Best Places To Walk A Dog

St. George is how to many adventurous dog owners. The unique landscape is perfect for people to share an adventure with their dog. Below is a list of the best hikes/places for those looking to walk their dog. We studied our data and analytics to track which hikes are best for dogs and to determine which are perfect for exploring. Our picks take into consideration the distance and difficulty of the hike as well as the location of the place from downtown St. George.

1. Vernon Worthen Park

Close to everything in St. George, Vernon Worthen Park has the whole package. This 4.5 acre park is equipped four separate picnic areas, restrooms, and much more. The park made our list mainly for its accessibility and its large lawn. Many dogs are found here and the park is a great host. Multiple trash cans, bags, and water fountains are found for a great time for any dog. Overall, the large lawn makes it a great place to take and play with a dog.

 

2. Chuckwalla Area

Again, being close to St. George helps. Chuckwalla is also popular for the unique landscape right in St. George’s backyard. The trailChuckwalla is a major link for trails like Turtle WallBeck HillParadise RimHalfway WashThe Gap, and Gecko. With a dirt path, the trail stetches for about 2 miles round trip and is adventurous. Dogs should be kept on a leash as bikers and hikers are also found but the area is great for exploring. Many dog owners enjoy climbing the red rocks with their dogs. Desert tortoises and Gila monsters are known to be in the area so please be aware while dogs are exploring.

3. Sandtown Park

Sandtown Park is another place with a lard field where dogs can run around freely. With 8 acres of space dogs can enjoy playing with their owners. Numerous trees provide shade after intense running. There are also water fountains and restrooms to keep your pet hydrated. The park is also close and convenient. Sandtown Park made our list for its large space and location.

 

4. Pioneer Hills

Located behind Pioneer Park, this trail provides a great trip into nature without having to go far. The path is sandy and stretches for about 1.4 miles round trip. At dusk, this hike provides some good scenery. There is no shade but Desert tortoises and other wildlife can be found so please be aware with your dog. Pioneer Hills made the list because it is a simple trail but still adventurous for those with a dog. The trail also connects to T-bone which leads to Pioneer Park. Overall, this is a great trail for those looking for a quick hike with their dog.

5. Yellow Knolls

Yellow Knolls is a little hard to get to but is worth it. The unique landscape is perfect for those looking for an adventurous hike with their dog. The full trail stretches for 4 miles round trip but many dog walkers go for 1 to 2 miles. This trail really enters nature and is beautiful. Yellow Knolls had to make the list because of the adventure it provides to both the dog and their own.

Spencer McMullinSpencer McMullin is originally from Connecticut but has deep ties to the Southern Utah area.  His passion for adventure and photography has lead him to HikeStGeorge.

Spencer McMullinSpencer McMullin is originally from Connecticut but has deep ties to the Southern Utah area.  His passion for adventure and photography has lead him to HikeStGeorge.

Spencer McMullinSpencer McMullin is originally from Connecticut but has deep ties to the Southern Utah area.  His passion for adventure and photography has lead him to HikeStGeorge.

Spencer McMullinSpencer McMullin is originally from Connecticut but has deep ties to the Southern Utah area.  His passion for adventure and photography has lead him to HikeStGeorge.

Top 5 hikes for kids in St. George, Utah

Hiking is fun for everyone and can be a great family activity.  St. George offers many adventurous hikes but sometimes it can be difficult to know which are best for a family with little kids.  This article hopes to make the decision a little easier.  As avid hikers, we have gathered data to determine which local hikes would be manageable for children.  We selected these hikes after considering trail distance, path condition, hike entertainment, and accessibility. Most off road adventures aren’t too stroller friendly nut we hope this list helps parents with kids of all ages.

