Episode #50: St. George & Southern Utah With Kids: The Ultimate Family Travel Guide
“the Crack” at Pioneer Park
SCROLL DOWN for a savable infographic of all the amazing things to do in Southern UT
Looking for a family-friendly getaway filled with beautiful red-rock scenery, outdoor adventures, swimming, hiking, and fun activities for kids? St. George and Southern Utah have so much to offer, whether you're planning a long weekend, a spring break trip, or a full family vacation.
We've visited St. George many times with our five kids, and it's become one of our favorite places to enjoy a mix of adventure and relaxation. We typically rent a house in a cute community in Washington, Utah, just outside St. George. Our rental community has an amazing pool with a lazy river and a huge waterslide, and my kids would happily spend the entire vacation there!
But one of the reasons we keep coming back is that there is so much to explore beyond the pool. From incredible playgrounds and unique museums to red-rock hikes, swimming holes, and nearby national parks, Southern Utah has something for every age.
In this episode of The Traveling Family Circus, I'm sharing our favorite things to do in St. George with kids, a few hidden gems we've found along the way, and some activities we're excited to try on future visits. I've organized everything by area to help you plan your own Southern Utah family vacation.
Family-Friendly Parks and Activities in St. George and Washington
One of the things I love most about St. George is the number of incredible parks and playgrounds. There are so many opportunities for kids to play, explore, and burn off energy without spending a fortune.
One of our favorite recent finds is Washington Wheels Park, which has an impressive skate park, pump tracks, a playground, a splash pad, and plenty of space for kids to ride their bikes and scooters. Our kids had an absolute blast here, and it's a great place to spend a few hours.
Thunder Junction All Abilities Park is another fantastic option, especially for younger children. This dinosaur-themed playground is designed to be accessible and offers plenty of opportunities for imaginative play. Other parks worth visiting include Canyon Park, which has fun ninja-style obstacles, and Fossil Falls Park, with its playground, open spaces, and nearby trails.
For a relaxing afternoon, you can also visit the St. George Carousel in the historic downtown area. It's a fun, inexpensive activity that's easy to combine with lunch or a visit to a nearby museum.
Swimming and Water Activities in St. George
If you're visiting Southern Utah during the warmer months, you'll definitely want to include some swimming in your itinerary.
We've enjoyed visiting the Sand Hollow Aquatic Center, a local indoor community pool that feels like a miniature water park. It's an affordable way to let the kids enjoy some water play without spending the money you would at a large water park.
We also love having access to a pool at our vacation rental. Some of our favorite St. George days involve exploring in the morning and returning to our rental house for an afternoon of swimming, relaxing, and spending time together.
There are also several outdoor swimming destinations in the surrounding areas, including Fire Lake Park, Sand Hollow State Park, and Veyo Pool.
Museums and Indoor Activities for Kids
St. George has several family-friendly museums that are perfect for taking a break from the heat or adding a little educational fun to your vacation.
The St. George Children's Museum is a wonderful option for younger kids, with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that encourage imaginative play.
Another interesting stop is the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm, where families can see real dinosaur tracks and learn about the prehistoric history of the area. It's a fun experience for kids who love dinosaurs.
Families interested in history and culture can also explore the area's pioneer heritage sites, the St. George Art Museum, and the Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum. Southern Utah also has a rich Native American history, with opportunities to learn about the Indigenous peoples who have lived in the region.
These museums are great options for filling a few hours between outdoor activities or planning a slower day during your trip.
Pioneer Park, The Crack, and Red Hills Desert Garden
One of the most memorable places to explore in St. George is Pioneer Park, a beautiful red-rock area where kids can climb, scramble over rocks, and explore the unique sandstone formations.
One of the park's most famous features is a very narrow slot known as The Crack. My sister and our kids made their way through it, but my husband and I decided we weren't going to risk getting stuck! It's a fun experience for those who can comfortably fit through, although I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who is claustrophobic.
Right next to Pioneer Park is Red Hills Desert Garden, a beautiful place to walk through desert landscaping and learn more about the plants that thrive in Southern Utah. These two attractions are easy to combine into one outing.
Snow Canyon, Ivins, and Tuacahn
Just west of St. George, the Ivins and Snow Canyon area offers some of the most beautiful scenery in Southern Utah.
Snow Canyon State Park, approximately 15–20 minutes from St. George, is a fantastic place to experience the area's red and white sandstone formations, lava flows, sand dunes, and scenic hiking trails. There are several shorter trails that work well for families, so you don't need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the park.
Nearby, Fire Lake Park at Ivins Reservoir is another fun place to cool off. Families can enjoy swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and relaxing by the water.
One of our favorite experiences in this area has been seeing a show at Tuacahn Amphitheatre. We saw Frozen live here last year, and it was such a fun experience. The outdoor theater is surrounded by towering red-rock cliffs, making it an incredible setting for a Broadway-style production.
