St. George - Things to Do

[jman]

-i just realized...this might be in the wrong forum... sorry sombeech!


"St George is a convenient gateway to Zion National Park, and to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It is also within easy driving distance of Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument. The city makes a great base came for day trips to any of these areas, or a good starting point for national park excursions."


National Parks/Monuments from St. George, Utah
43 miles - Zion National Park
128 miles - Bryce Canyon National Park
145 miles - Grand Canyon North Rim
272 miles - Grand Canyon South Rim
80 miles - Cedar Breaks National Monument
150 miles - Lake Powell

-Zion National Park-Offical Website | Address: Zion National Park, PO Box 1099, Springdale 84767 | (435) 772-3256
Designated in 1919, Zion National Park is Utah's oldest national park. Zion canyon features soaring towers and monoliths that suggest a quiet grandeur. Zion is also known for its incredible slot canyons, including The Virgin River Narrows, which attract canyoneers from around the world. Hiking possibilities are endless. With nearly three million visitors per year, Zion is Utah's most heavily used park. Check out the Zion photo tour to see why you won't want to miss Zion National Park.[stolen from utah.gov]


-Bryce Canyon National Park-Offical Website | Address: Bryce Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon 84717 | (435) 834-5322
Thousands of delicately carved spires rise in brilliant color from the amphitheaters of Bryce Canyon National Park. Millions of years of wind, water and geologic mayhem have shaped and etched the pink cliffs at Bryce, which isn't actually a canyon but the eastern slope of the Paunsaguant Plateau. Be sure to take our Bryce Canyon National Park photo tour to catch a glimpse of the beauty of this area.

Your first view of Bryce Canyon is dramatic, as rows of pine trees veil the color and grandeur of the canyon until you reach the rim. Here the brilliant hues come alive - especially with the rising and setting of the sun.

Visitors may take a 37-mile round-trip drive to Bryce Canyon's most famous viewpoints, dizzying in scope, including Sunrise, Sunset, Rainbow, Yovimpa, and Inspiration Points.

Bryce Canyon National Park is named after Ebenezer Bryce, an early rancher who described it as "a helluva place to lose a cow." It was designated a national park in 1928. An interesting Indian legend describes why the rocks at Bryce have such amazing shapes. Read about it here.

Whether you stay at a nearby Bryce Canyon resort, in Bryce Canyon Lodge, or other local Bryce Canyon accommodations, you're sure to find something that will make your trip to Bryce National Park unforgettable.[stolen from utah.gov]


-Grand Canyon - North Rim-Offical Website | Address: No Address - contact Wayne County Travel Council | (435) 644-5923
The North Rim offers a serene and enthralling Grand Canyon experience. It is more remote and less developed than the South Rim, and so it attracts far fewer tourists. Many people think its viewpoints are the most spectacular, since they are located at a higher elevation.

The North Rim fits nicely into a multi-park tour that also includes Zion, Bryce and Lake Powell. It is a relatively short drive between those scenic destinations. Most tourists come into this area from Las Vegas. You can book multi-park tours from many vendors there.

Because of the high elevation, visitors with respiratory or heart problems may experience difficulties at the North Rim. If you have concerns, check with your doctor before visiting this area.

The North Rim forms the edge of the Kaibab Plateau, with elevation ranging from 8,000-8,800 feet above sea level. Access is via Hwy 67, through a majestic conifer forest and past scenic Jacob Lake. The drive is beautiful, even before you reach the national park. Your first stop should be at the visitor center where you can orient yourself and enjoy one of the most spectacular views in the world.

It's 40 miles from Jacob Lake to the North Rim visitor center.

The North Rim is officially open from mid-May through mid-October. Services include a lodge, dining room/snack bar, campground, gas station and general store with basic supplies. Depending on weather conditions, it may be possible to drive to the North Rim during the spring or fall, but no visitor services will be available. The lodge and campgrounds are usually full during the summer; reservations are needed and they should be booked as far in advance as possible.[stolen from utah.gov]


-Grand Canyon - South Rim-Offical Website | Address: No Address - contact Wayne County Travel Council | (435) 644-5923
The South Rim is the most popular destination for tourists visiting Grand Canyon. It is open year-round, with visitor services and facilities open every day of the year.

Because this area is so popular, you need to reserve accommodations and guide services well in advance of your trip. Lodging facilities and campgrounds are usually booked solid from late spring through early fall. Most group tours to Grand Canyon's South Rim original in Las Vegas. The fill up fast and so you need to book early.

Elevations here average about 7,000 feet above sea level, and that can be a concern for people with respiratory or heart ailments. Because of the high altitude, summer temperatures on the rim are not usually oppressive. However, if you hike down into the canyon temperatures can be very hot. (On the river, it may be above 100 F several days in a row).

