35 Best Things to Do in St George, Utah (in 2024)

👉 Jump to: Best Things to Do in St. George | Outdoor Activities | City Activities | FAQ

The list of the best things to do in St. George could go on forever. This southern Utah town isn’t only a great base camp location for hitting top Utah national parks, but it’s also a mecca for slot canyoning, rock climbing, and fun city museums.

As a local Southwesterner who’s spent copious time in Utah, including 8 separate trips this year alone, I’m pretty well versed with the ins and outs of the red sandstone state.

I’m here to help you devise the best St. George itinerary suited to your travel interests. I’ve also got a guide to staying in St. George, if you need accommodation.

Notification: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

35 Best Things to Do in St. George, Utah

Zion National Park

Zion’s red sandstone valleys and slot canyons appeal to even the most devout city folks.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 772-3256 | Zion National Park Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $35 per vehicle | 👉 Book Zion National Park Tour on Viator

Zion National Park takes the cake for one of the top things to do in St. George. This southern Utah location is one of the coolest national parks in Utahthanks to its wide variety of hiking trails, slot canyons, and rock climbing routes.

I typically download iOverlander and camp for free right outside of the park on BLM land but there are many affordable places to stay closer to the national park entrance, like these top Zion hotels.

I highly recommend hiking the Zion Narrows if visiting Zion National Park in the summer to beat the heat. You’ll want to stay away from slot canyons in the winter and spring due to flooding risks, so try the Watchman Trail or Angels Landing instead (minus the cable section that closes in the winter).

Bryce Canyon National Park

A sea of copper hoodoo desert formations creates a fun, playground-like hiking environment in Southern Utah.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 834-5322 | Bryce Canyon National Park Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: $35 per vehicle | 👉 Book Bryce Canyon National Park Tour on Viator

Bryce Canyon National Park is another famous red sandstone Utah park, only 2 hours from St. George. Whimsical formations called hoodoos set the stage at Bryce Canyon, one of the top U.S. national parks, and hiking among the staggering stone characters makes for a unique experience in the park.

Try to make it to Bryce Point for sunrise or sunset, one of my favorite activities in the park. The whole hoodoo canyon comes alive with soft hues, transforming the landscape at these times. While dogs may not be allowed on the hiking trails, they are allowed at the sunset viewpoints; all the more reason to visit.

Kanab

Sandwiched by top Utah national parks, Kanab is in the perfect southern Utah location with its own heap of slot canyons and fun hiking trails.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 644-2534 | Kanab Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book Kanab Tour on Viator

Most Utah visitors skip past Kanab when headed to the national parks, but I suggest staying for a night or two to check out the fun things to do in Kanab. Check out cool hikes around Kanab or visit the Little Hollywood desert film museum for a true ‘Wild West’ experience.

My favorite place to explore near Kanab is the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. This wilderness area is less visited than other popular recreation areas in Utah and holds just as much magic in its slot canyon walls.

I recommend hiking Buckskin Gulch or The Wave. Both hikes, however, require permits which can be snagged via Recreation.gov.

Snow Canyon State Park

An expansive state park that’s been the site of many Western films and is perfect for camping under the stars. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 628-2255 | Snow Canyon State Park Website | Hours: 6 am-10 pm daily | Entrance: $15 per vehicle

Snow Canyon State Park is where a terrain of ancient lava flows intermingle with sandstone cliffs. This site was once home to ancestral dwellers, as evident in the artifacts found throughout the state park. 

Additionally, Snow Canyon has been the filming location of many Western movies. Wander around the dense desert landscape and imagine yourself transported in time to the days of Butch Cassidy and other desert outlaws.

Hiking, photography, camping, and wildlife spotting are the top activities in the state park. Bring a telescope and admire the undisrupted view of the galaxy up close.

Goosebumps Bike Trail

Put your mountain biking skills to the test on this wild adventure of a singletrack ride.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 688-3200 | Goosebumps Bike Trail Website | Hours: Sunrise-sunset | Entrance: Free

Goosebumps bike trail is a 3.5-mile wild adventure for mountain biking enthusiasts. The technical terrain of this trail and roller coaster drops make Goosebumps a fun intermediate track best suited for bikers with a bit of experience.

While the bulk of the main trail is a bit challenging, there are side trails that jut out from the main route that are better suited for mountain biking novices. This singletrack path can only be reached via the Jem Trail, Cryptobionic Trail, or the Dead Ringer Trail.