1. Children’s Forest at the Kiln

Distance from St. George: 21 miles (31 mins driving)

Distance: 0.6 miles round trip

Okay, so this one is a little outside St. George but it is worth the drive. The Children’s Forest at the Kiln trail is a well groomed single track trail that is wide enough for a single stroller. Children enjoy the wild flowers and exploring the kiln. The Forest Service has placed plaques along the way, next to the native plants, to describe what each one is. The drawings and descriptions are all done by children and it is actually very cool, and very educational! This forest is described as a “pigmy forest” because the trees and shrubs found there are short, rather than tall and reaching. If you’re looking for a great walk with the kids, this is it! Unless you have a pretty good jogging stroller, I would recommend carrying kids or letting them walk. The trail ends at a very large kiln that was used in the 1800’s to produce charcoal used in the separation process for the Silver Reef mines.

2. White Rock Amphitheater

Distance from St. George: 11 miles (16 mins driving)

Distance: 0.4 miles round trip

The White Rocks hike in Snow Canyon State Park is a great, family friendly, short hike that features some beautiful views, impressive petrified white sandstone mountains, and a great sand hill for kids of all ages to play in. This hike is not stroller friendly, but it is short enough that you should be able to get away with carrying a child.  Children enjoy exploring and climbing on these sandstone mountains. The hike really gives a sense of being in the State Park without having to hike a lot.

3. Glitter Mountain

Distance from St. George: 13 miles (25 mins driving)

Distance: Not Needed

We know this isn’t technically a hike or technically in St. George really, but our data show that it is a very popular outing for kids. The area consists of mining pits that can be steep. The claimant has actually enjoyed the excitement about the mine, and agrees that it is fun for explorers of all ages to find and learn about the minerals in the earth, but is concerned about people getting hurt and the liabilities associated with it.  The claimant would like people to stay out of the pit. They are welcome to visit and take pieces of gypsum that are laying about outside the pit.

4. Chuckwalla

Distance from St. George: 4.3 miles (9 mins driving)

Distance: 1.9 miles round trip

Chuckwalla made our list because our data show that a lot of kids love exploring this area. The trailhead is very close and the path is great for those with a short attention span. Perfect place for kids to run around while being in nature. The path is mostly dirt with some sand and is well marked. Chuckwalla offers a beautiful scenery and features a variety of wildlife making it very family friendly. The hike is also dog friendly and a great place to walk a dog.  Hikers enjoy exploring the trail’s unique rock formations as well as connecting with other trails that expand into the area. Desert tortoises, rabbits, eagles, and other wildlife are often spotted along the path.  Chuckwalla is a great trail that takes hikers right into nature. Gila monsters are known to be in this area so keep your eye out for this unique experience!

5. Jenny’s Canyon

Distance from St. George: 9.3 miles (20 min driving)

Distance: 0.48 miles round trip

Snow Canyon State park really is beautiful.  Luckily there are some trails that don’t require a long hike to experience the park. Jenny’s Canyon is the perfect length and even has a slot cave for those adventurous kids. There is a little bit of some step overs but ultimately the whole hike is peaceful and short.

 

Top 5 Hikes in St. George, Utah

 

Located in the southwest corner of Utah, St. George offers a unique scenery for the hiking community. The area is becoming more and more popular and for good reason. Hikers travel from all over the world to view the famous red rocks and enjoy the surrounding area. Whether you consider yourself outdoorsy or not, hiking can be a great way to connect with local nature and get a breath of fresh air. If you want to experience the heart of the desert, here’s a list of 5 of the best hikes you’ll find in St. George, Utah.

1. Butterfly Trail – Snow Canyon State Park

 

 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Distance: 1.2 Miles Round Trip

Distance From St. George: 11.5 Miles (25 minutes driving)

 

Butterfly Trail is one of the most overlooked trails in Snow Canyon. Though the trail is advertised more as a connector trail, it really can and does stand on its own! This trail really captures the whole scene of Snow Canyon which might be on of Utah’s most beautiful state parks. You will feel like the only person in the park. The views are fantastic as you look up and down the canyon. Eventually this trail connects with the Lava Flow Trail, where you can turn around or follow down to the West Canyon Overlook (adds another .8 miles round trip). This is a great trail to take your family on, even if you don’t hike the whole trail. The views and colors on this hike will not disappoint!