Winter is usually a pleasant time to visit the South Rim. The area receives occasional snow but crews are able to keep facilities open most of the time. Hiking can be enjoyable during mild periods. However, large storms can temporarily close roads and trails. Trails are extremely hazardous when icy.

A free shuttle service operates at the South Rim, providing convenient transportation around Grand Canyon Village and to popular viewpoints and trailheads. From March 1 to November 30, Hermit Road and the road out to Yaki Point/South Kaibab are closed to private automobiles. You will need to ride a shuttle bus to access those destinations. (Vehicles with accessibility permits are allowed to operate on these roads.)[stolen from utah.gov]


-Cedar Breaks National Monument-Offical Website | Address: Cedar Breaks N.M. , 2390 W Hwy 56, #11, Cedar City 84720 | (435) 586-9451
Cedar Breaks resembles a miniature Bryce Canyon. Some visitors say its brilliant colors even surpass Bryce. The Indians called Cedar Breaks the "Circle of Painted Cliffs." Situated at an elevation of 10,000 feet, Cedar Breaks is shaped like a giant coliseum dropping 2,000 feet to its floor. Millions of years of uplift and erosion have carved this huge amphitheater. Deep inside the coliseum are stone spires, columns, arches, pinnacles, and intricate canyons in varying shades of red, yellow and purple. The bristlecone pine, one of the world's oldest trees, grows in the area and can be found along the Spectra Point Trail. The Dixie National Forest surrounds Cedar Breaks providing lush alpine meadows clustered with ponderosa pines and quaking aspens. During the summer months, the wildflower display is spectacular.

Recreational activities at Cedar Breaks include sightseeing, photography, hiking, nature study, picnicking and camping. Two mile/3.2 kilometer trails, the Alpine Pond trail and the Spectra Point Trail, are accessible from the road. The trails are easy walks but can be strenuous for the elderly, persons with respiratory problems and those who are not in good physical condition because of the park's high elevation (10,000 feet/3048 meters). The monument is a premier cross-country skiing and snowmobiling destination in the winter with access from Brian Head Resort.

The monument is 23 miles east of Cedar City and three miles south of Brian Head Resort. Entrance fees are $3 per individual. Cedar Breaks National Monument is open from late May to mid-October. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the visitor center, open mid-June to mid-September, and learn how to visit the monument with minimum impact to the fragile desert environment. Services and roads are usually closed for the winter, due to heavy snow. Because of the high elevation, summer day-time temperatures are cool, 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit/15.5-21 degrees Celsius. Afternoon and evening thunderstorms are common.[stolen from utah.gov]



-Lake Powell-Offical Website | Address: No Address - except contact Wayne County Travel Council | (435) 644-5033
Lake Powell, in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is one of the world's great places for houseboating! The 186-mile long lake offers sandy beaches, cool blue water, and exceptional red-rock scenery. It is excellent for boating, skiing, kayaking and fishing. Boat or hike to Rainbow Bridge, or explore any of its many canyons or sand dunes. With a shoreline longer than the whole western coast of the continental United States, Lake Powell offers adventure for everyone. Whether you enter from Utah's marinas, or from Page, Arizona, Lake Powell awaits. Try something different this summer; try a house boat vacation!

Lake Powell Houseboat rentals are available through Aramark at Wahweap, Bullfrog and Halls Crossing marinas and Forever Houseboats at Antelope Point. The only other way to enjoy a houseboat vacation on Lake Powell is to a purchase a multi-owner ownership.[stolen from utah.gov]





State Parks near St. George:
11 miles -Snow Canyon State Park
16 miles -Sand Hollow State Park
12 miles -Quail Creek State Park
15 miles -Gunlock State Park


-Snow Canyon State Park-Offical Website | Address: Snow Canyon S.P. P.O. Box 140 Santa Clara, Utah 84765-0140 | (435) 628-2255
Red Navajo sandstone, capped by an overlay of black lava rock, makes photography, hiking, biking and camping in Snow Canyon State Park a double treat. Early spring and fall use of the park is especially appealing due to southern Utah's moderate winter climate. Two recent volcanic cones are found near the head of the canyon.

This strikingly colorful canyon is 11 miles northwest of St. George. Facilities include a 35-unit campground, modern rest rooms, hot showers, electric hookups, sewage disposal station, a covered group-use pavilion and overflow campground. [stolen from utah.gov]

-Sand Hollow State Park-Offical Website | Address: Sand Hollow S.P. 4405 West 3600 South Hurricane, UT 84737 | (435) 680-0715
Sand Mountain, located between St. George and Hurricane, has long been a popular playground for people with dune buggies, dirt bikes and 4-wheelers. Now, the sparkling water of a new reservoir laps at its base, and modern campgrounds and picnic areas have been developed adjacent to the beaches. The reservoir, which is called Sand Hollow, and much of Sand Mountain have been designated Utah's newest state park.

