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State Parks & Lakes

Minutes from downtown St. George, four stunning state parks offer hiking, boating, OHV riding, camping, and water sports — without the national park crowds.

🕐 15 min • 10 miles

Snow Canyon State Park

Despite its name, Snow Canyon rarely sees snow. Instead, you'll find a stunning landscape of red and white Navajo sandstone, black basalt lava flows, and petrified sand dunes — all within 15 minutes of downtown St. George.

Best for: Hiking, rock climbing, photography, family outings

Entry fee: $10/vehicle (Utah residents), $15/vehicle (non-residents)

Must-See Highlights

  • Petrified Dunes Trail — Walk across ancient sand dunes turned to stone — one of the most unique hikes in Utah
  • Lava Tube Trail — Explore a collapsed lava tube formed by volcanic activity 27,000 years ago
  • Johnson Canyon Arch — Easy hike to a massive natural arch
  • Hidden Pinyon Trail — 2.5-mile loop through lava flows and desert landscapes
  • Red Sands Trail — Connects to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve for longer adventures
🥾 Tip: Snow Canyon is perfect for a half-day adventure. Arrive early (before 9 AM) to beat the heat and secure parking on busy spring weekends. The park has 30 campsites with RV hookups if you want to stay overnight.
🕐 20 min • 15 miles

Sand Hollow State Park

Sand Hollow is the adventure hub of Southern Utah. The centerpiece is the Sand Hollow Reservoir — a brilliant blue lake set against red sandstone cliffs — surrounded by Sand Mountain, a 10,000-acre OHV area with some of the best dune riding in the West.

Best for: Boating, jet skiing, paddleboarding, OHV riding, swimming, camping

Entry fee: $15/vehicle (Utah residents), $20/vehicle (non-residents)

Must-See Highlights

  • Sand Hollow Reservoir — Crystal-clear, warm water — some of the warmest in Utah. Perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking
  • Sand Mountain OHV Area — 10,000 acres of red sand dunes for ATVs, dirt bikes, side-by-sides, and 4x4
  • Red Sand Beaches — Unique red-sand beaches that give the park its name
  • Boat Rentals — Jet skis, pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddleboards available at the marina
  • Campground — 46 RV/tent sites with stunning lake views
🏄 Tip: Sand Hollow's water temperature is warm enough for swimming from May through September. Weekdays are much quieter than weekends. If you're bringing your own OHV, you can ride directly from the campground to the dunes.
🕐 20 min • 12 miles

Quail Creek State Park

Just down the road from Sand Hollow, Quail Creek offers a quieter, more relaxed lake experience. The reservoir sits at the mouth of a scenic canyon with views of the Pine Valley Mountains — a beautiful backdrop for a day on the water.

Best for: Fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, camping

Entry fee: $10/vehicle (Utah residents), $15/vehicle (non-residents)

Must-See Highlights

  • Warm Water Fishing — Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie. One of Utah's best warm-water fisheries
  • Paddle Sports — Calm waters make Quail Creek ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding
  • Campground — 24 sites with shade ramadas, many with lake views
  • Hike the Shoreline — Unmarked trails around the reservoir offer scenic walks and photo opportunities
🎣 Tip: Quail Creek is less crowded than Sand Hollow and the water is actually warmer. It's the better choice if you want a peaceful day of kayaking or fishing without the OHV noise. The park is open year-round.
🕐 30 min • 20 miles

Gunlock State Park

The smallest and most secluded of St. George's state parks, Gunlock is a hidden gem. The reservoir is set in a narrow canyon with dark basalt cliffs giving way to red sandstone — and in spring, the Gunlock Falls cascade over the dam, creating a seasonal waterfall that's worth the drive alone.

Best for: Quiet days, fishing, spring waterfall viewing, avoiding crowds

Entry fee: $10/vehicle (Utah residents), $15/vehicle (non-residents)

Must-See Highlights

  • Gunlock Falls — Seasonal waterfall over the dam (best in late winter/early spring during snowmelt)
  • Fishing — Largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish in a serene setting
  • Kayaking — Quiet waters with dramatic canyon scenery
  • Wildflowers — Spring blooms of desert mallow, Indian paintbrush, and prickly pear cactus along the shoreline
🌸 Tip: Visit Gunlock in late March or early April when the waterfall is flowing and wildflowers are in bloom. It's also the least-developed park — no concessions or rentals, so bring everything you need.

State Parks & Lakes at a Glance

Four parks, each with a different personality. Pick the one that fits your vibe.

🕐 15 min

Snow Canyon

Hiking, photography, rock climbing. Lava tubes, petrified dunes, natural arches. No water activities — pure desert beauty.

Official Site →
🕐 20 min

Sand Hollow

Boating, OHV dunes, swimming, paddleboarding. The most action-packed park. Warmest water, red sand beaches, boat rentals.

Official Site →
🕐 20 min

Quail Creek

Fishing, kayaking, peaceful paddleboarding. Quieter than Sand Hollow. Warm water, great for families and anglers.

Official Site →
🕐 30 min

Gunlock

Secluded, quiet, spring waterfalls. Least developed. Best for solitude, fishing, and spring wildflower viewing.

Official Site →