Things to Do in St George: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
St. George sits in Utah's sunny southwest corner among red sandstone cliffs, black lava flows and desert reservoirs. It's a fast-growing city with a historic pioneer core and an outdoor playground on every side.
It's also the most convenient base for Zion National Park, about an hour away, and a launching point for Nevada's Valley of Fire.
Top things to see in St. George
Snow Canyon State Park
Red and white sandstone, lava tubes and petrified dunes. Trails range from easy walks to scrambles.
Pioneer Park
Red rocks to climb right above downtown, with views over the city.
Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm
Hundreds of real dinosaur tracks preserved in rock.
Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
The Red Reef Trail leads to small waterfalls and pools in a red canyon.
Sand Hollow State Park
A turquoise reservoir surrounded by red sand dunes, perfect for paddling and off-roading.
Historic downtown
The St. George Temple visitor center, Brigham Young's winter home and pioneer houses.
Tuacahn Center for the Arts
An open-air amphitheatre in a red rock canyon hosting summer musicals.
St. George in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Red rock city
Scramble up the red rocks of Pioneer Park at sunrise, then explore the pioneer district, Brigham Young's winter home and the temple grounds. Sunset dinner downtown.
2Day 2 · Snow Canyon and Tuacahn
Hike the Lava Flow trail to the lava tubes and climb the Petrified Dunes, then drive to Ivins for an open-air musical at Tuacahn under the cliffs.
3Day 3 · Dinosaurs and turquoise water
Morning at the Dinosaur Discovery Site, then paddleboard or swim at Sand Hollow Reservoir and watch the dunes glow at dusk.
St. George in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Zion National Park
Leave early for Springdale, take the park shuttle up Zion Canyon and hike the Riverside Walk or Emerald Pools. Strong hikers can attempt Angels Landing with a permit.
5Day 5 · Valley of Fire
Cross into Nevada for a day among fiery sandstone, petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock and the Fire Wave trail.
St. George in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Kayenta and Red Cliffs
Visit the galleries of Kayenta art village and the Desert Rose labyrinth, then cool off on the Red Reef Trail's little pools.
7Day 7 · Bryce Canyon
A long but unforgettable day to Bryce's hoodoos (about 2.5 hours each way), or swap for a spa and golf day in town.
What to do in St. George on a weekend
Saturday: Snow Canyon in the morning and a Tuacahn show at night. Sunday: an early start for Zion National Park.
What to do in St. George in the evening
Evenings revolve around outdoor shows at Tuacahn, patio dinners downtown and the extraordinary desert night sky. Summer nights are warm enough for a late swim or a moonlit hike in Snow Canyon.
St. George for couples
Book a desert spa resort near Snow Canyon, catch sunset from the Petrified Dunes and spend an evening under the stars at an outdoor concert.
St. George with kids
Dinosaur tracks, the splash pads at Town Square, the dunes at Sand Hollow and short hikes in Snow Canyon make St. George very family-friendly.
Practical tips for St. George
Best time to visit
March to May and September to November are ideal. Summer often exceeds 100°F (38°C); winters are mild and sunny.
Getting around
St. George Regional Airport has domestic flights; Las Vegas is about two hours away. A car is essential, and Zion uses a free shuttle in the main canyon.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Zion National Park from St. George?
About an hour by car to the Springdale entrance.
Is St. George too hot in summer?
It's very hot; hike at dawn and plan water activities for the afternoon.
Is Snow Canyon State Park worth it?
Yes, it packs lava tubes, red cliffs and dunes into a small, easy-to-visit park.