyon Parkway off Bluff Street in St. George.
Web Link - http://www.parks.state.ut.us/parks/www1/snow.htm
Quail Creek State Park & Reservoir
Quail Creek Dam and Reservoir were completed in 1985. Fishing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, boating and swimming contribute to the park's popularity. Campsite, picnic facilities and restrooms are available. Located 11 miles northeast of St. George via I-15, Hurricane exit and left on Quail Creek Road.
For more information call 435-879-2378 , or reservations call 800-322-3770
Web: http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/parks/www1/quai.htm
Red Cliffs Recreation Area
435-688-3246
Explore this beautiful red rock area north of Quail Creek, under the east slop of Pine Valley Mountain. It is 4.5 miles south of Leeds. Hike the one0mile trail to Anasazi ruins. Campsite and hiking areas are open all year.
WEB: BLM - http:www.ut.blm.gov/stgeorge_fo/index.html
http:leedstown.homestead.com/redcliffs~ns4.html
Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
435-634-5759
This 61,000 acre scenic desert north of St George, Santa Clara, Washington and Hurricane cities is dedicated to the protection of the desert tortoise and other plant and wildlife species. Within the reserve are more than 130 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Hunting is allowed during prescribed seasons.
WEB: BLM - http:www.ut.blm.gov/stgeorge_fo/index.html
Pine Valley Mountain
Climb to 7,000 feet and find pine trees, streams, mountain trails and picnic area. Peaks are 10,000 feet high. Drive on Highway 18 north 25 miles to Central and then seven miles to Pine Valley.
WEB: http//www.wilderness.net/nwps/wild_view.cfm?wname=Pine%20 Valley%20Mountain
Sand Hollow Reservoir
Located just 5.5 miles southwest of Hurricane is Sand Hollow. When full, the reservoir will hold 50,000-acre feet of water - 10,000 more than the existing Quail Creek Reservoir. When completed you will find an unique blend of water-based recreation, walking paths and adjacent off-road vehicle recreation.
Gunlock State Park & Reservoir
Gunlock Reservoir, an 240-acre reservoir, offers boating, swimming, fishing, limited camping and is located 15 miles northwest of St George near the town of Gunlock. Red rock, sand, and clear blue water await you.
WEB: http://parks.state.us/parks/www1/gunl.htm
Brian Head & Elk Meadows Ski & Summer Resorts
Brian Head: 435-677-2035 - Elk Meadows: 888-881-7669
Brian Head and Elk Meadows are southern Utah's two high alpine, year-round resorts, featuring exceptional downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Summer mountain biking is gaining popularity, peaking at the seasons end with the annual Mountain Biking Festival at Brian Head.
Brian Head is an hour and a half drive from St George and Elk Meadows is two hours away.
You can get to Brian Head by driving 79 miles Northeast of St George via I-15 to Cedar City,, Hwy 14 north to Hwy 148.