St. George, Utah, is a popular jumping-off point for outdoor adventure. It’s 40 miles from Zion National Park, two hours from Bryce Canyon and more immediately surrounded by lesser-known (but equally stunning) state parks and recreation areas.
While there’s a lot to do outside the St. George city limits, you could easily spend the weekend exploring the town and its cultural — and culinary — offerings.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Explore the Arts and a Park
Grab a quick breakfast at the hotel so you can head out to the Kayenta Art Village in the morning light. Depending on the weather, the landscape glows golden or pink early in the day.
Surrounded by the desert, the Kayenta community is built around art — artists’ studios, art galleries, art classes, shops selling artisan goods and more.
You might watch an artist engaging in some elaborate chalk work on a pathway. There might be musicians and dancers performing in a plaza or an open-air art fair, where you can buy pottery, jewelry and photography. The common thread here is art with no boundaries — just big ideas under a big blue sky.
Eat lunch at the elegant Xetava Gardens Café, located within the village. The low-slung, red-rock building blends beautifully with its surroundings — and looks entirely handmade with its carved doors, rough-hewn metal fixtures and painted cabinetry.
The xeriscaped (desert-appropriate) gardens surrounding the patio are magical, too, and this is where you’ll enjoy the kitchen’s thoughtfully sourced and prepared food — salads, tacos and wraps are always on the menu.
Rested now? Good, because you’re off to Snow Canyon State Park. Compared to the more famous Zion National Park, Snow Canyon is closer and much less crowded. But it delivers similar — and jaw-droppingly gorgeous — geography, including lava flows, sheer sandstone cliffs, dunes, slot canyons and other features unique to this part of the country.
There’s a list of hikes for nearly every fitness level. Jenny’s Canyon Trail, for instance, is a 20-minute, half-mile loop that rewards hikers with a dramatic “slot” — a narrow path between two tall canyon walls. The more difficult, three-hour Red Sands Trail features sandy paths scented with sage and offers views of sandstone ledges and towering cliffs.
Return to St. George for a little R&R, then grab a table at the cozy and casual Black Bear Diner for dinner. The eatery is known for its breakfast-for-dinner options as well as hearty classics like meatloaf, served with soup, cornbread, veggies and mashed potatoes.
Saturday: Stay in Town
Start with a healthy breakfast (try the vegan sausage breakfast burrito) at FeelLove Coffee while taking in its views of the red sandstone buttes nearby. Then head to the St. George Utah Temple to marvel at its white castle-like columns and tower.
After that, learn more about Mormon history at the Brigham Young Winter Home, where Young spent his winters in the late 1800s. Take a tour to see the antique furnishings and multiple — and elaborate — gardens.
For lunch, try Riggatti’s Pizza on Main Street, where they serve up more than a dozen kinds of pie. A local favorite? The “CBR” (chicken, bacon, ranch).
Next up, visit the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm. Spend time checking out the thousands of fossilized dinosaur footprints and life-size dino models. You’ll learn more about the 200-million-year-old (!) ecosystem that supported these creatures.
Kick the evening off with dinner at Wood Ash Rye at the Advenire, a boutique hotel, where the menu features delectable items made for sharing. The signature cocktails go down easily after a busy day — try the “Desert Rain,” which combines specialty agave, mezcal and grapefruit, among other refreshing ingredients.
Finish the day with an ice cream sundae at Nielsen’s Frozen Custard, famed for its signature sweet treat. Looking for a nightcap? Pop by Station 2 Bar by Zion Brewery for a craft beer, where locals love the Zion Pale Ale.
Sunday: Head for the Hills
Start your day with a plate of Belgian waffles at the Bear Paw Café, a local go-to since 1995. While you’re there, order a picnic lunch to go, because the rest of the day will be spent outside.
Make your way to the Red Hills Desert Garden just north of town to discover more than 5,000 desert plants.
Next stop, Pioneer Park, just a little farther down the road. It’s a stunning place that’s much loved by rock climbers, but it also offers hiking trails — and a mile-long round-trip hike with sights like Dixie Rock, Pioneer Cabin, the Dixie Sugarloaf, St. George Narrows and the iconic Pioneer Park Arch.
You’ll find picnic tables scattered en route, including a few between Pioneer Cabin and St. George Narrows.
After snapping some pictures, make your way back to your car and return to town. End your evening at the acclaimed Painted Pony, famous for its upscale Southwestern cuisine. Try the bacon-wrapped duck, followed by a slice of ooey-gooey chocolate cake.
Finally, toast to a vacation well spent with a local beer at Hive 345 Tap House. And we do mean local: The Silver Reef Agua Diablo, a Mexican-style lager, is brewed at the town’s own Silver Reef Brewery.
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