Grafton Ghost Town

Wander around a town in shambles, which may be covered in rust today but was once a booming settlement in its heyday.

📍 Google Maps | Grafton Ghost Town Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book Grafton Ghost Town Tour on Viator

Grafton Ghost Town is the perfect place in Utah to uncover the mysteries of the state’s gold rush past. Here, wander through historic streets, past old mines, and through the remnants of abandoned buildings.

Grafton was established in 1859 but because subsidence was hard to come by and crops planted by its first settlers repeatedly failed, the site was quickly abandoned in 1866. The photogenic site has since been in countless movies and is visited today by hundreds of weekly visitors.

Jacob Hamblin Home

History lovers must check out this historic St. George home that once served as the old living quarters for the Southern Utah Indian Mission President.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 677-6230 | Jacob Hamblin Home Website | Hours: 10 am-6 pm Monday-Saturday, 12-6 pm Sundays | Entrance: Free

Beginning in 1863, the Jacob Hamblin Home once housed the Southern Utah Indian Mission president and his family.

This historic museum educates visitors about Utah’s Indigenous past and what life was like for settlers on the frontier in the early days of the state. This southern Utah excursion is the perfect outing for history lovers and museum frequenters alike.

St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site

See real fossilized dinosaur tracks at this unique St. George site.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 574-3466 | St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site Website | Hours: 10 am-5 pm daily, Closed Tuesdays | Entrance: $10, adults, $9 over 69, $5 ages 5-17, Free under 5

The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site is filled with thousands of fossilized dinosaur footprints. Your kids will be raving about this fun St. George attraction for weeks on end. I mean, who wouldn’t have a blast walking among ancient dinosaur remnants?

Visit this Johnson Farm site to learn more about these prehistoric creatures at one of the scheduled talks like the Paleo Talk: Birds or Horned Dinosaurs events. Discovering relics of the ancient past is hands down one of the best things to do in Utah.

Town Square Park

Need somewhere to rest for a while in between fun St. George attractions? Town Square Park is the place for you, located in the center of town.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 627-4530 | Town Square Park Website | Hours: 10 am-7:30 pm Sunday-Thursday, 9 am-10 pm Fridays & Saturdays | Entrance: Free

Town Square Park is a great place to get to know St. George. Kids will love the carousel in the middle of the park, as well as the park fountain on hot days. 

Town Square Park is located in the Historic Downtown District and is the perfect spot to meet Utah locals or unwind with a good book after a long day of exploring.

Red Hills Desert Garden

Bring a book or a picnic and relax around hundreds of native Utah plants at this endangered species garden.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 673-3617 | Red Hills Desert Garden Website | Hours: 6 am-10 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Red Hills Desert Garden is an interactive garden that has both endangered species and prehistoric tracks in one location, the latter of which dates back 200 million years. 

Red Hills Desert Garden is one of my favorite places to take photos in St. George. Go in your best dress and pose for graduation, baby announcements, or engagement photos.

Outdoor Activities in St. George

Yankee Doodle Hollow

An easy St. George slot canyon doable for adventurers of all fitness levels.

📍 Google Maps | Yankee Doodle Hollow Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Yankee Doodle Hollow is a short 0.8-mile hike and is one of the best slot canyons in Utah. Seasoned slot canyoneers can bring a rope and rappel down into the canyon, while beginners can tackle the enclosed space on foot. 

An adventure through Yankee Doodle Hollow includes shimmying your way over boulders caught between canyon walls and treading through water (depending on the season).

Biking in Springdale

Ride past towering canyon walls and resident mule deer in style through Zion National Park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 772-3434 | Springdale Website | Hours: sunrise to sunset | 👉 Book Springdale Biking Tour on Viator

Going biking in Springdale is the best way to take on Zion from a new perspective. You can bring your own bike or rent one from a bike rental shop in downtown Springdale, the town right outside of the park entrance.

I love biking on the Pa’rus Trail in Zion National Park, one of the best places to visit in Utah because it’s the only trail that allows dogs. Biking along the road to the Narrows Trailhead is another fun activity, and entirely safe being that no cars are allowed on the national park road.

