Summer Adventures in St. George, Utah

The desert landscapes around St. George offer up year round outdoor experiences and come summer some of the best adventures in Southwest Utah are out on the water. Whether you prefer to relax on a sandy beach with your toes in the water, paddle on a desert lake or rappel along a canyon waterfall Washington County has a water adventure for everyone. When summer temperatures soar check out these great ways to cool off near St. George.

This post was written in collaboration with Travel Mindset and the Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office. The Casual Travelist contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase or book a hotel through these links the Casual Travelist receives a small commission that helps support this site at no additional cost to you.

Hike the Narrows

Zion National Park is one of the most popular destinations in the United States; with dramatic red rock cliffs and sandstone canyons it’s no surprise that Utah’s first national park attracts millions of visitors every year. Summer is a great time to take in one of Zion’s most iconic hikes, the Narrows. There are two options for hiking the Narrows, the Bottom Up Day Hike (an out and back hike), or the Top-Down Thru-Hike which requires a permit and will take at least 12 hours. For the Bottom-Up Day Hike once you pass the Gateway of the Narrows 95% of the hike will be in the Virgin River with Zion’s famous sandstone canyons rising up above you. Be sure to check the website for Zion National Park for trail conditions before you hike.

The hiking possibilities in Zion are endless and many of the best Zion hikes are family friendly. My friend Rob, a family travel expert at 2 Travel Dads loves bringing his family to Zion. “We found that hiking in Zion National Park is great both for being challenged or for easy exploring with the kids. The Canyon Overlook trail is our top pick for both thrill and views, and it’s doable with kids.”

Swim at Sand Hollow State Park

Just 20 minutes from downtown St. George Sand Hollow State Park is an oasis in southern Utah. This reservoir offers sandy beaches perfect for families and red rock formations where you can jump into the cool turquoise water. If fishing is your thing this 1,000 acre lake is home to bluegill and largemouth bass or you can even learn to scuba dive in the middle of the desert with Dixie Divers, Utah’s only PADI 5 star IDC diving center.

Paddle at Quail Creek State Park

Just down the road from Sand Hollow you’ll find Quail Creek State Park. While this lake is smaller than Sand Hollow it’s no less no less stunning.  The calm water at Quail Creek State Park is perfect for kayaking, SUP and SUP yoga among the backdrop of south Utah’s famous red rocks.

Escape the Crowds at Gunlock State Park

Even though Gunlock State Park is the closest park to downtown St. George it has a fraction of the visitors that the other parks get. Pack a picnic and your favorite float for a crowd-free respite from the summer sun.

Take a Dip at Toquerville Falls

For locals and in-the-know visitors up for an off-road adventure Toquerville Falls offers up a secret swimming hole along the border of Zion National Park. The road leading to the falls is unpaved and can be rocky or sandy so a 4×4 is your best option. The effort to get to Toquerville Falls is well rewarded, the end of the road brings you to a double-decker waterfall that cascades into hidden desert pool.

Canyoneering through Slot Canyons

If you’re looking for a summer adventure with a little more adrenaline then it’s time you give canyoneering a try. The desert in and around Zion National Park is home to a number of slot canyons making this one of the best areas in the country for canyoneering. Check out Zion Adventure Company whose knowledgeable guides will have you scrambling over rocks, wading through pools and rappelling down canyons for an adventure you will never forget.