Driving from Vegas to Salt Lake is relatively simple. Weve been to many great parks in our travels but one that impressed us was the Town Square Park in St George. The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset. Locally known asBlack Hill,Mormon Pioneers accessed the southwest side of this quarry, that holds a large deposit of lava rocks, via this very trail. Our flight arrived in Vegas in the early morning so there were only a couple of people out and about when we stopped. Founded in 1935, the Valley of Fire is Nevadas oldest state park. Located at the West entrance of Zion National Park, Springdale is a must-visit stop on your trip to Zion. There are even exhibits where you can get a closer look at how plants and animals thrive in a barren landscape. The red exterior of the hotel matches up well with the natural surroundings with a spa, swimming pool, and contemporary furnishings. Never touch or deface any petroglyphs and be respectful when visiting this historical sight. "The Subway" (or Left Fork) is a uniquely curved slot canyon for experienced hikers. Youll see the incredible wavy formations that are out of this world! The Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum is the perfect place to recuperate while learning more about St Georges rich history. See for yourself with a visit to Station II, an old firehouse that's now a multi-story taproom with craft beer by Zion Brewery. , and the Relief Society Hall in Heritage Square. With its rich history and stunning design, this is one sight youll want to be sure to visit. 3. So get there before everybody else does. Up through the end of April is a great time to visit Valley of Fire. Visit one (or all) of the four surrounding state parks. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. Check-out the Virgin River Gorge Video below if youve never experienced the drive in person. Recent Articles. Hike, bike, e-bike, or even horseback ride your way through Snow Canyon State Park in St. George, Utah. Horseback Riding - Experience one-of-a-kind guided horseback trips throughout the canyon, available March through October. 4. It doesnt matter if youre interested in architecture, history, or religion; St George Temple is a place that all visitors should add to their itinerary. 37.8042924,-114.4091474, map. Maybe you crave a drive to Boulder City to see the Hoover Dam, Lake Havasu to zip around on Jet Skis, or St. George to hike scenic . The oldest and largest state park in Nevada, this place is awesome! Book a room at the Crescent Moon Inn. Its mind-boggling to think about how this section of I-15 was created out of sheer rock and stone. When most people think of a desert, what comes to mind is rocks and sand. 9 Best Campgrounds near St. George, UT. The 60-room boutique hotel opened in early 2020, blending luxury with rustic pioneer-esque touches with a heavy emphasis on locally sourced wood and materials. In St Georges downtown, youll find so many museums, parks, and restaurants that itll make your head spin! The 50-acre property features gardens, renovated rooms in a variety of sizes, on-site dining options . A developer got the idea to sell homes in the area and most hide in plain sight with large lots and exteriors that blend into the environment. If you need to get back to catch your flight out, then head straight back the way you came. St George's affection for art and nature is reflected in Kayenta, an isolated community in the desertscapes northwest of the city. St. George, Utah is a four-season . I started this loop-style road trip in Phoenix, Arizona. Grand Canyon National Park (North Rim) - 150 miles away. Here are my top tips to help you plan your trip to St. George. The annual event went virtual during the pandemic, but is expected to return to its full in-person format at Ancestor Square in 2022. Answer 1 of 13: Please suggest itinerary for about 5 days, arriving to Las Vegas, driving to St. George. Here is our list of what to see and do in the area. There are plenty of great places to stay from luxury hotels, historical BnBs, and even a few great motels. Pizza and sandwiches (with house-made sourdough) keep the place busy during lunch. The 500 million year old Virgin River Gorge is located in the far northwestern corner of Arizona, between Nevada and Utah. Water Canyon has shaded water features and views of Zion National Park from Canaan Mountain. While its still worth driving by to check out, be aware that the temple is in the middle of a major renovation project and closed until 2022. Play along . This 7,400-acre park offers a vast array of activities and sightseeing opportunities. Allegiant Airs parent company squeaked out a profit last year following a big jump in fuel costs and other increased expenses. Fillmore City was named after Millard Fillmore, the 13th President of the United States, and was once the territorial capital of Utah. Simply by walking through the downtown, you can see the traditional American and Mormon influences in the architecture! Depending on the license, some bars are required to serve food with alcohol, which is why St. George's favorite dive bar, The One and Only, has bags of potato chips on standby with each drink. Detour to. More than 170 years ago, pioneers began to settle in what is now known as St George. Visitor Center Hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. RV