Opportunities for outdoor adventures in St. George are endless. Whether you’re on the water or on the trails, the fun never ends. Learn about the best outdoor things to do in Southern Utah below.
The St. George area is the place to be for outdoor water adventures! While tubing or hiking through the Virgin River and various waterfall hikes draw thousands of visitors here every year, many people don’t realize that we are also a great location for boating! Washington County is home to two beautiful lakes that both feature incredible red rock scenery, warm water, and plenty of sunshine.
Boat & Jet Ski Rentals
Sand Hollow State Park (1,322-acre reservoir) in Hurricane is about 15-20 minutes from St. George. On the northwest side of Sand Hollow, you will find cliff jumping and a boat ramp, while the south side has a large sandy beach and a second boat ramp. Nearby rental shops such as The Beach at Sand Hollow and Mad Moose Rentals offer rentals for surf, ski, and wakeboard boats, jet skis, paddleboards, kayaks, mountain bikes, ATVs, and more! The Beach at Sand Hollow also has a restaurant onsite.
Quail Creek State Park (600-acre reservoir) is also located in Hurricane, about 15-20 minutes from St. George. Quail Creek has one boat ramp and smaller and rockier beach areas, but can be less crowded than Sand Hollow.
Sand Hollow and Quail Creek State Parks are a bit too small for large speed boats and houseboats, but Lake Powell (Wahweap and Antelope Point marinas are about two hours east) and Lake Mead (about 2 hours southwest) are very large lakes that can make for a great day trip while staying in St. George!
Traveling to St. George to ATV, four-wheel, dirt bike, or Jeep? The St. George area has great options for everyone! Whether you’re a beginner and would like to schedule an ATV or Jeep tour with a company like UTV Adventure Tours, or are an experienced rider looking for a challenging trail, you’ll find many fantastic options here with different types of scenery. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, a camera, and a map or a GPS!
Book an ATV Tour
If you’re looking for fun trails to follow and explore, maybe do a bit of rock crawling and see some spectacular views, check out the Long Valley Recreation Area, Warner Valley, and The West Rim! All can be found along the far east side of St. George, just past Washington City.
For riding in the sand dunes, you can visit Sand Hollow State Park, Sand Mountain, and Coral Pink Sand Dunes. You’ll find these options in the Hurricane area, about 15-20 minutes from St. George, or right from Sand Hollow utilizing rentals and tours with Mad Moose!
Canyoneering is one of the best ways to experience Southern Utah. For inexperienced adventurers, Orderville Canyon, Johnson Arch Canyon, and Zion Nation Park can offer a great first experience. If you crave a little more of an adventurous experience, Buckskin Gulch, Neon Canyon, Heaps Canyon, and Imlay Canyon can get your adrenaline pumping!
We recommend working with a tour company to plan your experience. Our preferred partner for canyoneering trips is East Zion Adventures.
If you want to see, feel, and breathe in the beauty of Zion National Park, but you don’t want to hike or go canyoneering, horseback riding is the perfect option. Experience a tour of Zion horseback riding tour through the stunning landscapes of Southern Utah without having to break a sweat. Our preferred partner for guided horseback tours is East Zion Adventures.
Experience the thrill of an off-road adventure with beauty that is unmatched! Jeep tours are a fun and unique way to tour Zion National Park. East Zion Adventures offers a variety of guided Jeep tours that combine the thrill of 4x4 off-roading with a gorgeous scenic tour of the best of Southern Utah.