Quail Creek State Park

Visiting Southern Utah in the summer? You’ll want to check out the cooling waters of this state park, the perfect place to spend lazy summer days.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 879-2378 | Quail Creek State Park Website | Hours: 7 am-9 pm daily | Entrance: $15 per resident vehicle, $20 per out-of-state vehicle

Quail Creek is known for having some of the warmest waters year-round, making it a prime location for boating and fishing. You’ll often find me relaxing lakeside at Quail Creek State Park come summertime in St. George. 

Book a campsite around the lake and enjoy a relaxing vacation at Quail Creek State Park. Some campsites have power and water and there are paddleboard rentals right on the water, making this location ideal for families with children. There are free pit toilets for all to use.

Sand Hollow State Park

Put your off-roading skills to the test on the dunes at Sand Hollow State Park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 680-0715 | Sand Hollow State Park Website | Hours: 6 am-10 pm daily | Entrance: $20 per vehicle

Are you an avid off-roader? Do you have an ATV and are looking for places to vacation that allow you to shred without limitations? Then Sand Hollow State Park is the place for you!

Sand Hollow is one of Utah’s newer state parks and is situated right around the Sand Hollow Reservoir. Not only is this state park a fun place to go off-roading, but it’s also a fun camping spot with other pastime activities like swimming, boating, and fishing.

📚 Related Reading:Utah Packing List

Panaca Warm Springs

Soak in warm springs year-round at this natural site right across the state line.

📍 Google Maps | Panaca Warm Springs Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

Technically just over the border in Nevada, Panaca Warm Springs is one of the best hot springs in Utah. These springs are completely free and with a maximum temperature of 85 degrees, are accessible year-round.

There’s room for all at this lake-size warm spring, so bring the whole family!

Virgin River Rafting

Hold on tight as you go soaring down the commanding river of Southern Utah.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book Virgin River Rafting Tour on Viator

Taking a raft ride on the Virgin River in Southern Utah is one of the best St. George activities for people of all thrill levels. Many companies around St. George offer rafting tours down the raging river or you can bring your own tube and opt for a more luxurious, slower-paced rafting experience.

Jenny’s Canyon Trail

Jenny’s Canyon Trail is one of the quickest, easiest slot canyons in Utah that’s perfect for new canyoneers.

📍 Google Maps | Jenny’s Canyon Trail Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

Jenny’s Canyon Trail is another top slot canyon near St. George, Utah. At only 0.3 miles roundtrip, this is one of the most accessible slot canyons in Utah that even the most inexperienced canyoneer can enjoy.

Jenny’s Canyon Trail is a great introductory-level slot canyon that can be finished within minutes. Check it out in the springtime or early summer to witness the vibrant wildflower blooms in the area. 

Hiking in the Pine Valley Mountains

Lace up the hiking boots and hit the trails surrounding St. George, some of which reach heights of over 10,000 feet.

📍 Google Maps | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free

St. George is covered in hiking trails from head to toe. The surrounding Pine Valley Mountains beckon to be hiked, including the 10,365-foot Signal Peak, the highest mountain in the range.

Part of the Dixie National Forest, the Pine Valley Mountains are a great place to take on hiking trails, mountain biking trails, backcountry camping, and equestrian trails. However, be sure to look out for rattlesnakes on your hike, as they live in all ecosystems in Southern Utah.

Red Cliffs Recreation Area

Camp under the stars at this huge expanse of desert wilderness area only minutes outside St. George.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 688-3200 | Red Cliffs Recreation Area Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

More than 45,000 acres of protected wilderness area comprise the Red Cliffs Recreation Area in Southwest Utah. This dense expanse of desert is only 20 minutes outside of St. George and provides opportunities for solitude and natural quiet.

Be sure to look out for ancient dinosaur tracks, bone beds, plant fossils, and petrified wood during your stay in the Red Cliffs Recreation Area.

City Activities in St. George

Day Trip to Las Vegas

Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the Southwest, is less than two hours from St. George.

📍 Google Maps | Las Vegas Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free | 👉 Book Las Vegas Tour on Viator

Everyone should experience the grandeur of “Sin City” at least once. This iconic Southwest destination is less than two hours from St. George and hosts a wild array of attractions for tourists of all ages. 

There are so many fun things to do in Las Vegas like catching a live Cirque du Soleil show, lounging by a resort pool, climbing on the red rocks, and trying your luck on the slot machines.

Check out our complete list of things to do in Las Vegas with kids before your trip too!

