St. George is known for its beautiful red rocks, the perfect year round weather, and the friendly people that live within. I've loved growing up in a place that never grows dull for one moment! In many cases, people see the beauty and can't wait to go explore the adventure landscape surrounding them. However when the time comes to get out and enjoy the outdoors, they simply don't know where to start! So here are a few of my favorite easy day hikes to help you get started with exploring the St. George area!
The Vortex (Bowl)
The Vortex is located about 15 miles northwest of St. George in the beautiful Gunlock area. To Gunlock natives like myself, The Vortex has always been called "The Bowl." I guess vortex is a better name to get people on the hike!;) The hike is roughly three miles total, and covers terrain of loose sand, sandstone rock, and steep inclines. Eventually after climbing up slick sandstone rock, The Vortex shows itself as a huge hole within the sandstone itself. The bowl sometimes has water at the bottom, but always has the hundreds of names other hikers have carved into the walls of the sandstone hole. This is a fun hike to bring kids due to beautiful landscape views, fun rock gardens, and neat sandstone name carving.
2. Snow Canyon Lava Tubes
Found within the Snow Canyon State Park, the Lava Tube hike is one that all St. George residents should know about. The hike to the tube is more of a 15 minuet walk from a parking lot, but exploring the lava tubes are as adventurous as any hike! The largest tube is a small tunnel that leads hikers under the earth for quite some time, and then opens up in a grand tube chamber. Many take the time to cut glow sticks and then throw the liquid on the walls. The glowing liquid mixed with the black lava stone makes you feel like your floating in space! A neat experience for sure!
3. Red Cliffs
The Red Cliffs Recreation Area has everything from camp grounds, trickling streams, and grand waterfalls. The popular hike is located near Leeds, but is worth every mile of the short drive. The Red Cliffs hike takes hikers through a natural canyon that always has water flowing over the red sandstone rocks. It sure is a neat picture opportunity for such a short and simple day hike. The hike itself only takes about an hour (and that includes exploring.... because we all love doing that;). For sure a must do hike when you get a free afternoon or morning.
4. Red Mountain Trail
This is still an easy hike, it just takes a lot longer to finish. The hike itself is about 12 miles long, but is worth every step of the journey. The turnaround point gives hikers the unique chance to be on top of the towering cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park. The multicolored sandstone creates the perfect scene for any moment. The Red Mountain Trail begins at a nice parking lot just past Diamond Valley, and has a well made trail until you reach the sandstone. Many enjoy taking horses on this trail, however that option can be a little scary when getting closer to the cliffs.
5. Padre Canyon
Padre Canyon is one of the lesser known hikes within the St. George area. You actually start the hike in the parking lot of the Tuacahn Amphitheater. For this hike you park a car there, and another one at the end of the trail within Snow Canyon State Park. This hike has so many unique and fun aspects about it. After reaching the summit of a small dirt saddle, you hike into the backside of the state park. Here you find jaw dropping stone structures, and even mini slot canyons! I took a date on the hike the first time I did it and we both absolutely loved every part about it. So if your open to dating advice this hike could work great for you!;)
So there you have it! A few of my personal favorite hikes the St. George area has to offer. There are many more of course, but these are for sure the hikes to get you started. Have fun out there! And remember a lope a day keeps sadness away!
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