4 Things To Plan Before Your Trip To St. George

St. George Express Zion National Park 15
Planning to arrive by bus? See our St. George office stop for the address, pickup details, and available trips. However, trips are not fun unless you know what is in store. There are four things you need to consider before planning your trip to St. George. These things include museums/history, activities, parks, and food.

The Museums & History of St. George

St. George has loads of history and museums to display the amazing artifacts from history. Just outside of St.George is The Jacob Hamlin house. Inside there are preserved artifacts from the 1800s. These artifacts depict what life was like from Jacob Hamlin who played a huge role in serving the American Indians and settling St. George. Another key player in the history of St. George is Brigham Young. St. George In St. George you can find the Brigham Young Winter home. Tours of the home show what life was like for him and his growing family in the 1870s as well as his participation in the community. Another gem found in the heart of St.George is the Daughters of Utah Pioneers Museum which is packed with pictures and artifacts from the pioneers. They offer tours and have a fun scavenger hunt to participate in. Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum is another fun place to visit. There you can find wildlife from every continent. You are free to walk around on your own or pick up an electronic wand and be taught by individual narration about the creatures that roam and have roamed our continents.

The Activities

If you are looking for an outside adventure, St. George does not disappoint. The winters in St.George are pretty mild but if you go to certain resorts the mountains are full of skiers and snowboarders. The summers on the other hand are hot. But there is nothing better than spending a hot summer afternoon near the water. St. George is home to three perfect water locations. Whether you choose to go fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding or boating you will enjoy yourself at Sand Hollow State Park, Gunlock State Park, and Quail Creek State Park. If you like shooting come practice your aim at “The shooting experience”. Horseback riding or ATVing is a unique way to view some of the canyons and trails in St. George. All of these activities are loads of fun but nothing beats hiking through the canyons of the state and national parks.

The Parks

St.George is known for its red rocks and national and state parks. You can visit one park or go see a few. Each park has unique wildlife, vegetation and rock formations.

Chuckwalla Trail

Chuckwalla is a moderate, two-mile round-trip trail into Paradise Canyon, with sandy and uneven rocky sections. Stay on designated trails and follow posted closures.

Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon State Park has trails through sandstone formations and lava fields. Choose a trail that suits your group and check current conditions before setting out. You can check out the current Snow Canyon trail guides. Whiterocks Trail is a moderate, four-mile round trip. The amphitheater can also be reached on a one-mile trail from the Whiterocks Road parking lot. Use the park guide to choose the correct starting point. Lava Flow is a moderate, 2.6-mile round-trip hike over uneven ground through a lava field. Follow park guidance and posted signs around lava tubes. Petrified Dunes is a moderate, 1.2-mile round trip across sandstone, with steep and uneven sections. Desert heat can be dangerous. Bring water, check the forecast, and follow the park’s seasonal safety guidance.

Zion National Park

Zion’s free park shuttle serves Zion Canyon during its operating season. It is separate from your Salt Lake Express trip. Check the current park shuttle schedule and trail closures and park alerts before visiting. Here is the current Zion maps and visitor guides.

Angels Landing

Angels Landing is a strenuous 5.4-mile round-trip hike with 1,488 feet of elevation gain and exposed drop-offs. A permit is required to continue beyond Scout Lookout onto Angels Landing. Read the official permit and hiking guidance before planning your hike. Do not attempt the exposed section in wet or icy conditions, during storms, or if you are afraid of heights.

The Upper Emerald Pools

Upper Emerald Pools is reached by a moderate hike with stone steps and sandy sections. The full distance depends on your starting point and connecting trails. Check the official Upper Emerald Pools trail description and current closures to plan your route. Stay out of the pool, which is a water source for wildlife.

The Temple of Sinawava

Temple of Sinawava is the starting point for Riverside Walk and the bottom-up Narrows hike. Riverside Walk is paved; check Zion’s current trail accessibility information to see whether the route suits your needs. Continuing into The Narrows means walking in the river over slippery, uneven rocks, with risks including flash floods and cold water. Check current Narrows conditions and safety guidance before entering. The bottom-up hike does not require a permit, and you can turn around rather than complete a fixed distance. Zion National Park does not rent gear. Arrange suitable footwear, layers, and other equipment before starting; NPS explains recommended gear and local rental options.

The Food

Food is always an important part of a vacation. No matter what you are in the mood for, they have it in St.George. Some of the local favorites are as follows. The Painted Pony is a well loved fine dining restaurant that serves American Contemporary food. The Hawaiian Poke Bowl is another option. It has 5 stars on trip adviser and its seafood, Polynesian food and Hawaiian food does not disappoint. Red Fort Cuisine of India is another favorite. It is a traditional Indian food restaurant. Another cheaper, yet popular option is Irmita’s Casita which is a Mexican restaurant. They offer all types of options from authentic to Tex-Mex.

Whether you want to relax and enjoy the scenery with some good food or experience an action filled adventure, St. George is the place to visit. Plan your bus trip to St. George separately from transportation to parks and trailheads.