Hike Elephant Arch in St. George Utah

There are a lot of fun hikes near St. George but Elephant Arch is one of my favorites! The hike itself is fairly easy, family-friendly, and dog friendly.

Trail Distance: 3.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 ft.
Terrain Rating: Sand
Hike Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Dog Friendly: Yes
Recommended Seasons: Fall to Spring. Summer can get very hot

Trailhead: About 15 minutes north of St. George, free parking here

WHY YOU NEED TO VISIT St. George

St. George is a town maybe most known for being between Las Vegas and Kanab, Utah. However in recent years it’s become more popular with visitors and tourists as a place to spend a few days in! The population in St. George has steadily increased and I personally think its an underrated town!

St. George is a nice hiking town but is much bigger than Kanab for example. You’ll have more convenience stores, grocery stores, restaurants, Chipotle, Target etc.

WHEN SHOULD I Hike Elephant Arch

There is virtually zero shade on the hike to Elephant Arch so it is best if you hike in Fall, Winter and Spring from September to April. The weather will be a lot cooler then and the hike will be much more enjoyable.

If you are hiking in the summer, I would highly recommend getting dog boots for your dog’s paws as the sand can get VERY hot. Also be sure to pack lots of water and sun protection.

More on what to pack below.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK

Although Elephant Arch is a short hike, make sure you pack everything you need. This hike is a hike-in and hike-out, with no stops for water and almost no stops for shade.

Hiking Boots / Shoes

Having the right shoes is super important. Whether you like lighter shoes like I do or a sturdier hiking boot, Hoka One One and Salomon are my go-to products.

Sun Protection

Sun protection is super important out in St George – especially in the summer! Here are some of my favorites

Food!

Level Foods has been my new go-to bar. I found that their bars have been better on my stomach. They are Gluten free, Dairy free, Non-GMO.

Water Storage

I personally prefer using an MSR Drom Bag because I’m fairly lazy to take water bottles out of my bag, but both options are great. Make sure to bring plenty of water on your trip

Gear for your Dog

Finally don’t forget to keep your dog safe. Bring plenty of water for them and put dog boots on for their paws in the summer.

ELEPHANT ARCH HIKING GUIDE

Trail start:

The hike starts off fairly easily from the parking lot. It is a little less than 2 miles to Elephant arch and is completely flat and on sand.

Heading to the arch:

The sand can get pretty hot in the summer so be careful if you are hiking with dogs or if you are hiking in sandals. I personally went with sneakers on this hike.

The trail wanders through the landscape and there isn’t too much to see while you are hiking. There are a few small areas under a rock overhang where you could get shade, but I wouldn’t count on it.

Soon enough the sand becomes rockier and you see Elephant Arch in front of you! From the initial view it’s actually a little tough to tell that it’s an elephant.

Arriving at the arch:

Continue climbing towards Elephant Arch and be careful on the climb here. It can get a bit tricky especially if you don’t have the right grip on your shoes. Use both of your hands to get you up to the arch.

Once you are up here, enjoy the view! It is a good sight and I love that it is dog friendly.

To head back to your car, just turn around the same way you came.

What other hikes do you enjoy in St. George Utah?

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