If you're visiting during Tuacahn's performance season, I highly recommend checking the schedule to see which family-friendly shows are playing.
Glitter Mountain: A Unique Southern Utah Adventure
One of the most unique activities we've done near St. George is visiting Glitter Mountain, a selenite crystal mine located across the state line near Littlefield, Arizona.
Our kids absolutely loved searching for the beautiful, clear crystals and finding pieces to bring home. It felt like a treasure hunt, and it was such a different experience from the typical activities we do on vacation.
When we visited, collecting crystals operated on an honor system, and we paid through Venmo. Because the mine is privately claimed and collecting rules can change, be sure to check the current posted rules and payment instructions before taking any crystals.
This is a memorable outing for kids who love rocks, geology, and exploring the outdoors.
Veyo Pool and Crawdad Canyon
One place that's high on our list for our next visit is Veyo Pool and Crawdad Canyon, approximately 20–25 minutes north of St. George.
This unique destination has a natural spring-fed swimming pool surrounded by beautiful canyon scenery. Families can also enjoy hiking, camping, rock climbing, and catching crawdads in the creek.
It looks like such a fun place to spend a summer day, especially when the temperatures in St. George are climbing. Be sure to check seasonal pool hours and activity requirements before visiting.
Sand Hollow State Park and Red Reef Trail
If your family loves outdoor adventures, there are two more destinations worth adding to your itinerary.
Sand Hollow State Park, approximately 20–30 minutes from St. George, is a beautiful reservoir surrounded by red sandstone. It's a popular destination for swimming, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and other water activities. It's a great choice for families who want to spend a full day enjoying the water.
Another scenic option is Red Reef Trail, located in the Red Cliffs Recreation Area near Leeds, about 30 minutes from St. George. This beautiful red-rock canyon is known for its hiking opportunities and seasonal waterfalls and pools.
Water levels and trail conditions can vary, so always check the weather and current conditions before heading out, particularly when visiting narrow canyons.
National Parks and Day Trips From St. George
One of the biggest advantages of staying in St. George is its proximity to some of the most beautiful national and state parks in the Southwest. You can use St. George as your home base and take day trips to several incredible destinations.
Zion National Park is approximately 45–60 minutes from St. George and is one of the most popular day trips in the area. Families can enjoy scenic drives, beautiful canyon views, shuttle rides, and a variety of hiking trails.
Bryce Canyon National Park is approximately 2–2.5 hours away. It's a longer day trip, but the park's famous hoodoos and unique rock formations make it a memorable destination. Families can enjoy scenic overlooks and choose shorter hikes based on their children's ages and abilities.
Valley of Fire State Park, located in Nevada, is approximately 1.5–2 hours from St. George. Its striking red sandstone formations and beautiful desert landscapes make it another incredible place to explore, particularly during the cooler months.
With so many parks within driving distance, St. George is a convenient base for families who want to experience several destinations without changing hotels every night.
Our Tips for Planning a St. George Family Vacation
One of the reasons we love visiting St. George is that it's easy to balance adventure with downtime.
When planning our trips, I like to follow what I call the Rule of One. Instead of packing our schedule with activities from morning until night, we typically plan one major activity each day and leave the rest of our time flexible.
For example, we might spend the morning exploring Snow Canyon and return to our rental house for an afternoon at the pool. Another day might include visiting the Children's Museum, riding the downtown carousel, and letting the kids play at a local park.
If we're planning a bigger outing, such as Zion National Park or Sand Hollow, we'll usually let that be the main activity for the day.
Southern Utah can also get extremely hot during the summer, so I recommend planning outdoor hikes and activities early in the morning and saving swimming, museums, or indoor activities for the hottest part of the day.
You don't need to see everything in one trip. With so much to do in the area, there's always a reason to come back!
Why We Love Visiting St. George With Kids
St. George has become one of those destinations our family can return to again and again without running out of things to do.
We love that we can spend one day hiking through beautiful red-rock scenery, another swimming at the lake, another exploring museums and playgrounds, and another doing absolutely nothing except enjoying the pool at our rental house.
It's a destination that offers adventure, relaxation, and plenty of affordable family-friendly activities, all within a relatively short drive of one another.
Whether you're planning your first Southern Utah vacation or looking for new things to do on your next visit, I hope this episode gives you some ideas for creating a memorable trip with your family.
Listen to the full episode of The Traveling Family Circus for more about our personal experiences, favorite activities, and tips for visiting St. George and Southern Utah with kids.
If you've visited the area and have a favorite hidden gem or family-friendly activity that I missed, I'd love to hear about it! Send me an email using the contact information in the show notes.
And until next time, happy travels!
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