sites with water and power are available. While we spent about 4 hours here, you could easily spend more or less time depending on your schedule. With spectacular mountain views and plenty of red rock vistas, we found St. George to be a truly beautiful city. This and the Rainbow Vista Trail were our favorite spots. Spend a few extra bucks on a villa. Ancient petroglyphs can be seen at several different locations throughout the park. With so much to see in one setting, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area is one of the best activities to do when visiting St. George, Utah. There's also a labyrinth and performing arts center with a stage for small events. You cant divide the history of St George from the Mormon religion. While its a little outside of your route to Zion, its so close to Las Vegas and definitely worth a stop. The third floor is your best bet for liquor and libations. Next up, its time for some family fun in nearby St. George. St. Thomas is one of Nevada's most unique ghost towns, as it would normally be 60 feet underwater if not for extreme drought conditions. The largest town in Southwest Utah is slowly and comfortably embracing its growth at just the right pace. Despite the daunting terrain, federal authorities decided to create a direct path through the Virgin River Gorge. 26771 Genesee Lane, Golden, Colo. No matter where you go, Utah-produced High West is almost always the whiskey of choice. When traveling from the Midwest to Zion National Park in Southern Utah, the best place for us to fly into is Las Vegas. Along the way these travelers pass within 15 miles of a park that offers arches, petroglyphs, red rocks, petrified wood, spectacular geologic formations and beautiful desert scenery. Open year-round, there is a variety of things to see and do in the park, with the most popular being the hiking trails. This decision shortened the route on I-15 between Las Vegas and St. George, Utah by 12 miles of driving distance over the older and more treacherous U.S. Highway 91. Jaw-dropping canyons, snaking rivers, rusty red cliffs and scenic roads in every direction. The gougres (savory cheese-filled pasties) and salmon rillettes will keep you full while exploring historic sites like the. The Downtown Insider. The Vortex (or "Bowl") trailhead is named after a strange, sunken hole at the top of a sandstone formation. After a stunning day of hiking through Zion National Park, its time to explore Utahs western heritage. I found this gem completely by accident during my last trip back to Salt Lake. The stunning natural beauty speaks for itself. Bird checklists are available at the visitor centers! The menu changes frequently with a focus on fresh ingredients and grass-fed beef, but the jalapeno-carrot soup is a staple that will never go away. Noted as one of the most romantic spots around St George, you can bring a date or explore the park solo. , recognizing the absence of light pollution in the area. If you leave St George at 4 , you would be at Zion by 5.There is a shuttle at Zion that takes about 1.5 hours to go from the visitor center to the end of the canyon and back.You will be very limited on time coming that late in the afternoon.You may want to skip a night at . 1. But why deal with the large crowds, heavy traffic and paid parking when you can zoom out on Google Maps and choose less chaotic accommodations in or around St. George instead? Wood.Ash.Rye is quickly becoming everyone's new favorite restaurant in town. Check out rare finds like swimming dinosaur tracks, imprints of scaly dinosaur skin, and natural 3D cast fossils, formed when rising water levels and sediment filled the tracks. But more often than not, everybody seems to be on the same page. Its a great place for those who love to play hard but want to come back to a little relaxation and rejuvenation (a bit of luxury). Even if its not hot weather, you can become dehydrated quickly. Formerly a general store built in 1911, it now sells nostalgic candy and ice cream. Boaters seem to have more breathing room here than at Sand Hollow despite less overall water acreage. Twice-weekly flights on the airlines Airbus A320 fleet will begin in June for Harry Reid International Airports seventh busiest commercial air carrier. From Valley of Fire, get right back on the I-15 North and drive for about an hour and forty-five minutes until you reach the town of St. George, Utah, right by the Arizona/Utah border.. A notable stop in this town, particularly since our final destination is Salt Lake City, is the Brigham Young Winter Home, a historic residence and current museum. Everybody in St. George says the same thing: You gotta see a show at the Tuacahn Amphitheater. But it should be! 2023 DIVERGENT TRAVELERS | ADVENTURE TRAVEL BLOG, 20. Read about the 35 best attractions and cities to stop in between the Monument Valley and Las Vegas, including places like Page, Horseshoe Bend, and Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge . Its possible to appreciate this from the ground, as most of us do, but its even more impressive from the sky on a balloon flight. While prohibition during the 1920s halted the city's growth, there were plenty of underground gambling halls, speakeasies . With capacity growing at Las Vegas airport, baggage systems at Terminals 1 and 3 will be upgraded, according to Rep. Dina Titus, who helped secure the grant. 