Vortex – TRAIL HEAD

The Bowl near Lower Sand Cove is a moderate hike that features some beautiful views, a lot of plant life, unique Navajo Sandstone features, and bits of running water if you do it at the right time of year. This hike is not suitable for a stroller and is not young family friendly. For hikers that are looking for a moderate challenge with a rewarding journey it is definitely worth the trek. The trail crosses lava flows, sandy walkways, and red and white sandstone rocks. This is a well traveled trail. If you get off track, watch for the cairns and foot paths in the sand.

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Miles 2.16 miles

Pine Valley

The Santa Clara River Walkway is a great trail for families and all types of hikers. Because it is completely paved and almost entirely flat, the trail is friendly for strollers and wheelchairs. A few interactive signs are found throughout the path which provide information on the area and invite hikers to spot attributes in nature. Children often enjoy crossing the bridges, smelling the pine trees to see if they smell of vanilla, chocolate or strawberry, and learning about the wildlife that are home to this area.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Miles: 4.2 miles

Dino Tracks –

This is a great, short hiking trail for families of all ages! The first part of the trail is a little bit sandy, but doesn’t last too long. It changes to a solid trail that leads right down to the dinosaur tracks. As you bottom out on the trail you will see a slate rock surface in part of the stream bed to the left of the trail. In the hardened sedimentary rock you can find 17 well preserved dino tracks presumed to be from Grallator, Kayentapus, and Eubrontes dinosaurs, which paleontologists suggest were bipedal, meat-eating theropods during the Jurassic Period. Access to the trail head is over a dirt road that is passable by most vehicles.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Miles: 0.4 Miles

The Elephant Arch Trail –

The Elephant Arch Trail: The Elephant Arch trail is a stone’s throw from Washington city, but you wouldn’t ever know it was there. Access to the trail is a little tricky, and I definitely recommend doing this in a truck or SUV, but once you get there it is an easy trail. The first half of the trail is easy walking along a dirt road, and the you meet a wash that is pretty sandy. The rest of the hike is fairly sandy. Because of the sand, this trail is not super family friendly, but if you can pack the kids, or if they can walk the distance it’s not too bad. Typical low land desert landscape, lots of red rocks, and a cool arch at the end that does strangely look like an elephant’s trunk! Following trail guidelines, Elephant Arch is dog friendly and a great place to walk a dog. Worth every sandy step!

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Miles: 3.8 Miles

Lava Flow Overlook –

Lava Flow Overlook Trail – also known as Lava Tubes – is a family friendly trail that takes you down past three lava tube/cave entrances in the heart of Snow Canyon State Park. The original trail has been recently modified and begins from the newly installed parking lot. The trail meanders through a lava field that is beautifully decorated with typical low land plants. The whole park is open to your view as you travel along this well traveled single track. There are signs along the trail with little explanations about the lava tubes and the plants and animals. This trail is not only fun, but educational as well! The lava tubes are an adventure to explore, so be sure to carry a flash light. Down past the last lava tube entrance, the overlook is a great reward for this trip!

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Miles: 2.5 Miles

Scout Cave Trail –

The 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. Trail is open all year, but watch for flooding in rainy seasons. This trail is not stroller friendly, but is passable by young children (5 and up). Following trail guidelines, Scout Cave is dog friendly and a great place to walk a dog. Great morning or evening hike

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Miles: 3.58 Miles

Temple Quarry Trail –

The St George, UT Temple Quarry Trail is an out an back that trail that is suitable for most ages. The path is mostly flat with a few stairs at the beginning and a couple of areas along the trail where small lava rocks jut out from the trail. If you’re looking for a great trail with beautiful sites and you are short on time this is a great one to try!

Difficulty Level: Easy

Miles: 2.21 Miles

Angels Landing –

The Angels Landing Trail is part of the West Rim Trail system in Zion National Park that leads out to a point that looks down on the Main Canyon and allows you to see up toward Kolob and down into Springdale. This trail begins at The Grotto and crosses over the Virgin River on one of the many walking bridges that Zion is known for. The trail follows the river and then turns to the west and then switchbacks up toward Refrigerator Canyon. This trail climbs quickly on the paved trail and you will see the vegetation change quickly. When you enter Refrigerator Canyon you will feel the cool breeze rushing through that gives the canyon its name. Next you will meet Walter’s Wiggles – a set of switchbacks that bring you up to Scout Lookout. From the lookout you will head up the chains that take you out to the point of Angels Landing. This part of the trail is exhilarating, but is not recommended for small children or people who have problems with heights.

