St. George Express Is Now Salt Lake Express

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St. George Express is now Salt Lake Express

We decided to consolidate our two brands under one name. Moving forward there will no longer be the southern Utah-branded St. George Express, rather, everything will fall under our main name of Salt Lake Express.

There will be no changes in routes, schedules, or the booking system. Everything will continue to operate as it always has.

“Our riders will only experience two differences with this change,” said Jacob Price, owner of Salt Lake Express. “They will ride on a bus that says Salt Lake Express instead of St. George Express and they will experience even better customer service than before. We are more committed than ever to provide our riders with top tier service, especially during this complicated time.”

The pandemic has been tough on the the travel industry, which is why we wanted to hit the road running. As we reintroduce our brand to the southern Utah and Las Vegas communities we want to emphasize our commitment to providing the best possible customer service and most flexible routes and schedules.

We will host a grand reopening event that will take place in early October at our St. George office (805 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT 84790). Community members are encouraged to stop by and enjoy complimentary refreshments as well as guaranteed discounts on future bus fares.

As a company, Salt Lake Express operates routes all around St. George, as far south as Las Vegas, NV, and as far north as Great Falls, MT. We travel heavily along the I-15 corridor as well as I-86 and I-84 between southeast Idaho and Boise, ID. Offering routes to many getaway destinations including Jackson, WY, Sun Valley, ID, and of course St. George, UT and Las Vegas, NV.

For more information about the new name or the company contact Lisa Young at 800-356-9796 ext. 6145 or at lisa.young@saltlakeexpress.com. If you’re interested in booking a trip visit saltlakeexpress.com or call 800-356-9796.

Read the official press release HERE.

disinfectant_handsanitizer_health_screenings_for_travel

Masks, Hand Sanitizer, Health Screenings, & More

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How can we help you travel more confidently?

As we enter back into a realm of normalcy, we understand that it’s going to take some time. However, we’re here to help that process along. Our goal here at Salt Lake Express is to earn the trust of our travelers. Even if that takes a little time. In order to improve confidence among our travelers, we’re implementing the following practices on our buses.

Health Screenings

To ensure our riders’ safety on our end, we’re making sure that all of our drivers are taking necessary precautions. They will all receive a basic health screening before their shift. This will help us know if anyone is feeling ill or showing early signs of illness. If a driver is unfit, then a different driver will take their place.

We have and are considering screening our passengers. However, it is a large undertaking so at the current moment we are adhering to social distancing practices. We have scaled back the amount of passengers allowed on a single bus.

Hand Sanitizer

Along with health screenings and the current disinfecting practices employed, we are now offering hand sanitizer. To be direct, we know that it doesn’t matter how often we tell you that we clean our buses if you don’t see it happen with your own eyes. In order to help with this effort, we will provide hand sanitizer on our buses as well as cleaning wipes that you are able to wipe down your area with.

You will find the hand sanitizer near the passenger entry of each bus. This way you are able to use it before touching any surfaces on the bus.

Face Masks

Applying a face mask - step 1

In doing our part to continue to slow the spread, we have been providing masks for all travelers for weeks now. When used in accordance with CDC guidelines, face masks can be effective at helping slow the spread of the virus.

While our drivers and riders employ these safety standards combined with common sense, we believe our buses are a safe transportation option during this time. With the addition of these provided face masks in conjunction with the daily deep cleaning of our vehicles, we are prepared for people to start traveling again.

The CDC recommends wearing face masks in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

Social Distancing

We are able to accommodate social distancing whenever possible. What we mean by this is that it’s really difficult to have a true 6 foot separation on buses. We are social distancing by limiting capacity on our vehicles whenever possible. This will help to make way for better social distancing while riding one of our buses.

In sum, our goal is to continue to do everything in our power to ensure safety while traveling with us. We believe that by taking these measures we can help people begin to feel comfortable when resuming regular travel again.

St. George Express Zion National Park 15

4 Things To Plan Before Your Trip To St. George

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St. George Express and Salt Lake Express make visiting St. George convenient and memorable. 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

At the head of the Chuckwalla Trail you can find people rock climbing or repelling down the rocks. As you head down the path you can see several caves in the rocks, as well as a variety of trees, flowers and wildlife.

At the end of the trail there is a mini arch. That looks over a beautiful view of the red rock land below.

Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon is a State Park that offers 12 unique trails just off of one road. Throughout the park there are several parking places, picnic areas and bathrooms. In the middle of the park, surrounded by red rock are one of a kind camping sites. It is also home to a diversity of plants and wildlife that are only found in this state park.

You can check out the Snow Canyon State Park Trail Map here.

In the middle of all this red rock however, is some white rock mountains. Due to its color one of the first trails at the top of Snow Canyon is called White rocks trail. It is a 4 mile trail that passes through red, white and black rock. A Quarter mile into the hike there is a fork in the path. If you take a right at this point you will come to the White rocks Amphitheater. This trail is a total of 1 mile that leads your to an amphitheater of natural sandstone and back.

Further down the road is the Lava Flow trail. This trail 2.5 miles of uneven surfaces due to the jumbled lava rock. There are also two lava tubes that are big enough to climb into.

Petrified Dunes is another fun hike. It is 1.2 miles long. There are some steep, uneven surfaces but a pretty moderate hike. This hike walks along Navajo sandstone outcrops and sand dunes that are petrified and frozen in time.

Snow Canyon is family friendly park. The shorter length hikes make it possible to enjoy more than one hike and see a variety of different views.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is open everyday of the year, however some facilities and services may be closed during certain parts of the year. A free shuttle is in operation March through late November. The shuttle starts at the Visitors Center and goes to the end of the park. There are 8-9 stops depending on the time of year and weather. Due to the weather and rock slides some trails may be closed as well. It is smart to have an idea of what trails you want to hike before you arrive to make the most of your time.

Here is the Zion National Park Shuttle and Trail Map.

Angels Landing

One of the most famous hikes in Zion is called Angels Landing. Although the view from this hike is breath taking, this hike is not for everyone. This hike is 5.4 miles with and elevation change of 1488 ft which means long drop offs. Since 2004, 10 people have died falling from the cliffs on this route. The path is often snowy and icy. It is not for young children of people with fear of heights.

The Upper Emerald Pools

The Upper Emerald Pools is another popular hike. It is a mile long hike across a sandy and rocky path. The hike ends at the Upper Emerald Pools at the base of a cliff. In the winter the pool is covered in snow and ice but is still beautiful. In the summer when the snow has melted the pool is an emerald green color with vegetation surrounding the pool.

The Temple of Sinawava

Temple of Sinawava is the last stop that the shuttles go to. It has a beautiful view along with bathrooms and water. This stop takes you to the trail head of Riverside Walk and The Narrows. The Riverside Walk is just what its name says. It is 2.2 miles of paved trail along side the river. It is wheelchair accessible and very easy but can get pretty cold in between the canyons. At the end of this trail is the start of The Narrows trail. This hike is one of a kind but pretty strenuous. It is an additional 7.2 miles and most of that is through water. However, there are boots and dry suits available at the visitor center for this hike.

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. So when you plan your trip to St. George, remember that the Salt Lake Express and the St. George Express are here to help.

St. George Express Las Vegas LDS Temple Route

St. George Express Provides Routes to the Las Vegas LDS Temple

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints announced last week that the St. George temple will be closed until 2022. It will be undergoing some major renovations over the next couple of years.

Regular temple attendance is important for devout Latter-day Saints. With this change, many members in southern Utah will be searching for a new temple to attend temporarily. So, which temple should you attend while the St. George temple is closed?

That’s a great question! Let’s walk through it together.

Las Vegas LDS Temple

Take a Trip to the Las Vegas LDS Temple

As many of our readers know, we have over two dozen stops along the I-15 corridor. Several of those cities house Latter-day Saint temples. Two of the closest temples to St. George is the Cedar City LDS Temple and Las Vegas LDS Temple. Routes are provided on both the Salt Lake Express and St. George Express to Cedar City and Las Vegas. However, until now we have not added any stops that take patrons directly to the temple.

When the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints initially announced renovations to the St. George temple, Jacob Price immediately saw a need. As the owner here at the Salt Lake Express and St. George Express as well as a resident of St. George, Price wanted to help his community.

“We felt that many would benefit from having a simple solution to get to and from the temple,” Price said. “We believe that having a stop right in the parking lot of the Las Vegas Temple will allow many to continue to attend the temple without inconvenience.”

That’s why we have happily decided to add FOUR daily routes that will shuttle temple attendees directly to the Las Vegas temple.

Travel time between St. George and the Las Vegas temple will take less than 3 hours.

