Cita’s guidebook
Sightseeing
With its 3 million visitors annually, Zion National Park is one of the top 10 most visited National Parks. Located just 28 miles from Hurricane, the 12 miles scenic Zion, Mt. Carmel Highway, is a must see! The best casual hike is the lower Emerald Pool Trail. It's just 1.2 miles and takes about an hour to walk. Be sure to see the brochure in the white cabinet or ask for a trail brochure when you arrive at the park.
86 locals recommend
Zion National Park
95 Zion Park BlvdWith its 3 million visitors annually, Zion National Park is one of the top 10 most visited National Parks. Located just 28 miles from Hurricane, the 12 miles scenic Zion, Mt. Carmel Highway, is a must see! The best casual hike is the lower Emerald Pool Trail. It's just 1.2 miles and takes about an hour to walk. Be sure to see the brochure in the white cabinet or ask for a trail brochure when you arrive at the park.
Located in the red rock country near St. George, this park enjoys mild winter weather and seldom receives snow. The park was named after early Utah leaders Lorenzo an Erastus Snow. It offers some 16 miles of hiking trails, technical rock climbing, hiking and horseback riding. All of this is set against a stunning backdrop of towering sandstone cliffs colored red and white. A jumble of black rock casts some ridges and tubes down the hillsides. The sand dunes inside the park make a popular play spot.
Snow Canyon
Located in the red rock country near St. George, this park enjoys mild winter weather and seldom receives snow. The park was named after early Utah leaders Lorenzo an Erastus Snow. It offers some 16 miles of hiking trails, technical rock climbing, hiking and horseback riding. All of this is set against a stunning backdrop of towering sandstone cliffs colored red and white. A jumble of black rock casts some ridges and tubes down the hillsides. The sand dunes inside the park make a popular play spot.
Sand Hollow Park is my absolute, hands-down favorite local place. There is so much to do there. It is the perfect place for families and adventure seekers. The change in scenery is ***dramatic***. The park’s beautiful water contrasts against the red rock to create picture-perfect landscapes. Hiking is easy, too. You can rent jet ski's, boats, have a picnic, swim, and if you are feeling adventurous, there is rock outcropping (a favorite spot for jumping off). An ABSOLUTE 'must see'.
7 locals recommend
Sand Hollow State Park
Sand Hollow State ParkSand Hollow Park is my absolute, hands-down favorite local place. There is so much to do there. It is the perfect place for families and adventure seekers. The change in scenery is ***dramatic***. The park’s beautiful water contrasts against the red rock to create picture-perfect landscapes. Hiking is easy, too. You can rent jet ski's, boats, have a picnic, swim, and if you are feeling adventurous, there is rock outcropping (a favorite spot for jumping off). An ABSOLUTE 'must see'.
Fun for the Family
The Sand Hollow Aquatics Center features a 25m x 25m competition and diving pool and a 58000 Sq. Ft leisure pool. Catering to the whole family, the leisure pool has a Zero-depth entry, interactive children's water area, a water walk and water slides. Various sprays and moving water provide the ultimate aquatic experience for kids of any age!
20 locals recommend
Sand Hollow Aquatic Center
1144 N 2400 WThe Sand Hollow Aquatics Center features a 25m x 25m competition and diving pool and a 58000 Sq. Ft leisure pool. Catering to the whole family, the leisure pool has a Zero-depth entry, interactive children's water area, a water walk and water slides. Various sprays and moving water provide the ultimate aquatic experience for kids of any age!
Fiesta fun is off the hook for both kids and adults. There are batting cages, mini golf, go carts bumper boats, and an indoor play area for the little ones. Fiesta fun is the #1 spot for birthday parties in St. George for kids. Pizza and tons of games - you will have to yank the kids out of there when you're ready to go!
48 locals recommend
Fiesta Fun Family Fun Center
171 E 1160 SFiesta fun is off the hook for both kids and adults. There are batting cages, mini golf, go carts bumper boats, and an indoor play area for the little ones. Fiesta fun is the #1 spot for birthday parties in St. George for kids. Pizza and tons of games - you will have to yank the kids out of there when you're ready to go!
Less than 2 miles away, hidden in a residential community, is this beautiful park and walking path with places to cook out, walk a dog, have a picnic, and fish in the pond. It is clean, safe, and serene. I go here to run a few miles around the pond. One of my favorite local places to relax and get away from work.
