Zion National Park may be the big draw for the thousands of visitors to St. George, Utah but the stunning southwestern landscapes don’t end at the park borders. St. George is home to four state parks that offer up beautiful red rock scenery that locals and in-the-know visitors love to explore (Check out what my friends at 2 Travel Dads had to say about how awesome visiting Utah’s state parks can be). I had the chance to visit Snow Canyon State Park and Red Cliffs Desert Reserve on my recent trip with Travel Mindset for #InstameetStGeorge and discovered that the state parks and protected land around St. George just might be some of southern Utah’s best kept secrets.
I traveled to St. George, Utah as part of a campaign with Travel Mindset and Visit St. George. As always, all opinions are my own.
Snow Canyon State Park
With red sandstone cliffs,canyons, arches and even petroglyphs Snow Canyon State Park has a bit of everything I love about the southwest. Named after prominent Utah pioneers Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, Snow Canyon has been an official state park since 1959 but the area has a long history from Anasazi and Paiute Indians to Mormon settlers. Today Snow Canyon offers over 36 miles of hiking trails that attracts outdoor adventurers from near and far. Only 20 minutes from downtown St. George, Snow Canyon State Park is a great add-on to any trip to Zion. Entrance fees are a very reasonable $6 per vehicle ( $3 per vehicle for seniors) and camping prices start at $20.
My introduction to Snow Canyon State Park was the Johnson Canyon trail an easy out and back trail that’s only open for hikes from November through mid-March. This is a great hike for families, my friend Eric brought his kids who loved scrambling around the red rocks and learning about the geology of the park. In just under two miles round trip we passed sage fields, canyons, red sandstone cliffs and ended with a 200 foot long arch. If you want to see the variety of landscapes that southern Utah is known for there may be no other hike that offers a better bang for your buck than the Johnson Canyon trail.
Smack dab in the middle of the park you’ll find the Petrified Dunes, hands down one of the most beautiful rock formations I’ve seen in the southwest. Much like the Wave in Arizona ( just without the crowds and need for permits) , sand dunes, Navajo sandstone and wind created these rolling dune formations and the effect is quite stunning. The dunes are visible from the main road and a short but moderate hike will bring you to the top of the dunes. With amazing views in all directions I really can’t imagine a better place to watch the sunset.
Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is a conservation area just north of St. George that offers up a variety of desert landscapes. The meeting point of the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau Red Cliffs Desert Reserve offers up a bit of Arizona and Colorado in a landscape that is uniquely southwest Utah. At nearly 20 miles Red Cliffs Desert Reserve offers up countless ways to experience the desert, from leisurely hikes and wildlife viewing (Mohave Desert tortoises, sidewinders and mountain lions call the Reserve home) to mountain biking and camping.
We started our hike at the Mill Creek trail head to trek out to Elephant Arch. This moderate hike is 2.5 miles over a variety of desert terrain including soft red sand (much of which ended up in my shoes), fields of sage and slick red sandstone. Most of this hike is out in the open so its best to make sure you have plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat as the desert sun can get quite intense, even in the winter. The hike culminates in a sandstone rock formation that does indeed look quite like an elephant.
More Utah Inspiration
These images will make you want to visit Bryce Canyon right now.
Explore all of the National Park Service sites in Utah.
Where are some of your favorite hikes in southwest Utah? Please share in the comments!
Andi says
I am a huge fan of this part of the country, it is stunningly gorgeous and during the winter there is hardly anyone!
Brianna says
Seriously, southern Utah has some absolutely stunning spots!
Mike says
So many beautiful places around St. George
Lori says
Gorgeous pics and I love that the trails are easily accessible and family friendly. I could sit for hours and watch the sun over the red rocks. Sounds like a great place to hike without the heavy crowds of some other Utah hot spots!
Brianna says
I didn’t have nearly enough time here, I would love to go back!
Katherine says
Wow, your pictures made my jaw drop. What a beautiful part of the country. And one I’ve been putting off visiting while I fit in other destinations. I really have to get there soon.
Brianna says
Southern Utah is one of my favorite spots in the US!
Candice says
I’ve always wanted to visit Zion National Park and this gives me more of a reason to find some people and hit up the area. Breathtaking views! Thanks for bringing light to an area not as well known.
Brianna says
Don’t forget to visit the parks outside Zion while you’re there!
Tarah Vongbouthdy says
We always love finding some great hikes, and we definitely need to add this part of Utah to our list. These are incredible hikes!
Brianna says
Easily one of the prettiest spots in the US!
Adventurous Kate says
I love your photos! So nice to see more on lesser-known national parks besides the big names. I would love to get there later this year — it’s embarrassing how few US national parks I’ve visited…
Brianna says
Thanks Kate! As much as I love travelling the world there are some gorgeous spots here in the US.
Anuradha Goyal says
Petrified dunes look so amazing. It almost feels like it was sand that has frozen in time. The almond color makes them stand out against the blue sky so well. What a lovely roundup of the state parks in Utah.
Brianna says
The Petrified DUnes were my favorite spot in SNow Canyon, absolutely stunning!
Carolina Colborn says
Best kept secrets alright. Was in St. George to visit Zion and Bryce. I should have known about those Petrified Dunes at Snow Canyon!
Brianna says
Perhaps a return trip is in order?
Indrani says
I am surprised it is such a beautiful place and not many people around!
My family would love this hike. And I would love it more for the photo opportunities.
Brianna says
I couldn’t stop taking pictures!
Jennifer says
At the Elephant Arch, it looks like there are caves or something carved in to the rock? What is that?
The petrified sand dunes look incredible. I’ve never been to St. George but getting to Utah to get outdoors has been on our list for years.
Brianna says
No cave that I know of, just some really cool formations from the winds and erosion.
Marissa says
These hikes are so beautiful! I’ve never been to Utah, but love the outdoors so need to add this to my list. Red Cliffs Desert Reserve looks like a beautiful place to do a sunrise or sunset hike.
Brianna says
I would love to go back for a sunset hike.
Nicki says
You may already know how obsessed I am with desert landscape and red rocks but these photos are just GORGEOUS!! I haven’t been to Utah in years – I think its time for a return trip!
Brianna says
Girl’s trip? 😉
Paige says
These look like some amazing hikes! Utah is my favorite state and I love hiking there. I’ve not done any of these trails. Red Cliffs Desert Reserve looks so amazing! I love the elephant formation!
Brianna says
I’ve barely scratched the surface, I would love to go back!
Francesca Murray says
Very good to know that the trail is easily accessible! I haven’t seen any of the red rocks in person yet but it’s high on my list for things to do in the States! Snow Canyon State Park just got added to my radar! Especially to see those Petrified Dunes
Brianna says
Seriously, you can get to these parks from downtown in less than 20 minutes!
Medha Verma says
I have heard of Zion National Park but never of the other two – Snow Canyon State Park and Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. I don;t live anywhere close to the US so I am not surprised that I haven’t heard of these places but I’m glad you’ve brought into attention some offbeat places which tourists probably don’t know of. I love the red sandstone cliffs of the Snow Canyon State Park and it’s good to know that they have more than 36 hiking trails to choose from, only shows you how humongous the national park is! The dunes and rock formations of the Desert reserve are also pretty incredible!