Difficulty Level: Strenuous

Miles: 4.95 Miles

Barrel Roll Trail –

Barrel Roll is one of the most popular trails in the Santa Clara River Reserve, and for good reason. With miles of rocky single track, you’ll have plenty of fun exploring. Although a few sections do get technical, for the most part an experienced beginner should be able to feel comfortable riding it. Experience some of the most breathtaking views the desert as you speed down Barrel Roll!

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Miles: 5.8 Miles roundtrip

Bear Claw Poppy –

From first timers to seasoned riders, Bear Claw Poppy offers a network of trails ranging from easy to difficult, making it possible for beginners to ride with experienced riders as they can all stay close together while riding a slightly different trail. The bottom half of the trail, starting at Navajo Dr., is rated easy to moderate, and the top (from Clavicle hill to the Three Fingers of Death) is rated easy to difficult. Bear Claw Poppy is a directional trail, so follow the signs to avoid congestion.

Difficulty Level: Expert

Miles: 7.9 miles roundtrip

Chuckwalla Biking Trail –

Chuckawalla to Paradise Rim is an awesome trail system with just about every terrain that Southern Utah has to offer, from slick rock to dirt single track. This is an intermediate rated trail, which gets especially techy on the decent. Don’t let this discourage you though. This trail system will reward you with sweeping views of Santa Clara and some fast paced rocky descents. Every trail in the system is fun, but it is noted that Beck Hill trail is very sandy which may only be rideable by fat bikes. This is my go to trail since it is always guaranteed to put a smile on my face!

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Miles: 4.2 miles roundtrip

Church Rock –

Church Rocks is the mini Moab of St George. With tons of slickrock, drops, and fast descents, this is one of my favorite trails close to town! This is an intermediate trail with some reasonably techy decents. One of my favorite things about Church Rocks is that a few of the entrances and exits go under the freeway in drainage tubes that are big enough to ride in.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Miles: 6 miles

Kentucky Lucky Chicken –

Kentucky Lucky Chicken is an awesome techy trail super close to town. With techy rocky terrain around every corner and some steep drop-offs, this is a trail for more experienced riders. There are some great views of St George and the Webb Hill radio towers throughout the ride, and some jumps off to the side at one section for those who are brave enough!

Difficulty Level: Expert

Miles: 3.8 miles roundtrip

Owen’s Loop –

Owen’s Loop makes for a fun technical ride that highlights the St George’s fantastic slick rock. Most of the trail is slow-going and technical, but awesome views and challenging terrain make for a fun ride. Your bike will probably have to be carried at one spot, but everything else is ride able all the way to the lollipop loop at the end. Keep your eye out for awesome rock features including some arches!

Difficulty Level: Expert

Miles: 2.54 Miles

Pioneer Run –

Pioneer Rim is a great way to ride a quick trail without having to drive far out of town. The highlights of the trail are the slick rock, and being able to ride over the famous “Crack in the Rock” near Dixie Rock. This is an easy and short trail that may be suitable for kids that have some mountain bike experience. I love being able to ride over the St George Narrows while people hike through the narrows underneath. People are pretty impressed that you can ride a mountain bike over the crack, but it’s not hard at all, if you keep your wheels straight your bike will roll right over it. This trail has some dirt double track if the loop is taken, or you can turn around once the slick rock ends and take the same route back to the trail head if desired, either way is fun!

Difficulty Level: Beginners

Miles: 2.2 Miles roundtrip

Prospector –

Prospector is a fun cross-country trail that lies to the West of I-15. A large portion of the trail is rated as beginner, with some technical spots throughout. This is one of the few trails that I like to ride a hardtail on as it isn’t as rocky as other trails in the area. There are also three different entry and exit points on the trail, one at the start, end, and middle, which makes it easy to only do a small portion of the trail. With fast downhill and slickrock portions, Prospector makes for a fun ride!

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Miles: 16.5 miles roundtrip

Pushing Tin –

Pushing Tin offers a new trail in a unique location between the St George Airport and the Arizona Strip. This is a great trail for families as it is fairly easy and is especially good for kids in the first portion before crossing under the freeway. There is a loop on the second half, and either way is fun. Enjoy rocky singletrack with sweeping views of the desert on this awesome ride!

