A family vacation is an important time to relax, explore new places, and bond with your loved ones. Choosing the right destination can make all the difference in creating lifelong memories. St. George, Utah, offers an ideal setting for families looking to enjoy outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, kid-friendly activities, and more.
As part of Utah’s Dixie, Washington County, St. George sees over 300 days of sunshine per year. Nestled against the red rock cliffs of southwestern Utah, this vibrant small city provides easy access to national parks and monuments like Zion and Grand Staircase-Escalante. From hiking trails to museums to amusement parks, St. George has something to delight every member of the family.
Here are seven reasons to make St. George your next family vacation destination:
- Breathtaking Outdoor Scenery
St. George provides seemingly endless opportunities to take in the area’s dramatic landscapes. Families can explore the red and white sandstone cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park on foot, bike, or horseback. Cool off afterward at the park’s pool fed by natural hot springs.
For stunning overlooks, hike the trails at Red Cliffs Desert Reserve or drive up to viewpoints on Red Mountain. And picturesque sites like the red rock wave are perfect for a family photo op.
Here are some amazing sites where you can find the best hikes in St. George Utah.
- Snow Canyon State Park – Hike scenic trails like Whiptail Grill, Johnson Canyon, and Hidden Pinyon. Ride horses or bikes through the park. Swim in the geothermal pool.
- Red Cliffs Desert Reserve – Hike the Harrisburg, Cottonwood, and Red Reef trails. Drive up to viewpoints like Doc’s Throne for panoramic views.
- Red Mountain – Drive up the paved road to stunning cliff overlooks. Hike to petroglyphs on the Harrisburg Trail.
Note: While Snow Canyon State Park and Red Cliffs Desert Reserve are not within St. George’s city limits, they are nearby. Snow Canyon is about 9 miles north of downtown St. George and Red Cliffs is approximately 20 miles north.
- Action and Adventure
From ziplining to rock climbing to kayaking, St. George delivers thrills for adventure seekers of all ages. There are several tour guide companies that offer a range of age-appropriate activities, from ATV tours to canyon rappelling.
You can even take a dip at popular swimming holes like the Reservoirs or Sand Hollow. Older kids will love tackling mountain biking trails, while little ones can ride the carousel at Pioneer Park. Check out the outdoor activities you explore in this city:
- Zipline tours – Soar over cliffs and canyons on lines up to 1,500 feet long. Companies like Red Rock and Navtec offer tours.
- Canyoneering – Rappel down slot canyons like Keyhole Canyon on guided tours.
- ATV tours – Ride 4-wheelers to petroglyphs, hoodoos, and other desert sights.
- Mountain biking – Ride bike trails like Bearclaw Poppy, Zen, and Barrel Roll.
- Kayaking/boating – Paddle calm waters at Sand Hollow or the Reservoirs.
- Swimming holes – Cliff jump at reservoirs. Wade in the Virgin River.
- Carousel – Take a spin on the vintage carousel at Pioneer Park.
- Kid-Friendly Museums
When you need a break from the desert sun, St. George has museums to spark every child’s curiosity. The Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum houses over 300 stuffed animals in realistic poses. Historic homes like the Brigham Young Winter Home provide a glimpse into pioneer life. And at the Dinosaur Discovery Site, kids can view dinosaur tracks and dig for fossils. Other top choices, like the St. George Children’s Museum and McQuarrie Memorial Museum, offer hands-on fun.
Let’s take a peek at what you can find in these museums.
- Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum – See lions, tigers, bears, and more. Take photos with the animals.
- Brigham Young Winter Home – Tour the 19th-century home of the Mormon leader.
- Dinosaur Discovery Site – View real dinosaur tracks. Dig for fossils to take home.
- Children’s Museum – Play pretend in the role-playing castle. Explore the Space Station.
- McQuarrie Memorial Museum – Learn about Native American artifacts and pioneer relics.
- St. George Art Museum – Create art together in the family studios.
- Historic Opera House – Catch a family-friendly show in the Victorian theater.
- Red Hills Desert Garden – Wander through cactus gardens and see dinosaur statues.
- Entertainment and Amusement
When you need a break from sightseeing, St. George’s entertainment options guarantee fun for all. Take in a show, play a round of mini golf, or splash the day away at water parks. Kids can enjoy arcade games like laser tag and bumper cars at game centers.
- Tuacahn Amphitheatre – See family-friendly musicals like The Little Mermaid in an outdoor red rock theater.
- Fun Town – Race go-karts, play mini golf, ride the Ferris wheel and play arcade games.
- Sand Hollow Aquatic Center – Speed down waterslides, swim in pools and splash in a lazy river.
- Splashdown Seven – Enjoy waterslides, a wave pool, and a kiddie splash area.
- Rocking R Arcade – Play laser tag, ride bumper cars, and enjoy arcade games.
- Fiesta Fun – Race each other on the indoor go-kart tracks.
- St. George Musical Theater – Catch live musical productions.
- Close to National Parks
What better place to introduce kids to America’s most prized landscapes than St. George, with its proximity to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park? Although these parks are not located in St. George, they are reachable for day trips from St. George. Zion National Park is about 40 miles northeast of St. George, while Bryce Canyon National Park is approximately 140 miles to the northeast.
The kid-friendly Zion Canyon Scenic Drive offers easy access to hiking, climbing, and wading in the Virgin River. While at Bryce, the hoodoo stone formations inspire young imaginations. St. George provides the perfect home base for taking day trips to both parks.
- Dinosaur Fossil Sites
For budding paleontologists, St. George sits amid a dinosaur fossil hotspot. Make sure to check the Johnson Farm Dinosaur Site, which lets visitors observe real paleontologists cleaning and cataloging bones. You can also walk in the footsteps of prehistoric creatures at Dinosaur Trackways, while the Warner Valley offers the chance to visit working dig sites and possibly even discover your own fossils to take home.
- Festivals and Events
Nearly every month brings a fun festival or event to enjoy as a family. You can begin by grooving to live music and fill up on BBQ at Dixie Roundup. Also, savor fresh peaches at Snow Canyon’s Peach Days. If you like hot air balloons, check out the St. George Balloon Festival, where hot air balloons fill the sky. And don’t forget to celebrate the Fourth of July with a parade and fireworks show at Vernon Worthen Park.
Conclusion
With a vibrant culture, endless recreation, and access to stunning landscapes, St. George offers an unforgettable vacation for families. Kids will be engaged, teens can take on adventures, and parents will find relaxation. The variety of activities, dining options, attractions, and natural areas make St. George an ideal choice for your next family getaway.
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