Traveling with Kids: What to do in St. George, Utah
Looking for a great family-friendly vacation destination to spend a long weekend or spring break? Check out St. George, Utah! Here are some can’t-miss fun, free, and memorable activities to do when traveling with kids in St. George!
I lived in Utah for almost 20 years before I ever planned a trip to St. George. I had traveled through St. George plenty of times on my way to California (where I grew up), and I had even stayed there over night on my way to Zion National Park. But I had never planned a trip to explore St. George itself until a few years ago.
Well, it didn’t take long for me to realize why so many Utahns spend spring breaks and long weekends there. It’s such a great, family-friendly city! We’ve planned several trips back to St. George since our first trip, and we’ve never run out of things to do.
So if you’re in Utah and you’re itching to get away for a quick trip, or if you’re coming to Utah to for the National Parks (which you totally should–they’re amazing!), check out St. George.
Where is St. George, Utah
St. George is in the very southern part of Utah, just a few miles from the Arizona border. If you’re driving, it’s about four hours south of Salt Lake City and two hours north of Las Vegas, so it’s a perfect long weekend or spring break trip for Utah folks. And if you’re coming to Utah for the iconic National Parks (millions of people visit Utah’s “Mighty 5” each year…and for good reason!), St. George is a great gateway to visiting Zion. Plus, it has some amazing hiking of its own…without the entrance fees and crazy crowds.
What to do in St. George, Utah
Fun Activities for Families
Thunder Junction Park (Tonaquint Park)
This dinosaur-themed park is one of the biggest playgrounds I’ve ever been to. It is massive, and it’s super wheelchair friendly (which was so exciting to my brother-in-law who lives with us). It has all the playground equipment you could hope for (slides, swings, teeter-totter, etc.), plus a splash pad, an erupting volcano, and a train. On top of all that, there is a train you can ride around the park. It was a great little ride, and it only costs $1 per person (thank you St. George for keeping it reasonable). Plan to spend at least an hour or two here.
Also nearby is the Tonaquint Nature Center, which looked really fun to explore. Unfortunately, we spent so long at the playground that the kids were hungry by then, so we opted to save the nature center for next time (nobody wants to cross into “hangry” zone on vacation).
Five minutes south of Tonaquint Park you can find a huge slab of stone covered in ancient petroglyphs. It’s tucked away in the middle of a neighborhood (kinda random), but it was easy to find using Google Maps. I didn’t know what to expect before going, but we decided it was so close that we may as well swing by and check it out. I’m glad we did! No hike is required to get to the petroglyphs; it’s literally right by the road. I wouldn’t go WAY out of the way to see it, but if you’re at Thunder Junction anyway, it’s a quick detour that was worth spending 10-15 minutes to see.
This fabulous park is right in the heart of downtown St. George, adjacent to the library and the children’s museum (which is also a great way to spend a couple hours with young kids). We visited in the late afternoon, and it was a perfect time to rock hop through the river-style splash pad and cool our feet in the water.
Bonus tip: Ride the carousel. Just west of the splash pad is an old fashioned carousel. It only costs $1 per adult, and up to 2 kids ride free with each paying adult. Then, walk across the street to Judd’s store for some old-fashioned ice cream, specialty sodas, or unique candy. My kids loved the gummy pizzas and root beer barrels we found!
This outdoor theater is a splurge to be sure, but you get what you pay for. It hosts Broadway-style musicals and concerts under the stars, set against the stunning backdrop of the iconic red rocks. I’ve only been once, but I’ll never forget watching Javert galloping onto the stage on a real horse! The evening performances end pretty late, so it’s definitely a better activity for older kids, but there are lots of family-friendly shows kids will love!
We stopped by this fun (and FREE!) botanical garden mostly because it looked really wheelchair accessible (and it was), and I was glad to find that everyone really enjoyed it! I loved looking at all the gorgeous desert plants and learning their names. The kids loved spotting all the wildlife: fish, hummingbirds, and lizards. We all had fun winding through the man-made “slot canyon” and hunting for the real dinosaur footprint fossils that are on display in the park. Since it’s located right by Pioneer Park, you can easily pair it with other activities for a longer adventure (see below).
Pioneer Park is right next to the Red Hills Desert Garden, so they are a perfect pairing for a morning adventure. We didn’t plan to stop here, but as we drove past it, I couldn’t resist stopping for at least a few minutes at the Pioneer Park Little Narrows. It’s a easy slot canyon that kids will love climbing around in and exploring. (Note: it gets really narrow at the back.)