20 locals recommend
Grandpa's Pond Park
350 N 3700 WLess than 2 miles away, hidden in a residential community, is this beautiful park and walking path with places to cook out, walk a dog, have a picnic, and fish in the pond. It is clean, safe, and serene. I go here to run a few miles around the pond. One of my favorite local places to relax and get away from work.
The Tuacahn Center for the Performing Arts is a major attraction with Broadway style productions and concerts performed throughout the year. These performances take place in the 2000 seat outdoor amphitheater. Red sandstone cliffs rise 15000 feet above the stage and make for a dramatic back-drop. Craft fairs are held during the spring, summer and fall and the scenery is stunning! Worth seeing!
Tuacahn High School for the Arts
1100 Tuacahn DriveThe Tuacahn Center for the Performing Arts is a major attraction with Broadway style productions and concerts performed throughout the year. These performances take place in the 2000 seat outdoor amphitheater. Red sandstone cliffs rise 15000 feet above the stage and make for a dramatic back-drop. Craft fairs are held during the spring, summer and fall and the scenery is stunning! Worth seeing!
Food scene
THE breakfast place in St. George. Great varieties of French toast and pancakes. This is the place e to go if you're looking for a place to sit and have coffee.
49 locals recommend
Bear Paw Cafe
75 N Main St THE breakfast place in St. George. Great varieties of French toast and pancakes. This is the place e to go if you're looking for a place to sit and have coffee.
Clean winner for desert in the area, but this could be a full meal, too. GREAT flavors that are changing all of the time!
Menchie's Frozen Yogurt
691 E St George BlvdClean winner for desert in the area, but this could be a full meal, too. GREAT flavors that are changing all of the time!
Casual Asian sit-down restaurant. This is the only place that I'd eat sushi in the area, their's is FANTASTIC.
61 locals recommend
Benja Thai & Sushi
2 W St George BlvdCasual Asian sit-down restaurant. This is the only place that I'd eat sushi in the area, their's is FANTASTIC.
Also located at 300 W. St. George Boulevard. Swig claims to be the coolest, hippest thing in St. George! Note; they are closed Sunday!
6 locals recommend
Swig
989 E Tabernacle StAlso located at 300 W. St. George Boulevard. Swig claims to be the coolest, hippest thing in St. George! Note; they are closed Sunday!
The only formal dining restaurant to make my list. Great place!
57 locals recommend
Painted Pony Restaurant
2 West Saint George BoulevardThe only formal dining restaurant to make my list. Great place!
Pizza Factory has been the family favorite spot in the area fo 30 years. Closed Sundays.
32 locals recommend
The Pizza Factory
2 W St George BlvdPizza Factory has been the family favorite spot in the area fo 30 years. Closed Sundays.
Best coffee shop on the way to Zion. You will meet visitors from all over the globe at River Rock Roasting Company. There is nothing like kicking back in the breeze overlooking the valley and river, munching on a homemade cinnamon rolls which is like heaven on earth, and sipping a great cup of coffee. The other food is pretty good, too!
228 locals recommend
River Rock Roasting Company
394 S State StBest coffee shop on the way to Zion. You will meet visitors from all over the globe at River Rock Roasting Company. There is nothing like kicking back in the breeze overlooking the valley and river, munching on a homemade cinnamon rolls which is like heaven on earth, and sipping a great cup of coffee. The other food is pretty good, too!
City advice
Getting around
****Be careful leaving the neighborhood.
Traffic comes quickly around the curve from the east. Exercise caution when turning left onto SR 9 (W State St) at the Chevron station. Cars come around the bend faster than you think.
Don't miss
River Rock Roasting Company
Red Rock Roasting Company, La Verkin, is on the way to Zion National Park, and one of my favorite local spots. It's a Bakery, sitting on the edge of a basalt canyon, carved deep by the Virgin River, which offers a variety of fresh roasted coffee, espresso drinks, homemade baked goods, sandwiches, and even beer!
https://riverrockroasters.com
It's a beautiful view of the canyon and river, and the cinnamon rolls are to die for! You'll also meet the most interesting people from all over the world there.
Getting around
Get to Zion early, parking is limited!
Get to Zion early in the morning, before 9am if possible, as parking at the park is limited. Always check the weather at the park before heading out. Weather in the mountains can be significantly different than weather just 10 miles away.
Book before you go
Shuttle service to airports, other stops
St. George Shuttle company provides Shuttle transportation from the Las Vegas Mccarran Airport to St George Utah, and from the Salt Lake City Airport to St. George Utah, with other stops in between. Reasonably priced and very comfortable buses! You'll need reservations.