What is there to do in St. George, Utah? That singular question is quite likely the most-asked question in Southern Utah. Tourists want to know what to do in St. George when visiting the Mighty Five. Commuters driving through St. George on their way to Las Vegas want to know where to stop for a quick, delicious bite to eat. Newly transplanted locals who left California or Salt Lake City want to learn more about their new home. Even my friends and family ask, “why did you move to St. George?”

I arrived in St. George in August of 2020. Yes, I’m a WFH statistic (Work From Home). After nearly two decades in a Northwestern state that will heretofore remain unnamed, I and my family packed everything we own into a U-Haul truck and drove 1,000 miles to Utah’s Dixie (that nickname is another blog post for another day). It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I should have done it a long, long time ago.

So, what are the must-see and must-do attractions in St. George? Here are my top five in no particular order.

1. No visit to St. George is complete without a little expedition through Pioneer Park. Mind you, this isn’t your typical city park. There isn’t any hot metal playground equipment. Nor is there acres of lush green grass and endless shade trees. Instead, this is a desert wonderland – a 52-acre preserve that provides visitors a spectacular introduction to the desert landscape of Southern Utah.

If you do nothing else, set aside 30-minutes or so to explore the Pioneer Park slot canyon. It’s about a tenth of a mile long, but it’s an adventure nonetheless! You definitely have to get skinny in a couple of tight spaces, and that’s part of the fun! 

After exploring St. George’s most famous slot canyon, be sure to check out Dixie Rock. You can’t miss it: it’s the rock with bright white letters that spell DIXIE. From on top, you get a spectacular view of the city – from Santa Clara to the west, to downtown St. George in the middle, Bloomington to the south, and Zion National Park to the east. If you’re into rappelling or rock climbing, Dixie Rock is a fun place to explore.

Why DIXIE? To make a long story short, many of the first settlers of St. George originally came from the deep south. Not only did the weather remind them of back home, but they also grew cotton for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. 

Finally, the Red Rock Desert Garden on the park’s east side is an interesting and relaxing diversion. The city calls it Utah’s “first interactive desert garden showcasing water-efficient landscapes, endangered species and prehistoric tracks in one central location. If nothing else, you can find the plant ironically named Mormon Tea. 

2.  Speaking of Mormons, St. George is home to a large population of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. More than half of the city’s population is LDS, although with the recent influx of new move-ins, that percentage is likely much lower than it used to be. The city is home to two spectacular temples. 

These buildings are different from traditional chapels used for weekly worship services, and only members of the LDS church in good standing are allowed to enter. However, the church maintains a visitor center on the grounds of the original St. George temple on 400 S. where visitors can learn more about this historic building and its significance to church members. The temple grounds are beautiful and impeccably maintained. And did you know that the St. George temple was finished and put into use before the famous Mormon temple in Salt Lake City? 

Not too far from the St. George temple is the Town Square. Located in the heart of the original downtown, you’ll find several of St. George’s most historic buildings. The area features a fantastic water feature for the kids, including a lazy river and a splash pad. Take a tour of the historic tabernacle, visit the children’s museum, take a ride on the old fashioned carousel, and grab a soda at Thomas Judd’s Store Company which claims to be the area’s oldest ongoing retail establishment.  

3.  Snow Canyon State Park deserves a blog post of its own – or three or 20.  In many ways it is just as spectacular as Zion National Park about an hour to the east, albeit a lot less crowded. From ancient lava flows to petrified sand dunes, the scenery inside and around this 7,400 acre natural wonder is fascinating. The brilliant red sandstone walls are awe inspiring, as are the white petrified domes. The desert plant life is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, and if you’re lucky you can spot an endangered desert tortoise.

If you go, and I highly recommend you do, bring your hiking shoes and plenty of water. There are more than 38 miles of hiking trails inside this park. Jenny’s Canyon is a beautiful but short slot canyon that doesn’t disappoint. Scout Cave is a little bit longer of a hike with a view to beat all at the end.

Fun fact: this area was used in the filming of several major motion pictures, including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Jeremiah Johnson.

4. The venue at Tuacahn Ampitheater is a show in and of itself! Visitors are amazed from the moment they arrive outside this natural theater. Dramatic red sandstone cliffs serve as a stunning backdrop for some of the most fantastically-produced shows in state of Utah, if not the country. Some of the recent productions have included Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (think: Donny Osmond and David Archuleta), Beauty and the Beast, A Christmas Story and more! Tickets are sometimes hard to come by, so try to book before you arrive. 

Last Word

If you plan on visiting St. George between May and October, bring plenty of water. It gets hot (but it’s a dry heat). And don’t forget your hiking shoes.