22 Things to Do in St. George Utah That Won’t Break the Bank

From state and national parks, to scenic hiking and biking trails, to all sorts of opportunities for recreation, St. George is a place where bucket list-worthy adventures abound! And the best part is, there are a ton of awesome things to do in St. George Utah that cost little to no money.

Here at The Minivan Bucket List, we love affordable family road trips. Our philosophy is that you don’t have to travel half way around the world or spend a fortune to create lasting memories with your kids. We visit St. George multiple times a year, so we have our favorite traditions but we also love the fact that there’s so much to do nearby that we discover something new every time we go.

The best time to go to St. George is the spring or fall, when the weather is an ideal 70-80 degrees. But visiting St. George is also one of the best things to do in Utah in the winter if you need to chase the winter blues away! Winters in St. George are a mild 50-degrees and sunny with very little snowfall.

Free Things to Do in St. George Utah – Parks

1. Vernon Worthen Park

This is one of St. George’s oldest parks and is nestled near the downtown district. It is fully loaded with pickleball courts, a large grass area and an all-abilities playground with soft landing surface. It’s one of our favorite things to do in St. George Utah because our kids love the zipline, merry-go-round swing, saucer swing and smaller play area for toddlers. This park is also special to our family because it was named after Brittany’s great uncle, Vernon Worthen who helped settle St. George.

This park also happens to be the finish line of the St. George marathon so if you are visiting in the early fall, make sure to check it out or cheer on the 7,400 runners crossing the finish line.

Nearby eats: Bear Paw Cafe

2. Thunder Junction all-abilities park

Jump back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth! While St. George is known for the petrified velociraptor tracks, it also boasts one of the most dino-rific parks in the state. Thunder Junction is a great place for wheelchair access and soft surfaces, making accessibility easier. Kids can cool off in the T-Rex water fountain, red rock water falls, and splash pad during the hot months or climb on the endless playgrounds during the cooler months. Make sure to watch the erupting volcano or ride the train! The park is free and the train is just $1 per ride.

Thunder Junction is one of the coolest parks we’ve ever been to in all our travels, which is why we think it’s one of the best things to do in St. George Utah. Check it out! Our kids beg to go every time we’re in town.

Nearby eats: Viva Chicken

3. Pioneer Park

One of the most classic places in St. George is Dixie Sugarloaf also known as Dixie Rock. This spot is home to the sprawling 52-acre climbing paradise of Pioneer Park. Kids of all ages can hike up and take in panoramic views of St. George.

If you want some extra fun, there is a historic pioneer cabin, hidden caves and a even a short slot canyon. Our kids love hiding in the caves, playing in the sand or just scrambling on the fun rock features. You can also grab a fire pit or picnic area and give the kids a bbq or make some s’mores. Make sure to go in the evening and get a good desert sunset picture!

Nearby eats: Morty’s Cafe

4. Snake Hollow Bike Park

This adrenaline-packed destination is a must-visit for biking enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Nestled amidst the stunning red rock landscape, Snake Hollow offers a range of exciting trails and features for riders of all levels. From thrilling jumps to smooth lines, my kids and I had a fantastic time riding around the park trails together. It’s a perfect spot for family bonding and outdoor fun in the stunning St. George landscape. Whether you and your kids love to bike or are just getting started, this bike park is one of the funnest things to do in St. George Utah.

5. Skategeorge Skate Park

The Sk8 George skate park is located just a few blocks from the temple and is a great place to take the kids for a fun free outing. You don’t have to be a skater to visit Sk8 George, either. Whether your kids like to rollerblade, longboard, skate board, ride scooters, or even ride a bike, they’ll love testing their skills on the ramps and jumps.

Free Things to Do in St. George Utah – Explore the Outdoors

6. Glitter Mountain

The name of this mountain explains it all! Just 25 minutes southeast of St. George across the Arizona border sits Glitter Mountain. Known for its abundance of gypsum–a mineral that glitters in the sun, Glitter Mountain has become popular among visiting families. Our kids love this because it feels like a mound of endless treasure. We like to collect small pieces of gypsum and put it in a glass bottle for display in our home.