Difficulty Level: Beginner

Miles: 5.3 miles roundtrip

Rim Runner –

Rim Runner is a beginner-intermediate trail that’s less crowded than the nearby Barrel-Roll trail. This trial can be a great way to learn how to maneuver through some mild technical rocks, while still being able to enjoy fast, flowing sections. The views are amazing throughout the ride, especially at the peak of Rim Runner. Rim Rock Trail can also be accessed at the Rim Runner Loop if more ride time is desired.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Miles: 5 miles roundtrip

Places to Eat:

• Pizza Factory – Pizza, Breadsticks, Salad 2 W. St. George Blvd
• Café Sabor – Mexican 290 E. St. George Blvd
• Riggatti’s Pizza – Wood oven Cooked Pizza 28 N. 200 W. (Washington)
• Rib & Chop House — Steak House 1676 S. Convention Center Dr.
• Viva Chicken – Peruvian Rotisserie Chicken 1183 E. 100 S.
• Pepper’s Cantina – Mexican 144 W Brigham Rd #2
• The Crepery – Crepes and Salad 1091 N Bluff St Suite 311
• Chronic Tacos – Mexican 2134 E Riverside Dr Ste B2
• The Crimson Café – Soups, Salads and Sandwiches 3392 South 3000 East
• Veyo Pies — Pies 24 S Main St, (Veyo)

Ice Cream:

• Larsen’s Frostop Drive In 858 E. St George Blvd
• Zeppe’s Italian Ice 1013 E 700 S
• Handels 291 N Bluff St

• Dixie Red Hills 645 W. 1250 N. St. George 435-627-4444
• St. George Golf Club 2190 S. 1400 E. St. George 435-627-4404
• Sunbrook Golf Club 2366 W. Sunbrook Dr. St. George 43-627-4400
• The Ledges Golf Club 1585 Ledges Parkway St. George 435-634-4640
• Southgate Golf Club 1975 Tonaquint Dr. St. George 435-627-4440

• SunRiver Golf Club 4210 Bluegrass Way St. George 435-986-0001
• Bloomington Country Club Golf Course 3174 Bloomington Dr. St. George 435-673-4687
• Green Springs 588 N. Green Springs Dr. Washington 435-673-7888
• Entrada 2537 Entrada Trail St. George 435-786-2200
• Coral Canyon 1925 N. Canyon Green Dr. Washington 435-688-1700

• The Ring 1871 W. Canyon View Dr. 435-218-7320
• Fiesta Fun Family Fun Center 171 E 1160 S 435-628-1818
• House of Jump 415 S. Dixie Dr. 435-319-8000
• Washington City Community Center 350 Community Center Drive 435-656-6360
• St. George Children Museum 86 S. Main Street 435-986-4000
• Grip Ninja Gym
  • 1871 W. Canyon View Dr. (Green Valley) 435-652-2123 1502
  • Washington Dam Rd (Washington) 435-218-7304
• Main Street Splash Pad 50 S. Main 435-627-4530
• Judd’s Candy Shop 62 Tabernacle St. 435-628-2596
• Brigham Young Winter Home 67 W. 200 N. 435-673-2517
• Jacob Hamblin House 450 N. 300 E. (Santa Clara) 435-673-2161

• Ancestor Square 2 UT-34 435-674-2002
• Tuacahn 1100 Tuacahn Drive (Ivins) 435-652-3200
• Red Hills Desert Garden It’s a beautiful setting that is easy to find and the garden is very interesting and fun to see with the waterfall, stream, slot canyon and river and a large variety of plants.
• Pioneer Park Easy hiking with some hills and elevated rock formation. The park has a large pavilion with picnic tables, BBQs, restrooms, water fountains and a fire pit.
• Thunder Junction All Abilities Park 1851 S. Dixie Dr.
• St. George Dinosaur Discovery 2180 E. Riverside Dr. Site at Johnson Farms 435-574-3466
• Kayenta 800 N. Kayenta Parkway 435-628-7234
• Mountain Meadow US Highway 18 Massacre Memorial
• Town Square Park 50 S. Main St. 435-627-4500 The park features a splash pad fountain a river with red rocks to hop across and a beautiful carousel.