Shuttle Times Built Around Temple Schedule

We’ve also arranged for these new shuttle schedules to allow temple patrons to stay in the area for a few hours, a half day, and a full day, depending on how long they wish to extend their trip. Our shuttles will arrive at the Las Vegas temple at 6:40 a.m., 9:40 a.m., 3:55 p.m., and 8:25 p.m. Departures will be 10 minutes after each arrival, as per usual.

We love our dedicated travelers, and hope that these changes will be of great value to southern Utah communities!

For more information about the new routes, or more about us here at the Salt Lake Express, contact Kathy Pope at 208-317-8211 or at kathy.pope@saltlakeexpress.com. If you’re interested in booking a trip visit taketheexpress.com or call 208-656-8824.

Things to do in St. George for Cheap

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St. George, Utah is one of the best cities in the world for inexpensive activities. Outdoor activities reign supreme. Because of temperatures that average over 70 degrees seven months of the year, people are always looking for new things to do. Here’s a list of 10 inexpensive ideas of things to do in St. George.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park could have a list of ten things to do just by itself. This world-famous national park is just 45 minutes from downtown St. George. Because the whole family can experience some of the best hiking, backpacking, climbing, and biking in the world, it comes at a cost – $25 per car.

Zion National Park is a world-famous park in St. George's backyard

Pioneer Park / Dixie Rock

Similarly, Pioneer Park is 52 acres of the famous red rocks of Utah. Feel free to explore the hills and cracks, or climb up Dixie Rock for a view that overlooks St. George.

Snow Canyon State Park

If you think Zion National Park is too big, and Pioneer Park is too small, Snow Canyon State Park will be just right. With all of the same features as the other two, some people prefer Snow Canyon State Park because it’s often overlooked by the common tourist. Just 20 minutes away from St. George, Snow Canyon State Park is popular among locals.

https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/snow-canyon/

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Because of the rapid expansion of southern Utah, the government took action in 1996. Over 60,000 acres were set aside to protect plants and animals alike. The desert tortoise, Gila monster, and other snakes and reptiles are often found here. The visitor center is open from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.

Gila Monsters are common in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Chuckawalla Climbing Wall

The Chuckawalla Climbing Wall is located at the beginning of the Chuckawalla trailhead. Climbers of any skill level can climb here, making it one of the most popular climbing areas in the state.

Coyote Gulch Art Village

So, you’ve had enough of the red rocks? While that’s what most of the outdoor activities in St. George entail, there are other things to do in St. George. The Coyote Gulch Art Village is a fun place to explore and experience Utah’s Kayenta Community. The art village is open to the public and free, although the actual art is very expensive.

http://www.coyotegulchartvillage.com/

St. George Tabernacle

There’s a strong Latter-day Saint (Mormon) culture in St. George, dating back more than 150 years. A white temple stands tall in the St. George landscape. Anybody is able to walk around the grounds, but only members of the church are able to actually go inside. Because of that, many people choose to visit the St. George Tabernacle instead. The tabernacle opened over 140 years ago and is now a historic St. George building. Close to the city center, the tabernacle is a nice place to stop by to experience a little bit of the history of St. George.

Parks on every corner

St. George and neighboring cities have worked hard to make sure parks are central to the outdoor life in St. George. Families can spend a warm afternoon at any one of the many parks in the city.

Parks are found everywhere - just one of many things to do in Saint George

Events

Since it’s over 70 degrees for seven months out of the year, there’s always something going on in St. George! Click on the link below to find a month-by-month list of all of the different events going on in this busy city.

https://www.visitstgeorge.com/calendar/2017/05/

Outdoor Activities

While on this list were specific places about where to hike, backpack, climb, and mountain bike, St. George (and all of southern Utah) is your playground. Get outside, head any direction, experience the diversity of the beautiful landscape of southern Utah. There’s plenty of things to do in St. George.

 

A Weekend Getaway to St. George, Utah

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Need a weekend getaway from the stresses of everyday life? St. George, Utah is a great escape location full of complete relaxation and amazing activities. You’ll experience warm sunny weather, gorgeous scenery, hiking, art, heavenly food, and so much more.