The owner of Glitter Mountain allows visitors to collect the minerals as a sparkling souvenir but to enjoy it from outside the pit. You are allowed to pick up any crystals one the ground – you are not allowed to bring picks or shovels.

Disclaimer: some of the hills are steep and slippery with sharp rocks and minerals so keep a close eye on smaller kids and wear appropriate footwear.

Nearby eats: none, so bring food with you.

7. Red Hills Desert Garden

A beautiful desert botanical garden called Red Hills Desert Garden sits near Pioneer Park. It is a 5-acre water conservation garden with 5,000 water-efficient plants native to the local desert. You can stroll the grounds and see blooming cacti, Indian paintbrush and plenty of other colorful desert blooms. There’s a hanging swing bench if you want to take in views of the garden and city and below you will find a small aquarium of Utah’s native fish.

If you pay close attention, you’ll see some small prehistoric dinosaur tracks that date back to 200 million years old! These tracks are found on the far east side of the garden. We went one evening around sunset and there was a man enchanting visitors with tunes on his Navajo flute. It’s a magical place for kids and visitors of all ages!

Nearby eats: Farmstead Bakery

8. Hike Aspiration Trail

Aspiration Trail is a fun, kid-friendly trail near Desert Color. Locals have painted inspirational messages on rocks that line nearly the entire trail, so it’s really fun to take your time along the way to read some the messages. We tried to make it extra fun for our kids and brought some of our own hand-painted rocks to contribute to the positive vibes! It made for a memorable excursion.

I don’t know another trail quite like it, which is why out of all the hikes you can do, we included this one on our list of top things to do in St. George Utah.

The trail itself is a bit hard to find. Do NOT follow the suggested trailhead on AllTrails. The trailhead used to not even be on Google Maps but it looks like there is now a pin in the correct spot – just search for Aspiration Trail Trailhead.

Free Things to Do in St. George Utah – Experience Local History & Culture

9. St. George Historic Downtown District

Give your kids a history lesson in the Historic Downtown District of St. George. Settled in the late 1800s by pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, this area is full of historic sites. Some of the prominent are the beautiful stark white St. George Temple, Brigham Young’s winter home, the St. George Tabernacle, Ancestor Square and Judd’s General store.

Our kids love the novelty ice cream at Judd’s and the old-fashioned sodas and candy. We always get superman flavor and then visit the splash pad, walk around the giant guitar sculpture or sit on the pioneer home porches.

Our ancestors happened to settle St. George so roaming around Ancestor Square is special to our family. Feel free to enjoy the Ancestor Square Farmer’s Market if you visit on a Saturday. The historical sites are all free but if you are okay spending a little on a cheap activity, check out the Children’s Museum on Main Street.

11. Visit the St. George Temple

The St. George Utah Temple holds a rich and fascinating history in the context of local and religious history. It was the first temple in Utah for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Construction of the temple began in 1871 and was completed in 1877. It was a monumental achievement given the challenging terrain and limited resources available to early pioneers in southern Utah. The temple’s unique design reflects the ingenuity and dedication of these pioneers.Today, the St. George Utah Temple stands as a testament to the enduring faith and dedication of the early pioneers who settled the area.

The architecture is stunning to see in person, especially with the stark white exterior against the nearby red rocks in the background. There is a visitor center with a large statue of Christ and interactive exhibits that my kids love. The visitor center is open to anyone and is a great place to learn about local history. Visiting the temple grounds with our kids is one of our favorite things to do in St. George Utah. We especially love walking around the beautiful grounds with all the palm trees and desert flowers.

Nearby eats: George’s Corner Restaurant

George’s Corner Restaurant is another favorite family tradition of ours. It’s located on St. George Boulevard and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For kids and adults, they have the best mac n cheese ever! Our trips to St. George are incomplete without a stop at George’s.

11. First Friday St. George Street Festival

On the first Friday of every month, St. George transforms into an outdoor music venue and arts festival with George Fest. Stroll the street and get unique items from vendors including southwestern jewelry and trinkets, toys and other fun desert-inspired novelty items. It used to be held on Main Street in the historic district but has since moved to Washington City.