3:34 pm Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. The donuts, tarts . The Virgin River Narrows is a hike through shallow water, leading to an area called "Wall Street" where the shoreline gives way to steep canyon walls. Utah does not lack rocky desert and barren mountains, but if youre looking to cool off or spend a relaxing day by the water, make sure to check out Quail Creek State Park. Formerly a wine cellar, it now hosts stage productions by the, on the campus of Dixie State University, featuring a rotating lineup of six exhibits each year. Sky-high views are the payoff, but it's not for those with a fear of heights. Thats why we adjusted our itinerary and headed back to Vegas a day early rather than drive this section and other parts of I-15 that we felt could be a little tricky in the snow. The distance between these places is around 70 to 80 miles or an hour and half driving time. Location: Valley of Fire State Park. This scenic drive is at the top of the list of all scenic drives Ive been on and is really awe-inspiring. The menu changes frequently with a focus on fresh ingredients and grass-fed beef, but the jalapeno-carrot soup is a staple that will never go away. There are over 500petroglyphsthat date back 6,000 years,it isa unique and sacred site that will give you an inside look into the past of the Native American cultures that lived here. You can also travel the byway from Payson by taking I-15 Exit 248. Scout's Lookout is less challenging, but provides plenty of great scenery as well. See something you like? End: Cedar Breaks National Monument, just outside Cedar City. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. But the St. George Art Festival may be the best place to see a wide variety of art in one place. The Valley of Fire is located 55 miles northeast of Vegas and can be accessed from I-15 at Exit 75. Beer was famously required to be watered down in the past, but that's no longer the case. Snow Canyon State Park partners with several hiking and biking vendors so youll be covered with rental equipment, including the popular e-bikes, to make your trip fantastic. With everything from hiking trails to restaurants, youll be able to find what places best suit how you like to travel. It's 123 miles from Las Vegas to here, St. George, Utah. Convenient shuttle service between Las Vegas, Nevada, St George, Utah, Kanab, Utah and Page, Arizona. Farmhouse Bakery, another recent addition to St. George, is a European-style patisserie, led by a team of Las Vegas transplants that includes Thomas Kellar's former pastry chef. In addition to arches, rock formations in the park include beehives pockmarked sandstone caused by centuries of erosion from wind and water. Budget Hotel: If you looking for somewhere good to stay in St George that is light on yourbank accountwe suggest the Best Western Coral Hills. You can also check out the Sears Art Museum on the campus of Dixie State University, featuring a rotating lineup of six exhibits each year. The first hotel and casino to open its doors was the Golden Gate in 1906, which is still open on Fremont Street today, making it the oldest in the city.. Pizza and sandwiches (with house-made sourdough) keep the place busy during lunch. Just a few weeks ago, Zion was officially designated an International Dark Sky Park, recognizing the absence of light pollution in the area. It all began with Xetava Gardens Cafe, a gift shop and espresso bar with hand-carved doors and cabinets. Farmhouse Bakery, another recent addition to St. George, is a European-style patisserie, led by a team of Las Vegas transplants that includes Thomas Kellar's former pastry chef. A pair of rooftop decks with large hot tubs more than make up for the absence of a swimming pool. Between the bright red terrain and the arch itself, it's almost impossible to take a bad photo. We are active couple with teenager son. With those road-stop suggestions out of the way, here's what to do in St. George after you arrive. Get on the water or the beach at Sand Hollow State Park and explore the stunning Snow Canyon. But don't be afraid to try something unfamiliarlike a kouign-amann, a buttery French cake with a sweet, crunchy, brittle-like exterior. Actor Tom Sizemore dead at 61 after brain aneurysm: Reports, Biden faces mounting pressure for a Plan B on student loan forgiveness, 'I have to get off this mountain': LA-area towns still buried in snow, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life after being found guilty of murder. If you boulder, this is by far the best thing to do in St George. and leave at 12:42 pm. St George is a great place to both live and is known for its retirement communities. A gorgeous, albeit somewhat white-knuckle drive for this apprehensive driver, the scenic Virgin River Gorge is something to behold. Translation: the stargazing is ridiculous. St. George, Utah . In addition, see some of the most beautiful places in the region, including Cedar Breaks National Monument and Kanarraville Canyon. Virgin River Gorge Scenic Drive. 