St. George is located in southern Utah. It enjoys a desert climate with mild winters and over 300 days of sunshine per year. The town is surrounded by red rock summits and deep canyons. It’s within a two-hour drive of the Grand Canyon, an hour to Zion National Park, and 90 minutes to Las Vegas. Lastly, the elevation changes from 2,860 feet in St. George to over 10,000 feet just 20 miles north.things-to-do-in-st-george-utah-getaway

Read Top 5 Hiking Trails in St. George

Downtown St. George itself hosts community events, concerts, and street fests each month. Town Square and the Red Hill Golf Course alone make it a worthwhile stay. To get started on the ultimate weekend getaway, below are some great ideas of places to stay, eat, and experience.

 

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Places to Stay

There are three places we recommend to stay, ranging from from least expensive to most expensive. First is The Best Western Plus Abbey Inn and Suites. It has an indoor whirlpool spa, a heated outdoor pool, exercise room, and guest laundry. Next is Inn On The Cliff which is moderately expensive, but well worth the cost. It was featured by trivago.com in an article as one of 18 spectacular hotels that must be added to any bucket list. It is known for “simply luxurious rooms” and an enhanced cliff side view overlooking St. George. Finally, and most expensive, is Red Mountain Resort. It is one of the most luxurious destination spa resorts. Features include daily guided morning hikes, walking trails, bicycling, fitness classes, and indoor and outdoor pools.

Read 5 Things to do in St. George Utah

Places to Eat

With so many options available in St. George it is hard to find the perfect place to eat, but The Black Bear Diner, Sakura, and The Cliffside Restaurant are fantastic options. The Black Bear Diner offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It is beautifully decorated, has a friendly staff, and has more menu selections than imaginable.  Sakura is a Japanese restaurant that serves sushi, hibachi, and Thai dishes. All aspects of the sushi cooking process is performed in front of your eyes. Prepare to be dazzled by the skillful mastery and showmanship of the chefs. And then Cliffside Restaurant offers not only an amazing view, but also a unique experience that you will not find anywhere else in southern Utah.  It is a local favorite and has a great variety of American-based foods.

Things to Do

activities-in-st-george-utah-getawayThat brings up the topic of things to do. First on the list is going toZion National Park and hiking, camping, and watching the wildlife. It has over 100 miles of trails and 15 miles of paved walkways. Canyoneering is also one of the more popular things to do in Zion National Park. Another great weekend getaway activity is stopping by the Coyote Gulch Art Village in Kayenta. Kayenta is an artsy, desert community a few minutes northwest of downtown St. George, and is also home to the Desert Rose Labyrinth with more than 1,800 indigenous rocks patterned. Next is exploring Gunlock Resevoir. It is 20 minutes from St. George and has soft orange sand and blue water. Top features include kayaking, exploring caves in the rocks, and some cliff jumping.

Top 5 Hiking Trails in St. George

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St. George is a top travel destination for many reasons. It has red soil and rock formations, historical sites, golf courses, palm trees, and extremely fun sand dunes. With so many options available, St. George offers endless opportunities to all ages. But there is one activity that brings people to St. George from all over the world: the hiking trails.

There are so many great hiking trails available around St. George it’s hard to not find a hike you’ll enjoy.  If you’re looking for a family friendly trail or just an adventurous trail St. George has options. However, below we have provided a list of the top 5 hiking trails in the surrounding areas of St. George to get you started on the right hike.

1) HellHole Canyon – Kayenta Canyon

First is Hellhole Canyon Trail. This hike takes you into a canyon that is not visible from the road, and, depending on the time of year, will reward you with a spectacular waterfall! The hike does have a few steep climbs and takes you along some drop-offs. Plan on taking a couple of hours, as this trail is roughly 3.2 miles round trip.

2) Johnson Canyon – Snow Canyon State Park

Next is Johnson Canyon Trail. This hike is a great option for families! The trail passes through a lava flow field and into a canyon where you will see a spring and a 200-ft arch. As you make your way, there are many places to rest in the shade as well as a place to sit and have a picnic. Plan on taking about an hour of hiking there and back as this trail is roughly 1.8 miles long.

3) Petrified Dunes – Snow Canyon State Park

Another great hike is Petrified Dunes Trail. This trail has mounds of petrified Navajo Sandstone and has some of the most incredible views in the park. The hike is one of the most photographed places in the area and accessible for exploring and wandering off the trail! Plan on taking about an hour of hiking as well. The hike is roughly 1.2 miles long.