Grab some treats and dance the night away with your kids. George Fest is for sure a night to remember! Entry to GeorgeFest is free – from there the cost depends on how much you buy from vendors.

12. See a Play at Tuacahn’s Outdoor Theater

Nestled amidst the breathtaking red rock canyons, this open-air amphitheater with its stunning natural backdrop is captivating. The towering red cliffs and clear night skies set the stage for an unforgettable evening of entertainment. The live performances are top-notch, whether it’s a Broadway musical, a concert, or a spectacular show. The acoustics are incredible, and the performers’ talent shines brilliantly under the starry night skies. So, if you find yourself in St. George, don’t miss the chance to experience the sheer magic of Tuacahn Theater!

13. Dinosaur Tracks

Searching for dinosaur tracks is one of the most unique things to do in St. George Utah. My kids thought it was a cool, real-life archeological adventure. And what kid doesn’t love dinosaurs? Fortunately, there are several places near St. George to look.

First up, we visited the Warner Valley Dinosaur Track Site. Trekking along the trail, we marveled at the well-preserved dinosaur tracks embedded in the rocks. The excitement in my kids’ eyes was contagious as we imagined the giants that once roamed this land. Next, there’s the Dinosaur Tracks Trail in the Red Reef National Recreation Area. A short, kid-friendly hike up the mountain to see some small dinosaur tracks.

And finally, we ventured to the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm. The site boasts an impressive array of tracks, including those from three-toed dinosaurs and massive sauropods. My kids had a blast spotting different track shapes and sizes.

Cheap Things to Do in St. George Utah – Go Swimming

One of the best things to do in St. George Utah is to go swimming. Let’s face it, St. George can get super hot, so sometimes we just want to cool off in the pool. Here are our favorite places to go swimming in St George:

14. Sand Hollow Aquatic Center

The name can be a little misleading because Sand Hollow Aquatic Center is nowhere near Sand Hollow State Park. It’s actually closer to Snow Canyon on the east side of St. George. This indoor pool offers endless fun with its water slides and lazy river.

Its impressive facilities include a 25m by 25 yd competition and diving pool alongside a 5,800 s.f. leisure pool. Families are in for a treat at the leisure pool, offering a gradual zero-depth entry, interactive water toys for kids, a playful water walk, and an exhilarating water slide.

Thrill-seekers can revel in the lap pool’s diving board, rock climbing wall, and numerous lap lanes. Beyond recreational splashing, the center offers Water Aerobics, Paddle-board Yoga, and Swim Lessons.

15. Washington City Community Center

Located in the town of Washington next to St. George, this is another great indoor pool for families to beat the heat. The Washington City Community Center is home to Southern Utah’s largest indoor aquatic center. Dive into an 8-lane, 25-yard competition pool, or bask in the pleasures of a sprawling 10,174 square foot beach entry leisure pool. Enjoy the lazy river, a 3-story hydro tube slide, play sets, a splash pad, and a huge 317-gallon dump bucket. Family fun abounds at this popular indoor pool.

16. Ivins Reservoir / Fire Lake Park

Ivins Reservoir, also known as Fire Lake Park, is a charming oasis tucked away in the scenic town of Ivins, Utah, just a stone’s throw from St. George. This is one of our favorite things to do in St. George Utah and the perfect place to cool off after a long hot day of hiking at Snow Canyon. This is more pond than lake, but the lack of motorized boats make it a great option for families to do a little kayaking, paddleboarding, or swimming. The best part – a great view of Snow Canyon’s magnificent red cliffs.

Cheap Things to Do in St. George Utah – National Parks

17. Zion National Park

Zion National Park is home to some of the best hikes in Southern Utah and one of the most visited national parks in the United States, with roughly 5 million people visiting each year. Fortunately, the park is huge and there are ways to avoid the crowds.

We love to visit Zion in the off-season, which is January-April, or whenever the shuttles aren’t running. There a ton of kid-friendly hikes that make for awesome family memories. Our favorite is Zion Canyon Overlook – great views plus a cool scenic drive through the Mt. Carmel Tunnel!