McQuarrie Memorial Museum

Learn more about the first Mormon settlers in the area at this educational museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 628-7274 | McQuarrie Memorial Museum Website | Hours: 10 am-5 pm daily, Closed Wednesdays & Sundays

The McQuarrie Memorial Museum was formed by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers coalition in 1921 and today houses pioneer artifacts from the earliest days of settlement in St. George.

See photos and learn about the history of the brave settlers who migrated west under the direction of Brigham Young at this interactive museum in Downtown St. George.  

Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum

You don’t have to venture too far out of your airport gate to enjoy the St. George Aviation Museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 669-0655 | Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum Website | Hours: 10 am-4 pm| Entrance: $5, adult, Free under 18

St. George is crawling with fun museums to visit for the whole family. The Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum is located at the St. George Airport and is dedicated to preserving and restoring aircraft for public education.

Be sure to check the Western Sky Aviation Warbird Museum website before you go to see if there are any fun events coming up. This year, the museum is hosting its annual WarBird Fly-In event in late October which consists of seeing the aviators in action high above the clouds.

Bloomington Petroglyph Park

View ancient petroglyphs in the heart of downtown St. George.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 627-4000 | Bloomington Petroglyph Park Website | Hours: 6 am-6 pm daily  

View large boulders with Indigenous petroglyphs in the heart of St. George. The Bloomington Petroglyph Park petroglyph scenes depict mostly human and animal forms, as well as early maps. 

No reservation is required to visit the park but for the sake of preservation, the park officials strongly discourage touching and tampering with the petroglyphs. Help preserve the ancient stories of the past by leaving no trace and admiring them from a distance.

St. George Utah Temple

Visit the most impressive Mormon temple in town, the first of its kind in the state.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 673-3533 | St. George Utah Temple Website | Hours: 8 am-8 pm daily, Closed Sunday 

The St. George Utah Temple is the longest-operating temple of its kind in Utah. It is also the only temple that was completed during Brigham Young’s 30-year tenure as president of the church and is, therefore, a highly regarded church in the Mormon faith.

Today, only the Salt Lake City Temple is grander than the St. George Utah Temple. Visit the temple next time you’re in town to view one of the most significant places of worship in the area since the first settlers.

Yant Flat (Candy Cliffs)

One of the longer hikes in St. George that has almost 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

📍 Google Maps | Yant Flat Website | Hours: 24 hours | Entrance: Free 

The Yant Flats to Candy Cliffs hike is a great way to get a good workout in St. George. This 5.3-mile trail climbs nearly 1,000 feet in elevation gain, weaving in and out of gorgeous paintbrush swaths of red and white sandstone.

The entire trail is exposed and can heat up quickly in the summer. I suggest either hiking this trail early in the morning before sunrise or sticking to hiking in a shaded, wet slot canyon if visiting St. George in the summer. Plus, Yant Flat is one of the most popular hikes in Utah and is 100% dog-friendly.

Pioneer Park

A huge recreational park that’s home to some of the best rock climbing routes in the greater St. George area.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 627-4530 | Pioneer Park Website | Hours: 6 am-10 pm daily | Entrance: Free 

Pioneer Park is an impressive 52-acre park in St. George, Utah. This is one of the best places to go rock climbing in southern Utah. There’s also a large pavilion at Pioneer Park with two barbecues and a fire pit surrounded by Navajo Sandstone. 

Go for a hike on the nearby mesas and buttes or simply enjoy relaxing in the park for the day.

Veyo Pool Resort Hot Springs

Soak in some hot springs, take a dip in the pool, or go rock climbing at this fun Southern Utah resort.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 574-2300 | Veyo Pool Resort Hot Springs Website | Hours: 10 am-6 pm spring hours, 10 am-6 pm fall hours | Entrance: $16, free under 2

Veyo Pool Resort Hot Springs is home to relaxing springs a spring-fed pool, rock climbing routes, and crawdad catching in the nearby lake. While Veyo Pool Resort Hot Springs may not be natural springs, they sure do provide fun for all!

Day passes are available to enjoy the springs for a few hours or guests can book a night in the provided lodging and enjoy the springs all night long. 

Sears Art Museum

Get to know the local Utah art community at the frequent artist events held at the Sears Art Museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 652-7909 | Sears Art Museum Website | Hours: 9 am-5 pm daily, Closed Saturdays & Sundays | Entrance: Free 

The Sears Art Museum at Utah Tech University hosts fun events filled with live music, local artist talks, and refreshments. Hanging out at a Sears Art Museum event is the best way to meet the local community.

