This time of year is great for hiking in St. George. The weather is starting to cool off, but it’s still warm enough to not need those extra layers. Not only is the weather great, hiking outside is the perfect way to get active and safely leave the house during the COVID-19 lockdown. While the hiking possibilities in the St. George area are seemingly endless, here are a few of our favorite hikes. For your convenience, we’ve organized the hikes by experience level!
Easy Hikes: A Slot Canyon, Petrified Sand Dunes, & Petroglyphs
Jenny’s Canyon Trail
Length: 0.3 miles round trip, 13 feet of elevation gain
Level: Easy
Time to Finish: Approximately 10 minutes
Jenny’s Canyon Trail is an easy, kid-friendly hike with plenty of views. Along the way, you can bird-watch and look at beautiful wildflowers. This hike leads you to a short, sculpted slot canyon. Jenny’s Canyon Trail is located in Snow Canyon State Park and is closed annually from March 15th to June 1st.
Petrified Dunes Trail
Length: 1.2 miles round trip, 216 feet of elevation gain
Level: Easy
Time to Finish: Approximately 45 minutes
Another trail located in Snow Canyon State Park, Petrified Dunes Trail is a high reward hike for how short this trail is. Kid-friendly and full of wildflowers, this hike is over Navajo sandstone outcrops and sand dunes frozen in time. Scramble, climb and hike to the top for beautiful views.
Little Black Mountain Petroglyphs Site
Length: 0.8 miles round trip, 49 feet of elevation gain
Level: Easy
Time to Finish: Approximately 30 minutes
Little Black Mountain Petroglyphs Site is a geological site with several hundred petroglyphs from thousands of years ago. There is a dirt road to get to the start of this trail, so make sure your vehicle can handle it and do not go when it is raining. This site is kid-friendly and offers picnic tables to take a break and enjoy some snacks once you get there.
Moderate Hikes: Red Cliffs, an Arch, & Caves
Owen’s Loop
Length: 2.7 miles round trip, 417 feet of elevation gain
Level: Moderate
Time to Finish: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Owen’s Loop provides a great view of St. George city while hiking in Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. This hike is dog-friendly and offers great bird watching. The trail can be hard to find and is not really a loop except for the last little bit, so make sure you are prepared and have your map open. Towards the end of this hike, you’ll have views of the St. George South Sandstone Quarry
Elephant Arch Trail
Length: 3.8 miles round trip, 341 feet of elevation gain
Level: Moderate
Time to Finish: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Elephant Arch Trail is a dog-friendly hike that is also used for horseback riding. There is no shade on this trail, and it goes partly through a wash, so be careful during extreme weather conditions. Throughout this trail are beautiful views, and near the end, there is an arch that resembles an elephant’s head and trunk!
Scout Cave Trail
Length: 4.4 miles round trip, 613 feet of elevation gain
Level: Moderate
Time to Finish: Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes
Scout Cave Trail will have you passing over lava flow fields, wildflowers, stream beds, and sandstone rocks. Located just outside of Snow Canyon State Park, this trail is dog-friendly and full of views. Towards the end of the hike, you’ll come across many stairs that lead you to a large cave overlooking St. George.
Hard Hikes: Peaks, Mountains, & 360 Views
Deidre Peak
Length: 7.3 miles round trip, 1,515 feet of elevation gain
Level: Hard
Time to Finish: Approximately 4 hours
During your hike on Deidre Peak Trail, you’ll experience scenic views, bird watching, lava tubes, and river beds. This trail is not for beginners, as there are some serious scrambling areas and points that are only a few feet wide with 1,000 ft drops. For experienced hikers, these trials are worth it, as the views at the summit are stunning.
Snow Canyon Red Mountain Trail
Length: 12.1 miles round trip, 1,430 feet of elevation gain
Level: Hard
Time to Finish: Approximately 6 hours
Snow Canyon Red Mountain Trail holds some of the best views in all of Southern Utah. This dog-friendly hike boasts wildflowers, varying landscapes, and beautiful views. This trail is not maintained or marked, so be prepared with your map or GPS.
Mollies Nipple Trail
Length: 1.7 miles, 1,207 feet of elevation gain
Level: Hard
Time to Finish: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Mollies Nipple Trail is located just outside of St. George in Hurricane (pronounced “Her-ah-kun” by locals). This trail is only for experienced hikers, as it is a very steep trail. Make sure you have the proper equipment when you do this trail, such as hiking boots and poles. While challenging, this hike offers beautiful 360 views at the top overlooking Hurricane, Sand Hollow State Park, and beyond!
During your stay at Freedom Vacation, make sure to check out one of these hikes, or maybe a few of them. Hikes are a great way to maintain social distancing, and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read our other blogs for more outdoor activities and information about the local area. Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have, we are always happy to help you plan your stay!
