The Gap – Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
The Gap is a quick and easy trail within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and Chuckwalla area. Starting out of the Castle Rock subdivision, the trail offers amazing...
Trail Facts
Overview
The Gap is a quick and easy trail within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and Chuckwalla area. Starting out of the Castle Rock subdivision, the trail offers amazing scenery as it leads to connect with the Paradise Rim trail. The trail is 0.8 miles round trip with a sandy and rocky single dirt path. It is often hiked to access the Paradise Rim loop. The trailhead for Gecko is also found along the path about 0.1 miles from The Gap trailhead. The hike is also dog friendly and a great place to walk a dog. With full sun exposure, the trail is best hiked in the morning/evening and is a quick hike great for kids, walking dogs, and hikers of all skill levels.
Know Before You Go
Trail Map
Map of the route “The Gap – Red Cliffs Desert Reserve”: 1,157 m, 42 m of climbing and 76 m of descent, elevation between 969 m and 1,000 m, time 00:20:13. It is a loop that starts and ends at 37.14417, -113.61890 (latitude, longitude).
Getting There
From St. George: 5.5 Miles (12 mins driving)
Directions to The Gap Trailhead: Follow S 700 E to Bluff St. Turn right onto Bluff St to head north towards Snow Canyon. At Bluff St intersection, keep right on the Ivins exit and take the left exit to turn onto W Snow Canyon Pkwy at the light. Continue west on W Snow Canyon Pkwy for 1.5 miles then turn right onto N Castle Rock Rd. Then, continue straight to turn right onto N Cascade Canyon Dr, the last street in the neighborhood. The Gap Trailhead is located about 350 feet on the left. Entrance to Trailhead is well marked and easy to notice.
Streetside or curbside parking is the only parking available.
Trailhead GPS: 37.144361, -113.619306
Trail Report
Located right outside St George, the trail is great for anyone looking for a short hike. For one short portion of the trail, hikers will need to do a little rock scrambling (see the 8th picture above for reference), however, the trail is still great for all levels. Bikers also enjoy the path, but the overall trail is not very busy. Numerous wildlife and flowers along the scenic landscape are seen as well as a view of the Paradise Canyon Area. There is little elevation and the trail is well marked.