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- National & State Parks -
- National Parks -
Zion National Park
Phone: (800) 869-6645
http://www.nps.gov/zion
http://www.zionpark.com
Zion National Park is one of the most scenic destination in Southern Utah. It is approximately 45 miles northeast of St. George (about 50-55 minute drive). To reach the Park, take Interstate 15 north to the Hurricane exit (Exit 16). Go east to Hurricane City on State Road 9 (S.R. 9) and continue through Hurricane and LaVerkin. Follow the signs through the quaint towns of Virgin, Rockville and Springdale to the Park.
Zion National Park has ALL sorts of terrain and colors. Most people think of Zion as towering sandstone walls and monoliths. It has rivers, swamps, riparian areas, pine forests, sandstone deserts, natural bridges, ancient dwelling places, historic pioneer areas and a tremendous variety of plant and animal life.
Hiking trails area all over the Park. You can take short hikes to overnight hikes and see a variety of different views, terrain and challenges. There are plenty of motel/hotel rooms in Springdale as well as ample Bed & Breakfasts. Shopping and restaurants are also in the immediate area. There is a $20 park entry fee for single vehicle entry. Park officials can talk to you about other entry fee options. Shuttle service is available from April through October both in the Park and Springdale from 7:00 a.m. to dark. Private vehicles are not allowed on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive when the shuttle is in operation. Zion-Mount Carmel Highway 9 through the park is open to private vechiles all year, connecting Springdale to Bryce Canyon, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and Kanab, UT. The Visitor Center has information on shuttle operation, weather conditions, back country permits, reservations for the lodge, maps and other publications.
By the way, the Thanksgiving buffet served on Thanksgiving day at the Zion Lodge is to die for!! Reservations are required. Umm, Umm GOOD!!
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Kolob Canyon
Phone: (435) 586-9548
Kolob Canyon is lcoated along the western edge of Zion National Park. From St. George, travel north about 35 miles on Interstate 15 to Exit 40 (about a 35 minute drive) and drive to the visitors center. From the visitors center, drive the 5 miles on a paved road to view the towering, massive red rock formations of the Kolob Fingers from designated view areas along the road. You can hike trails, view wildlife and photograph along the scenic drive. There is a $20 park entry fee for single vehicle entry.
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Cedar Breaks National Monument
Phone: (435) 586-9451
http://www.nps.gov/cebr
The spectacular natural rock amphitheater of Cedar Breaks National Monument is a spectacle of gigantic proportions. The park can be reached from St. George via Interstate 15, 55 miles north to Cedar City. From Cedar City, travel east 20 miles on State Route 14, then about 4 miles north on State Highway 148. Driving time is about 1 1/2 hours depending upon traffic and season. Enjoy the trails leading around the rim from May until about mid-November. There is a $3 per vehicle fee. There is no charge if you are just driving through. A small campground to teh east of the visitors center has water and a $7 camping fee. The campground is open from about June to mid-September depending upon the season and weather permitting.
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Bryce Canyon National Park
Phone: (800) 444-6689
http://www.nps.gov/brca
From St. George, drive north on Interstate 15 to Cedar City and then east on State Route 14 (S.R. 14) to U.S. Highway 89. Drive north to the junction of State Route 12 and then east about 17-18 miles to State Route 63. Travel south 4 miles to the park entrance.
Unlike Zion, where you're looking up, Bryce Canyon National Park allows you to look down on endless miles of mother nature carved rocks, formations, spires and scenic art. Set on a high plateau, the pine covered rim of Bryce Canyon catches the clean, cool breezes of a mountain setting. The red, orange, brown and pink colors of the limestone known as "hoodoos" constantly change with the sun, making the magical landscape come alive. It is best viewed in the early morning or near sunset. Open all year, there is a $20 private vehicle entry fee.
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North Rim Of The Grand Canyon
Phone: (800) 869-6635
http://www.nps.gov/grca
To reach the Park from St. George, travel north on Interstate 15 to the Hurricane Exit (Exit 16) and go east on State Road 9 (S. R. 9) to Hurricane. Then take State Road 59 (S.R. 59) which turns into State Road 389 once you reach the Arizona State line into Fredonia, Arizona. In Fredonia, turn right onto U.S. Highway 89A and travel south to Jacob Lake, Arizona. At Jacob Lake, travel south about 45 miles on State Route 67 to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Driving time from St. George is approximately 3 - 3 1/2 hours and is about 180 miles.
Open mid-May to mid-October, the North Rim features the pine and aspen forest of the 540,000 acre Kaibab Plateau. Viewpoints of the North Rim are higher than on the South Rim. Highway 67 is closed in Winter south of Jacob Lake. The National Park operates a visitors center, bookstore, back country permite reservations, campground and ranger programs. Call (800) 365-2267 to make advanced reservations for the North Rim. There is a $20 per vehicle entry fee.
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- State Parks -
Snow Canyon State Park
 Phone: (435) 628-2255
http://www.stateparks.utah.gov
The Snow Canyon State Park is approximately 7 miles north of St. George. The easiest way to get there is north on Bluff Street (U-18) approximately 9 miles past the Winchester Hills and The Ledges Golf Course Communities. This will take you from the top of the Park and you'll eventually exit in the town of Ivins. You can go on Snow Canyon Parkway off Bluff Street and start in Ivins. Either way is a good way.
Snow Canyon is not known for it's snow. It was named after a prominent Mormon pioneer prophet, Lorenzo Snow. Over 500,000 visitors see the Park annually and enjoy the scenic views, a wide rainbow of colors, red rock marvels, coral colored Navajo sandstone rocks, colorful sagebrush and desert plants, and flowers in vibrant neon-like colors.