4) Lava Flow – Snow Canyon State Park

Following Petrified Dunes is Lava Flow Trail and it is also great for families. It takes you past three lava tube or cave entrances, and through a lava field. The trail is also very educational; signs along the trail explain all about the lava tubes. There are opportunities to explore the lava tubes, so make sure to bring flashlights! Plan on taking about two hours to hike this two-mile trail.

5) Kanarra Creek – Kannaraville Falls

Last is Kannara Creek Trail. This trail takes you up a canyon and through lots of little streams and creeks. You won’t be able to complete it without getting wet, so plan accordingly. The trail crosses Kanarra Creek and eventually enters a slot in the canyon where hikers will enter a slit in the canyon. The slit has roughly 3-6 inches of water you have to cross in order to see the falls. Plan on taking about three hours to hike the trail, as it is about 4.8 miles long.

5 Things To Do in St. George Utah

Posted by Salt Lake Express on with 1 Comment

Are you in need of a warm weekend getaway? Then St. George, Utah is the place for you! Visit St. George to enjoy a variety of activities. Explore the beautiful red rock sandstone during all times of the year. Enjoy watching outdoor plays as the sun goes down. Go site seeing through the many different parks and see breathtaking views unlike any other. These are just a few of the many things to do in St. George, Utah! Read below to see what our top 5 things to do in St. George are.

 

1. Zion National Park

You can’t visit St. George, Utah without exploring Zion National Park! Zion National Park is an amazing canyon with over 147,000 acres of parkland. Enjoy breathtaking views as you hike to the top of Angels Landing or walk alongside the river at Riverside Walk. Take the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive to see landscapes unlike any other. You can also spend the night camping at either Watchman, South or Lava Campgrounds. Zion National Park has it all! Come to St. George and experience hiking, biking, rock climbing, canyoneering and camping at Zion National Park!

things to do in St. George Utah
https://stock.adobe.com/stock-photo/great-landscape-in-zion-national-park-utah-usa/51528440

 

2. Tuacahn Amphitheater

If you like movies, plays, concerts, musicals or being outdoors then Tuacahn is for you! Tuacahn Amphitheatre let’s you enjoy an outdoor show unlike any other. In the spring of 1995, Tuacahn Amphitheatre opened its doors for the first time. Seating 2,000 people, the outdoor Amphitheatre brings a show to life right before your eyes. Enjoy their 2017 Broadway Season filled with the amazing shows Shrek the Musical, Newsies, and Mamma Mia. You can check ticket pricing or purchase your tickets online. Visiting Tuacahn is just one of the many things to do in St. George, Utah!

 

 

3. Snow Canyon State Park

Located in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,4000-acre scenic park. Enjoy majestic views as you explore the 38 miles of hiking trails. If you plan on visiting for the day, it costs $6 for a vehicle with up to eight people and $2 for a vehicle with nine or more people. Explore views of nature at Snow Canyon State Park by looking for wildlife while hiking, biking or camping. This is a family friendly park to visit on your next vacation to St. George, Utah!

things to do in St. George Utah
https://stock.adobe.com/stock-photo/snow-canyon-state-park-ivins-utah-this-scenic-desert-red-rock-park-has-numerous-trails-canyons-and-spectacular-vistas/121578352

 

4. Kanarraville Falls Hike

Enjoy the heat of St. George by going on the Kanarraville Falls Hike! This is a water hike that you’ll want to cool off in during those hot summer days! The hike is 4.8 miles round-trip and is covered with lush trees and plants. The best time of the year to go is late spring, summer, and early fall. It  doesn’t cost to hike Kanarraville Falls, but if you are parking a car then there is a $10.00 parking fee. Enjoy walking through the flowing stream the entire hike! Remember to visit Kanarra Creek and enjoy the hike to the falls next time you visit St. George, Utah!

things to do in St. George Utah
https://stock.adobe.com/stock-photo/kanarraville-falls-utah/122982248

 

5. Pioneer Park

If you are a person that enjoys exploring and rock climbing, then Pioneer Park is for you! Pioneer Park has over 52 areas of land and offers an amazing view of Zion National Park and part of Arizona. This is a free park that is fun for people of all ages. Venture out to find Boy Scout Cave, slot canyons or Dixie Rock. Spend the day exploring with family and friends at Pioneer Park! This is another fun thing to do in St. George, Utah.

things to do in St. George Utah
https://stock.adobe.com/stock-photo/mini-sandstone-arch-at-pioneer-park-in-st-george-utah/104333554