2. Padre Canyon – Tuacahn

 

 

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Distance: 2.5 Miles Round Trip

Distance From St. George: 9.4 miles (18 mins driving)

 

Starting from Tuacahn, Padre Canyon is beautiful hike with a great view. The single dirt path consists mainly of sand and rock. Padre Canyon climbs up the mountain to offer a stunning view into the Snow Canyon area. Its steep incline and high elevation makes it a moderate hike and might not be for everyone.  As Tuacahn is a famous attraction for the area it seems fitting to include its hike.  This hike may not be the best for little kids (though kids are known for doing it) but the canyon provides some good shade at the right time of the day.

3. Scout Cave – Snow Canyon State Park

 

 

Difficulty Level: Easy-to-Moderate

Distance: 3.58 Miles Round Trip

Distance From St. George: 8.6 Miles (15 minutes driving)

 

Scout Cave trail, just south of Snow Canyon State Park, is a great mix of easy and moderate. It passes over lava flow fields, stream beds, and Navajo Sandstone rocks.  The trail is well marked and pretty easy to follow. This trail is not stroller friendly, but is passable by young children (5 and up). Scout Cave made our list because it captures everything about a St. George hike. The caves are easy to access and really are fun to explore with a great view over the surrounding area. Mixed with the beauty of Snow Canyon, this trail is highly recommended and is surprisingly not as busy.

4. Yellow Knolls – Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

 

 

Difficulty Level: Easy-to-Moderate

Distance: 4 Miles Round Trip

Distance From St. George: 7.8 miles (17 mins driving)

 

Featuring red sand, black/white rock, and many native plants, Yellow Knolls seems to be the full package. The trail begins with a descent of about 230 feet and slowly ascends as it carves a scenic path through various terrains. This makes it a great place to walk a dog or take pictures. The different landscapes and unique features provide a great place to explore and entertain kids. Yellow Knolls is a spectacular and highly recommended hike right in St. George’s backyard. The path features a wide range of flowers and wildlife making it a great trail for kids or for walking a dog.

5. Turtle Wall – Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

 

 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Distance: 2.08 Miles Round Trip

Distance From St. George: 4.3 Miles (9 mins driving)

 

Turtle Wall is a popular trail that offers amazing scenery without having to drive far. Great for kids and all hikers, the single dirt path has an open view and follows rock formations to connect the Chuckwalla trail to Paradise Rim. The trail is well maintained and relatively flat with a slight elevation just before the turnaround point. At the turnaround point, the trail hits Paradise Rim trail to reveal a stunning view over Entrada and Ivins. The hike climbs up red rocks and into desert tortoise territory. These tortoises, accompanied with many other wildlife, are often sighted along the trail and provide a great feeling of being within nature. Turtle Wall made our list because of the great view at the end. Being a part of the Chuckwalla area, this hike is great for kids and dogs.

Honorable Mentions

Anasazi Valley Trail (Tempi’po’op)

Difficulty Level: Easy

Distance: 3.5 Miles Round Trip

Distance From St. George: 10.2 Miles (15 mins driving)

 

Red Reef

Difficulty Level: Easy

Distance: 1.44 Miles Round Trip

Distance From St. George: 19.9 Miles (30 minutes driving)

 

Babylon Arch

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Distance: 1.5 Miles Round Trip

Distance From St. George: 21 Miles (33 minutes driving)

 

 

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

St George Historical Brigham Young Winter Home

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

Tuacahn Center for the Arts Ivins, UT

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

Tim LeBaronHikeStGeorge is a project that began as a seedling for Tim LeBaron in the early part of 2008, but really didn’t begin to blossom until the latter part of 2011. The original idea behind the site was to bring to light all of the harder to find, or “less known” hidden gems of the […]

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