The Park is known for it's large expanse of red sand dunes. There are more than 15 miles of beautiful hiking trails. Cliffs for rappelling are a favorite throughout the park. Kids of all ages love to play in large sand hill areas or hike throughout the dry creek areas.
The campground is open all year with available tent sites, picnic areas, showers, toilets, water and an RV dump site. There is a $5 per day use fee and $14 to $17 fee for overnight camping. For reservations, call (800) 322-3770. Unreserved sites are on a first come, first served basis.
Bob's favorite time to travel and hike through the Park is after a rain storm. You'll see some awesome waterfalls throughout your walk. Sunsets are gorgeous too!!
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Quail Creek State Park & Reservoir
Phone: (800) 322-3770
http://www.stateparks.utah.gov
Quail Creek State Park is located about 11 miles northeast of St. George just off Interstate 15 at the Hurricane Exit (Exit 16) which is Highway 59. Just off that exit, you'll travel about 5 miles to the turn off to Quail Lake. The State Fairgrounds is on your right side as is the Washington County Prison. You'll know that's the time to turn left. Follow the short winding road and be ready to turn right into the pay and unloading area. Park rangers monitor the lake all day and are kindly giving out tickets so make sure your registered, safe and sober!!
Fishing, jet skiing, water-skiing, boating and swimming attract outdoor enthusiasts to the Park. Campsite, picnic facilities and restrooms are available. There is a $6 per day use fee and an $11 overnight camping fee.
If you don't have a boat, jet ski or other "toy", just go to the lake and play in the water and enjoy the beaches. There is plenty of "off limits to watercraft" areas so you and others will remain safe. Approximately 75 boats are allowed on the lake at one time.
As a point in history, in the late 1980's, the dam broke at Quail Lake flooding the terrain where the Virgin River runs. Many areas were destroyed and under water for quite some time. Below our office at RE/MAX, the bridge was washed away and remained gone until the early 1990's.
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Sand Hollow Reservoir And Recreation Area
Phone: (435) 879-2378
http://www.stateparks.utah.gov
Sand Hollow is the "crown jewel" of southern Utah outdoors recreation. Opened in 2000, Sand Hollow is the largest of the local reservoirs in Washington County. It's just 5.5 miles southwest of Hurricane City or just 12.5 miles northeast of St. George. In fact, if you go to Quail Lake and it's too busy, drive another couple of miles on Highway 59 and go to Sand Hollow!!
When full, the reservoir will hold 50,000 acre feet of water. This is 10,000 more than the nearby Quail Creek Reservoir. The Park offers a unique blend of water-based recreation, walking paths and adjacent off-road ATV vehicle recreation areas of the Hurricane Sand Dunes. Camping and restroom sites are available. Call for reservations because Sand Hollow fills up fast with guests.
Approximately 150 boats are allowed at Sand Hollow which is double that of Quail Creek. You can fish, swim, play in the "no watercraft" restricted areas or just "hang out" and enjoy the red rock outcroppings and beauty. If you're daring, jump off a nearby rock cliff!! Park rangers and local Coast Guard certified staff is on site daily.
Speaking from experience as a personal boat owner, I LOVE TO TAKE MY FAMILY TO SAND HOLLOW!!
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Pine Valley Mountain
Phone: (435) 652-3100
http://www.fs.fed.us./dxnf
Pine Valley Mountain is located in the Dixie National Forest 35 miles north of St. George on State Road 18 (S.R. 18). This is Bluff Street going north toward Winchester Hills, The Ledges Golf community, Diamond Valley, Dammeron Valley, Veyo and Central.
At about 7,000 feet in elevation, the towering pines beckon to visitors who can fish, hike, camp, or picnic in a beautiful mountain setting. There is a $11 per vehicle per night camping fee in the various campgrounds. Day use fees for picnicking in all picnic areas apply. In the West Ponderosa Picnic Area, it is first come first served and there is a $2 per carload entry fee. There is also a day use fee of $2.
Bob and his family own a cabin in Pine Valley. It's Bob's therapy!! It's about 10-15 degrees cooler than St. George, easy to get to and loads of fun. If you can't find Bob at work, he's either golfing, boating or at his Pine Valley cabin.
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Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
Phone: (435) 634-5759
http://www.redcliffsdesertreserve.com
This 61,000 acre scenic desert located north and west 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. For camping information, refer to the Reserve's map and trail guide or call the Reserve offices or the BLM (435) 688-3246.
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Red Cliffs Recreation Area
Phone: (435) 634-5759
http://www.ut.blm.gov/st_george/play.html
Red Cliffs Recreation Area is located 4.5 miles south of Leeds. From St. George, take Interstate 15 (I-15) north to the Leeds exit (Exit 22), then turn right onto a County road and head south to Harrisburg. Turn right and drive through the Interstate 15 underpass (Clearance is 11' 6") and follow the signs to the Recreation Area, administered by the BLM.
Here, you can explore beautiful red rock terrain north of Quail Creek, along the eastern slope of Pine Valley Mountain. 9 tent sites and hiking areas are open year round. There is a $2 per vehicle day use fee and an $8 per vehicle overnight camping fee.
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Gunlock State Park & Recreation
Phone: (435) 628-2255
http://www.stateparks.utah.gov
Gunlock Reservoir is 15 miles northwest of St. George near the town of Gunlock. From St. George, head north on Bluff Street and turn left (west on Sunset Blvd) and head through the town of Santa Clara and past the Shivwits Indian Reservation on old Highway 91. Turn right onto the County road to Gunlock and follow the signs to Gunlock Reservoir. There is a $5 day use fee and an $8 overnight camping fee. The 240 acre reservoir offers boating, swimming, fishing and limited camping. Note: not all boats are allowed at Gunlock. Depending upon the Spring runoff, canoes or boats without motors may not be allowed. Call before going. It's usually not too crowded and lots of fun!
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