The Sears Art Museum hosts six exhibits each year from traditional to contemporary art styles and everything in between. Check out the museum when you’ve tired yourself out with outdoor activities in St. George and need a relaxing day in the city.

Silver Reef Ghost Town

Silver Reef was once a booming silver mining town and remnants of this hustle and bustle can be seen today at the abandoned site.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 879-2254 | Silver Reef Ghost Town Website | Hours: 10 am-3 pm daily, Closed Sundays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays | Entrance: $4, adults

An old mining boomtown in its 1800s heyday, Silver Reef Ghost Town caught widespread popularity thanks to the discovery of silver in sandstone at the site. Today, walking trails take you past the mines and old homes of frontier folk who struck luck with their silver findings.

Stop by the on-site museum to learn more about the history of Silver Reef Ghost Town or take a walking tour from a trained docent.

Brigham Young Winter Home

Visit the historic winter home of the pioneering leader of the Mormon faith and the figure that brought settlers to St. George.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 677-6230 | Brigham Young Winter Home Website | Hours: 10 am-6 pm Monday-Saturday, 12 pm-6 pm Sundays | Entrance: Free

Visit the home that Brigham Young inhabited during the cold winter months in St. George. The house that was once home to the pioneer of the Mormon faith is now an educational museum about the religion and the treacherous journey made by Young and his followers.

This is one of the best free things to do in St. George and is a great way to get to know the city on a more personal level.

St. George Children’s Museum

Unleash your inner child as you play with your children around the 12 interactive exhibits of the Children’s Museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 986-4000 | St. George Children’s Museum Website | Hours: 10 am-5 pm daily, Closed Sundays & Mondays | Entrance: $6.25 

Visit the St. George Children’s Museum when traveling to Southern Utah with kids. This is a top kid favorite in the area thanks to the array of fun exhibits and events like Make Art Tuesdays, TinkerLab, and Storytime with Kris.

The museum encourages guests to play throughout their 12 exhibit rooms, a child’s dream come true.

The museum encourages both children and adults to play, so don’t expect to drop your child off and have a relaxing day at the spa. The St. George Children’s Museum is one of my favorite places to go to bond with my younger family members and explore our creativity together. 

Kayenta Art Village

The most happening town in St. George is a cafe-lover hipster’s paradise.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 688-8535 | Kayenta Art Village Website | Hours: 10 am-5 pm daily | Entrance: Free

Surrounded by quintessential red rock beauty, the Kayenta Art Village is a fun St. George outing for art appreciators and new town visitors alike. 

Besides browsing around the resident art galleries, visitors can also shop, hike, view petroglyphs, or catch a concert in the Kayenta Art Village. This trendy southern Utah community is truly a hipster’s paradise.

Green Gate Village

Shop ‘til you drop at the most popular retail establishment in town.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 767-7658 | Green Gate Village Website | Hours: 10 am-8 pm Monday-Friday, 10 am-6 pm Saturdays, Closed Sundays | Entrance: Free 

Shop in style at the Green Gate Village. Here, you’ll find the widest variety of shops and restaurants in St. George, right in the middle of the historic downtown. Green Gate Village also hosts a wide variety of community events like concerts and social hours, both of which are great ways to meet St. George locals.

Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum

A most unusual wildlife experience awaits at Rosenbruch.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 301-7777 | Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum Website | Hours: | Entrance: 

The Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum is home to over 300 taxidermied animals, the only one of its kind in Utah. Follow an audio tour on your phone as you view the exhibits of the animals poised as they would in their natural habitat. A trip to the Rosenbruch World Wildlife Museum will definitely be unforgettable. 

Dixie Red Hills Golf Course

Golf in one of the most scenic locations in the Southwest.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (435) 627-4444 | Dixie Red Hills Golf Course Website | Hours: 8 am-8 pm daily 

This Dixie Red Hills Golf Course is one of the most scenic in the Southwest and should be on every golf enthusiast’s itinerary. Golfing surrounded by 360 degrees of Navajo Sandstone and deeply jutted gorges is an unparalleled experience. 

FAQs About What to Do in St. George

***

You made it to the end of my ultimate guide on the best things to do in St. George! Be sure to comment below which activity is your favorite and give our camping in Utah guide a read for more red rock outdoor fun!