My kids have begged to visit Pioneer Park every time we have visited St. George. It’s huge, and it’s just so fun to spend an hour or two exploring different areas, playing hide and seek, and taking in the view of the city below. We never get tired of it!
If you’re looking for some more family-friendly hiking nearby, the Red Cliff Conservation Area is a great choice. On one of our trips, we hiked the Red Reef Trail and loved it. We had a group of 18 people, and everybody was able to manage it just fine.
I had read about Snow Canyon before our first trip to St. George, but we didn’t make it there. I knew I wanted to make it a priority the next time, and it did not disappoint. If your family loves exploring the outdoors like mine does, Snow Canyon State Park is a must while you’re in St. George.
Often called a “mini Zion,” this park is filled with red rock cliffs, lava fields, petrified sand dunes, and hidden slot canyons—all without the big crowds. It’s small enough to explore in a half day but you could definitely spend longer if you have the time.
Suggested Family Itinerary (Half Day):
- We started with the Lava Flow Trail (2.5 miles round trip, easy/moderate) where you can explore actual lava tubes and caves. We knew this would be our longest hike, so we did it first, while the kids still had energy. The cave entrance was a little tricky to find, but if you just ask other hikers, you’ll find your way.
- Jenny’s Canyon (0.3 miles). This is a short, shaded hike that leads into a little slot canyon. It’s a great way to take a break from the sun, and perfect for younger hikers.
- Sand Dunes. Just a few minutes from the Jenny’s Canyon Trailhead are the sand dunes. We stopped here for a bit and just let the kids play. Biggest, best sandbox ever!
Whenever hiking in St. George, keep in mind that it’s the desert and it gets HOT a lot of the year. So bring lots of water, sunscreen, hats, and plan to take breaks out of the sun.
Now, technically Zion isn’t in St. George, but it’s an easy day trip (it’s just an hour away)…and certainly worth doing. Did you know Zion is the 3rd busiest National Park? It’s popular for good reason, and it’s certainly worth visiting, but the crowds are no joke. A couple of tips for visiting Zion:
- Get there early. The earlier you arrive, the better chance you have of getting a parking spot.
- Plan in advance. The only way to get around most of Zion National Park, including getting to all the popular trail heads, is by shuttle. Private vehicles are not allowed in the main canyon. Make sure you book your shuttle pass ahead of time, or you may end up with a very limited itinerary.
- Become a Junior Ranger. My kids earning junior ranger badges whenever we visit national parks. Just ask a ranger for a junior ranger booklet, complete the activities inside (simple and fun educational pages to help kids learn about the park), and you earn a park-specific badge! It’s a great way to get kids engaged in the experience.
- Pack lots of water. Depending on the time of year, Zion can get really hot. We had beautiful weather the day we went (70 degrees on a mid-April afternoon), but if you go in summer, be prepared for the heat.
Easy Zion National Park hikes for kids: Riverside Walk, Lower Emerald Pools, Grotto Trail
If you’re staying in a vacation rental in Washington (just minutes north of St. George), don’t miss the AWESOME park there. It’s a ninja-warrior–style obstacle course, complete with a giant stopwatch so you can time your run! We stopped on our way home during our first visit to St. George, and it was the perfect final adventure. The kids got their wiggles out before the four-hour drive, and it worked like a charm!
Delicious Places to Eat in St. George
We usually rent a condo or a house in St. George, so we don’t eat out a lot, but we have found a few places to love. If you don’t want to cook, try these favorite eats:
- Angelica’s Mexican Grill – Was recommended to me by my foodie friend, and she did not steer me wrong! Delicious street tacos, nachos, and burritos, plus a salsa bar where kids can experiment with different flavors. Super casual vibe, so don’t worry about the kids being…well, kids.
- Iceberg Drive Inn – Old-school diner food and GIANT milkshakes (seriously big enough to share). Did we buy our kids shakes (and ONLY shakes) for lunch one day? Yes, yes we did.
- Pizza Factory – A St. George classic! Known for its fresh pizza, pasta, and mind-blowing (according to my kids) twisted breadsticks, it’s an easy win for families.
Pro tip: If you’re visiting in peak season, try to eat early (before 6 pm) or grab takeout. Restaurants can get super busy, and having a long wait with kids in tow is NOT fun.
Have you ever vacationed in St. George with kids? What were your favorite things to do? Let me know in the comments below!
I have been looking for a fun destination to take my kids to. This blog has given me the best location. My kids will love the dinosaur-theme park, Tonaquint Nature Center, and the Bloomington Petroglyph Park.