4:39 pm arrive in Saint George. is relatively easy to reach with a hike near the Virgin River. Its a perspective you can not get from the ground. Want to spend the night? in history and is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association, the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association, and the International Travel Writers Alliance. Are you looking to explore more of the culture around St George? Be careful driving. Summertime travelers might get the impression that the park got its name from its environment, rather than its rock formation. It was sold and turned into a full-fledged restaurant with art galleries popping up around it. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "abe0ee1bb1ce091c654aedc463cf2206" );document.getElementById("d2f8ec4791").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); We are David & Lina Stock, a married couple from NW Wisconsin who have been traveling together since 2001. St. George, Utah is a great strategic point for all those who begin their trip in Las Vegas to visit the parks in Utah and Arizona, but also for those who are planning a visit to northern Utah. Georgia has discipline problem that calls for action from Kirby Smart. Want more Thrillist? Just about 30 miles North of Mesquite along I-15 you will find a city named St. George Utah. We love staying at a Hampton Inn & Suites hotel since they are on the upper end of the chain hotels with nice rooms and great services. Affordable Comfort in St. George Close to Zion National Park, Dixie Convention Center, and golf courses Conveniently located off I-15, with easy access to scenic trails, world-class skiing, and the bright lights of Las Vegas, our Super 8 St. George hotel puts outdoor excitement and vibrant nightlife at your fingertips. Rather than taking you inside a building, a roof covers the original tracks and footprints of dinosaurs at this museum. St. George Narrows (The Crack) This fun slot canyon is only a short walk from the parking lot and is well worth a stop. His work has also appeared in, , Trivago Magazine, Sophisticated Living, Modern Luxury, Leafly, Las Vegas Magazine, and other publications. In fact, unless youre staying within the borders of Zion, its highly probable that youll be staying in Springdale. If you have more time to kill before your flight, you may want to check out some of the hiking trails or even go horseback riding. Some rooms have balconies, some have tall arched ceilings. Dont forget to stop in Judds Store thats tucked just off the busy main street. You can even check out the views from the pool or the patio of, Photo by Matt Umland, courtesy of Wood Ash Rye, Enjoy the best food St. George has to offer, In a refreshing change of pace, St. George isn't overwhelmed by chain restaurants, especially Downtown. The park has this hike rated as moderate and I would agree. Construction finished in 1973 at a cost of over one million dollars . Since youre starting off in Las Vegas, it only makes sense to see one of the most iconic Vegas landmarks, the Welcome To Las Vegas sign. And since the temperatures do get HOT as you get into summer in St. George, you are going to want to get in the water. Hikes such as Angels Landing and The Narrows showcase two very different sides of the area. is the city's most identifiable landmark, an imposing white structure that contrasts sharply with the surrounding homes and businesses. If youre looking to learn more about local history and pioneers moving out west, be sure to visit the Jacob Hamblin Home. The museum and research center was built on the site of Johnson's Farm, where leveling work turned up footprints on sandstone blocks. Its about a two hour drive to St George. The 2,000-seat venue gives the audience a unique opportunity to watch a show underneath the stars with the red rocks of Snow Canyon as a backdrop. Little Black Mountain Petroglyph Site. Show only these on map. The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous natural wonders of the United States and it's relatively easy to get to if you're starting out in St. George. Start:Drive roughly two hours northeast on I-15 from Las Vegas to St. George. The word Dixie probably wont mean anything to you until you spend a few days here exploring, but one of the best ways to find out what it means is to head up that mountain to where its painted. Situated a little more than 1 hour from the Strip, Fire Wave Trail is one of the most beautiful spots for hiking in Las Vegas and its surrounding areas. Every domestic air carrier operating at Harry Reid International Airport had more passengers in 2022 than in 2021, and three new carriers made their Las Vegas debut. Read theseresourcesto learn how to travel thoughtfully and experience Utah most fully on your journey. The bus journey time between St. George and Las Vegas is around 2h 5m and covers a distance of around 118 miles. Other popular stops include Las Vegas Strip, Hoover Dam, and High Roller. If you're flying in, Las Vegas is the better choice - or you can fly directly into St. George Regional Airport once it reopens in September 2019. Yet hikers don't need to solely rely on state parks to venture off the beaten path. The Inn on the Cliff lives up to its name with a perch high atop the towering cliffs that frame the western edge of St. George. stay for about 1 hour. With those road-stop suggestions out of the way, here's what to do in St. George after you arrive. While talking to locals, we were told that the park is pretty low-key all the time for some reason, its not on peoples radar. Ride a gondola at the Venetian.