One of the top reasons people visit St. George, Utah is to enjoy all the outdoor adventures! Utah is home to national parks that have the most breathtaking landscapes in the world. From red rock formations to crimson-colored mountains, nothing compares to the scenery at these national parks. To help you plan your visit, we’ve gathered all the information you need to know about the most popular national parks near St. George, Utah.
1. Zion National Park
Zion National Park offers over 229 square miles of adventure. It has more than 35 hiking trails and cliffs towering more than 2,000 feet above the canyon floor. Visitors can enjoy everything from hiking, to canyoneering, to horseback riding. Kolob Canyon is the upper section of Zion National Park and offers a 5-mile scenic drive, along which visitors can see the red canyons and access trails and viewpoints. You can also explore Kolob Terrace and the Main Canyon sections of the park, which each offer its own hikes and gorgeous views. Zion National Park is popular among families because of all of its family-friendly hiking trails and activities!
2. Glen Canyon
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area has more than 1.25 million acres to explore! It’s an outdoor oasis filled with scenic views and unique geology. Glen Canyon is home to Lake Powell, the second largest man-made lake in the country, as well as the famous Rainbow Bridge! Rainbow Bridge is one of the world’s largest known natural bridges. It offers opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and four-wheel driving. Glen Canyon stretches from the beginning of the Grand Canyon in Arizona to Southern Utah. It’s about a 2 hour drive from St. George, Utah.
3. Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country. It makes the perfect day trip from St. George! The canyon is layered with bands of red rock and is split by the Colorado River. Grand Canyon National Park encompasses more than 1.2 million acres and yields unmatched views from the rim. St. George provides easy access to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, which is typically less crowded than the South Rim! The North Rim offers a serene experience and is open from mid-May through mid-October. The South Rim is the most visited location and features scenic views and vistas you won’t want to miss. This area of the park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year!
4. Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park can be considered a hidden gem because it’s often overlooked by St. George visitors. However, it’s one of the most family-friendly parks in the area because of its small size. Because of its size, you don’t have to hike far to see incredible views! Bryce Canyon National Park is situated along a high plateau at the top of the Grand Staircase, and it is known for its spiral-shaped rock formations. You won’t find anything like these unique, crimson-colored mountains anywhere else! The four main viewpoints you have to check out when you visit Bryce Canyon National Park are Bryce Point, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point and Sunrise Point. Bryce Canyon National Park is open all year, but the most popular months to visit are May through September.
Tips for Visiting the National Parks Near St. George, Utah
Utah is home to so many beautiful national parks for you to explore. To help make sure you have the best time on your trip, we’ve come up with a few helpful tips for visiting the national parks near St. George, Utah:
- Don’t forget essential items like water, good hiking shoes and snacks.
- Walk some of the trails instead of drive.
- Talk to the rangers and stop by visitor centers.
- Come early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
Where to Stay Near the National Parks
If you want to stay near these national parks, choose one of our St. George, Utah vacation rentals! Our rentals are all within a few hours’ drive to the incredible parks we listed above. This blog post lists the vacation rentals closest to Zion National Park - some are just 30-40 minutes away! We can recommend the perfect rental near the parks you plan to visit! Our rentals vary in size to accommodate families and groups both big and small. They have everything you need and more for a comfortable stay, including resort amenities like outdoor pools and hot tubs. We even have a selection of dog-friendly homes so you don’t have to worry about leaving your furry friend behind!
Take a look at all of our vacation homes and start planning your visit to explore the national parks near St. George, Utah.