18. Kolob Canyon

Technically, Kolob Canyon. is also part of Zion National Park. But we’re giving it its own spot on the list because it’s completely removed from the main part of the park. The Kolob Canyon visitor center is just off I-15 in between Cedar City and St. George. Our little family discovered it several years ago when we had just one kid and we were driving a moving van to California. You can take a quick drive up the red asphalt roads and just enjoy the scenery or you can take a short 1.1 mile hike on the Timber Creek Overlook Trail, too. Either way, it’s one of the coolest things to do in St. George Utah because it’s a great way to enjoy the majesty of Zion without the crowds.

19. Red Cliffs National Recreation Area

There are lots of camping and hiking opportunities in Red Cliffs but the main attraction is Red Reef Trail. The ridge is called a reef because the steep cliffs block travel across land, like a coral reef impedes ships. This is a 2.2 mile out and back trail that takes you through some beautiful desert scenery to a small waterfall. It’s a really fun place to take the kids and scramble up the side of the waterfall, slide down the natural water slides, and jump off some mini cliffs into the water. To get there, you hike next to a stream the whole time through valley lined with some tall red cliffs. There are large big cactus bushes along the trail that reminded me of Moses and the burning bush.

Cheap Things to Do in St. George Utah – State Parks

20. Gunlock State Park + waterfalls

Nestled about 30 minutes just northwest of St. George proper, this place looks like something out of a movie like Robin Hood or Last of the Mohicans! Gunlock is a reservoir for fishing and water sports. It remains of the Best Lakes Near St George for Fun in the Sun. Fun fact: when the reservoir reaches capacity in the spring, it creates spectacular waterfalls. When our kids saw it they were stunned that something as awesome as Gunlock could be real!

A short walk and a hike and you’re standing in pools and falls flowing endlessly. The falls are seasonal and don’t flow every year, so keep an eye on the State website.

Also, If you have smaller kids, be careful to watch them as the falls run fast and the pools are deep enough to drown in. Finally, bring some non-slippery shoes or water socks as it can get a bit slick hiking on the wet red rock.

Nearby eats: Veyo Pies

Veyo Pies, as the name implies, is located in the town of Veyo, about a 25-minute drive north of St George. We hit took the scenic route on the way home from the falls to stop by for some delicious pie and it was well worth the detour!

21. Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon offers access to some of the most jaw dropping red rock scenery and nature’s playground. From kid-friendly hikes and slot canyons to bike trails and sand dunes, there is something to offer everyone in Snow Canyon including ancient petroglyphs and lava tube caves. Our favorite hikes are Hidden Pinyon and Jenny’s Canyon.

For extra fun, bring some sleds, sand boards and digging toys to the sand dunes. Also, if you’re willing to venture outside the park, about two miles north sits a family-friendly volcano hike called Cinder Cone Trail. If you want to cool off after a long hiking day, check out the nearby Ivins Reservoir at Fire Lake Park.

Nearby eats: Angelica’s Mexican Grill

22. Sand Hollow State Park

Topping the list of best things to do in St. George is, drumroll please… a beach in the desert! What kid doesn’t love the beach? Sand Hollow consistently snags the top spot for the Best Sandy Beaches in Utah. Our kids spend hours here with friends and family playing hands-up-stands-up in the sand, chasing lizards, building castles, cliff jumping, boating, paddleboarding and kayaking.

The water in the spring and summer hovers between 65 and 85 degrees so it is naturally a paradise for water play. Plus, the view of the red rocks and snow capped mountains against the turquoise water is spectacular. If you’re okay spending a little more than the entry fee, consider looking into activities offered at The Beach at Sand Hollow from ATVs to boat rentals. For other lakes in the other, click here to read about the Best Lakes Near St George for Fun in the Sun.

We hope you enjoyed this journey through our favorite things to do in St. George Utah and found some inspiration for your own family adventures. Thanks for reading and happy travels!

XOXO

Brittany and JJ

PS Our family is on a mission to experience the best our home state of Utah has to offer and help other families find affordable, kid-friendly adventures in the process. You can follow us on Instagram @theminivanbucketlist or download our free printable Utah Bucket List for the top 100 things to do in Utah.