Although many people bypass St George on the way to more popular national parks, the city is worth a stop to enjoy some of its incredible hikes. You won’t regret the hikes in St George Utah!
WHERE IS ST GEORGE
St George is located in the southwestern corner of Utah. It makes for a great stop before heading to Zion or before going to Kanab. If you have the time, it’s worth exploring the hiking trails near St George, Utah.
WHEN TO HIKE AND VISIT ST GEORGE
St George can be visited all year round with particularly mild winters, which rarely sees snow compared to other parts of the state. Summer between May and September can get quite hot and it’s best to be cautious of the heat on St George hiking trails in the middle of the day in this period. If you are visiting during the Summer just be wary of bringing sunblock, a hat, lots of water and other sun-safe gear!
Spring and Fall are the ideal times to hit the hiking trails near St George Utah, as the weather is at its most pleasant.
WHAT TO PACK FOR ST GEORGE HIKING TRAILS
It’s not too difficult to pack for hikes in St George, Utah. The moderate temperatures for much of the year means you can get away with wearing lightweight gear. However, if you’re planning to hike in summer, it’s essential to pack sun protection with many of the trails being quite exposed to the elements.
These are my essentials for day hikes:
- Osprey 36L Sirrus Pack and rain cover or Topo Designs Mountain Pack (similar here)
- Leki Corklite Trekking Poles (optional but good if you have bad knees for descending down elevation)
- Hoka One One shoes: Those who follow me know that I ditched my hiking boots a couple of years ago. Shoes are very personal and you should definitely wear what is best for you, but I love having a lighter shoe with cushion on the bottom so my feet don’t hurt. Hoka One Ones are perfect!
- MSR Dromlite 2L: My favorite drom bag, have had it over 8 years and it’s holding up great.
- Icebreaker Merino mid-layer: A great mid-layer when it gets windy/cold in the fall and winter!
- Smartwool Short Sleeve Tshirt: A great t-shirt for when it’s hot. It helps wick away sweat to keep you cool.
- Nike Running Shorts: The hiking world has always pushed for expensive, hiking-specific pants but 90% of the time if I’m not walking through bush, scrambling rocks, or worried about poison oak, I’ll wear Nike running shorts. Mine have held up for over 10 years!
Essential for hiking with your dog:
- Collapsible Dog Bowl
- Mushers Wax: To protect their paws and WAY better than boots in my opinion.
BEST PLACES TO HIKE IN ST GEORGE
St George is the perfect gateway to some of the most incredible landscapes found in the state with plenty of day hikes in St George to keep you busy for a few days. Here are my top picks:
1. Owens Loop
- Distance: 2.7 miles
- Time: Just over an hour
- Dog friendly: Yes
- Trailhead: Owens Loop Trailhead
This is one of the most popular hikes in St George Utah. Owens Loop offers incredible views over the town and surrounding area from the trail, without being overly difficult. In just over an hour, it’s a great trail to stretch your legs on after a long drive.
2. Yellow Knolls Trail
- Distance: 3.8 miles
- Time: Two hours
- Dog friendly: Yes
- Trailhead: Yellow Knolls Trailhead
This trail is in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve just north of St George. The fairly moderate hike takes you through the rocky landscape with views over the beautiful yellow stone that is so iconic of this area.
3. Turtle Wall and Paradise Rim Loop
- Distance: 3.7 miles
- Time: Two hours
- Dog friendly: Yes
- Trailhead: Chuckwalla Trailhead
This loop hike combines a couple of trails starting from the Chuckwalla trailhead on Bluff St just outside of St George. It takes in both the Turtle Wall and Paradise Rim trails with beautiful vistas and red rock formations along the way. It’s a shared trail with mountain bikers, so be alert while hiking.
