Day Trips To Scenic Beauty

Anasazi Indian Village State Park

435-335-7308

Visitors to the Anasazi Indian Village State Park will go back in time to 1050 A.D. when the Fremont and Kayenta Anasazi occupied the area. An estimated 200 people once lived at the site, making it one of the largest Anasazi communities west of the Colorado River.

Anasazi Indian Village State Park is located in Boulder on Scenic byway 12. It is open daily all year.

Capitol Reef National Park

435-425-3791

Covering over 240,000 acres, the park is remarkably formed by red sandstone cliffs, domes and spires. Early Native Americans referred to this area as the "Land of the Sleeping Rainbow" Explore Waterpocket Fold, the 186-mile-long, 3-mile-wide buckle in the earth's crust which began to form over 65 million years ago. The contours of Waterpocket Fold catch pools of rainwater throughout the year.

Located east of Torrey on Utah 24.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

435-648-2800

This 3,700 acre recreational site features awesome, coral-colored sand. The erosions form soft hills perfect for relaxing, walking and some areas for off-road vehicles. The sand dunes provide a wide range of recreational opportunities including camping, hiking and photography. With nearby camping facilities, showers for washing off the sand and paved bike routes, it is a great place to spend some time.

Located on Sand Dunes Road just off Hwy 89 30 miles west of Kanab and is open year round.

Escalante Petrified Forest State Park

435-826-4466

Hike past large specimens of petrified wood and dinosaur fossils at Escalante Petrified Forest. It is located one mile west of the town of Escalante on Scenic Byway 12, Interpretive hiking trails wind through the park provide information about the colorful mineralized wood and bones. The park's modern campground is open all year. All services are located in Escalante.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

435-826-5499

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a vast area of sandstone canyons, plateaus, unique rock formations and cliffs. Almost two million acres of desert became a national monument in September 1996.

Most of the roads inside the monument are dirt roads that are impassable when wet, and some require four-wheel drive vehicles. No services are available inside the monument. Call the Interagency Office in Escalante for current information.

Kodachrome Basin State Park

435-679-8562

Located nine miles south of Cannonville, just off Scenic Byway 12, Kodachrome Basin State Park is open all year. Temperatures are comfortable in the early spring and the late fall in this semi-desert climate. Cacti and other wildflowers bloom in the spring and winter brings a little snow that caps the spires, making the colors even more intense.

Unique spires and chimneys called sand pipe intrusions jut up from the valley floor creating surrealistic settings at Kodachrome Basin. Their colors change during the day seeming to glow at sunrise and sunset.

A campground with hot showers and rest rooms make camping enjoyable at Kodachrome Basin.

Kolob Canyon

435-772-3256

Kolob Canyon, part of Zion's National Park, is located along the western edge of Zion National Park. the visitor center is accessible from Interstate 15, Exit 22, 20 minutes north of St George. You can hike trails, view wildlife and take photographs of the massive red rock formations of the Kolob Fingers from pullouts along a five-mile paved road. Drive time from St George is abut 20 minutes.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell, formed by Glen Canyon Dam, is the second largest man-made lake in North America. The lake has 1,960 miles of shoreline, which is greater than the length of the entire U S west coast. The crystal blue lake, surrounded by red sandstone cliffs, is known to be an artists' dream. Lake Powell is 250-square miles of unsurpassed water recreation. Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy water skiing, jet skiing, boating, swimming and fishing in the warm waters. Also boat tours, river trips, scenic flights are offered. You can find nearby hotel and dining accommodations.

Located 90 miles east of Kanabvia Hwy 89.

North Rim of the Grand Canyon

800-869-6635

The North Rim features pine and aspen forests of the 640,000 acre Kaibab Plateau. You will find viewpoints of the Grand Canyon higher than that on the South Rim. Magnificent views from the lodge. Located 45 miles south of Jacob Lake. Drive time from St George is appoximately 3 hours.

Pipe Spring Monument

This desert oasis was declared a national monument in 1923 as a "memorial of western pioneer life". It is located on the Kaibab Indian Reservation and they operate the nearby campground. The Monument is an easy 25 mile drive southwest of Kanab via U.S. Highway 89A and Arizona Highway 389. Tours of Winsor Castle are provided daily on the hour and half hour, all year long. During the summer, rangers give "living history" demonstrations, bringing historic pioneer and Indian traditions to life. Visitors are welcome to tour the orchard and garden, historic out-buildings, and a scenic half-mile Ridge Trail at their own pace. A visitor center and museum shared by the National Park Service and the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians offers an extensive array of high quality exhibits on Southern Paiute and pioneer culture and history. Pipe Spring also lies on the recently designated Old Spanish National Historic Trail. More information on the Monument is available on the internet at http://www.nps.gov/pisp/.

Scenic Byway 12

This 120-mile long Highway 12 Scenic Byway winds through the heart of Bryce Canyon Country, including the newly designated Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The paved route has been chosen one of the top ten scenic byways in North American by Car and Driver Magazine.

The wide range of beautiful scenery and recreational opportunities that surround the route make Scenic Byway 12 unique. Colorful canyons, desert slick rock, cool clear lakes, and forest covered mountains rising to 9600 feet above sea level are all within a few hours drive. Take time to explore this incredible route.

Trip Planner

For your official tour planner write: Utah's Zion & Bryce Canyon Country, 1835 Convention Center Drive, St George, UT 84790. Or you may stop by the St George Chamber of Commerce for your copy.

Southern Utah Website Design Site Map

St George Area Chamber of Commerce
97 E St George Blvd, St George, UT 84770
Phone: 435-628-1658