With its warm, blue waters and red sandstone landscape, Sand Hollow has become one of Utah's most popular parks. Boat and fish on Sand Hollow Reservoir, explore and ride the dunes of Sand Mountain on an off-highway vehicle, then RV or tent camp in the new campground. The reservoir offers good populations of bass and bluegill. [stolen from utah.gov]

-Quail Creek State Park-Offical Website | Address: Quail Creek S.P. P.O. Box 1943 St. George, Utah 84770-1943 | (435) 879-2378
Quail Creek State Park provides excellent year-round camping, picnicking, boating, and trout and bass fishing in sunny southwest Utah. The park is three miles east of the Interstate 15 Hurricane exit on State Route 9. Facilities include 23 campsites, modern rest rooms, fish cleaning station and two covered group-use pavilions.[stolen from utah.gov]

-Gunlock State Park-Offical Website | Address: Gunlock State Park P.O. Box 140 Santa Clara, Utah 84765-0140 | (435) 628-2255
In scenic red rock country, 15 miles northwest of sunny St. George lies the 240-acre Gunlock State Park & Reservoir where year-round boating, water sports and quality fishing for bass and catfish attract visitors. Facilities include boat launching ramp and pit privies.[stolen from utah.gov]


Neighboorhood Parks in St. George:
-1100 East Park
-2450 East Park
-Black Hill View Park
-Blake Memorial Park
-Bloomington Hills N. Park
-Bloomington Hills Park
-Bluff Street Park
-Brooks Nature Park
-Christensen Park
-College Park (1000 East)
-Cox Park
-Dixie Downs Park
-Larkspur Park
-Mathis Park
-Middleton Park
-Petroglyph Park
-Shadow Mountain Park
-Slick Rock Park
-Springs Park
-Sunset Park

Community Parks in St. George:
-Bloomington Park
-Canyons Complex
-Centennial Park
-The Fields Phase I
-Hidden Valley Park (really cool for young kids)
-J.C. Snow Park
-Pioneer Park
-Royal Oaks Park
-Tonaquint Park
-Town Square Park
-Vernon Worthen Park

Golfing in St. George:
-Coral Canyon (Public)
-Entrada (Private)
-SunRiver (Public)
-Bloomington Country Club (Private)
-The Ledges (Public)
-Sunbrook (Public)
-The St. George Golf Club (Public)
-Southgate (Public)
-Sky Mountain (Public)
-Green Springs (Public)
-Dixie Red Hills (Public)

Outdoor Excursions:
-Arizona Strip
-AZ Strip - Toroweap (best view of the Grand Canyon)
-AZ Strip - Ice Caves
-AZ Strip - School House near Wolf Hole
-Toquerville Falls (Toquerville)
-Gunlock State Park Falls (Gunlock)
-Bloomington Cave (Bloomington)
-Dinosaur Tracks (Warner Valley)
-Fort Pierce (Warner Valley)
-Snow Canyon Lava Tubes (Snow Canyon)
-"Little Narrows w/birth canal" / Pioneer Park / "Dixie Rocks"
-Cougar Cliffs (Rappelling Site)
-Chuckawalla (Climbing site)
-Desert Reserve
-Elephant Arch
-.... Arch
-Harmon Creek Guard Shack/Browse Lookout (Sequoia Tree)
-Red Cliffs Recreation Site
-LaVerkin Cracks
-Kanarraville Falls
-Baker Reservoir
-Petroglyph Sites
-Enterprise Reservoir
-Enterprise tunnel (100ft+) near Enterprise Reservoir

Historic Sites near St. George
-St. George LDS Temple
-St. George LDS Tabernacle
-Brigham Young Winter Home
-Jacob Hamblin Home
-Ancestor Square
-Mountain Meadows Site
-Grafton Ghost Town
-Silver Reef Ghost Town
-Pine Valley LDS Church

Swimholes near St. George:
-Laverkin Creek
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Hotsprings near St. George:
-Tempehwa (in Hurricane - private - closed temporarily)
-Veyo Hot Springs (private - open)
-a few more to list...

Official Byways (the "scenic route")
-Zion Park Byway
-Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway

Restaurants in Washington County:
-Wagon Wheel Diner
-I.H.O.P.
-In N Out Burger
-Bishops
-Port of Subs
-Riverwalk Grill
-Sullivan's Rococo Inn & Steakhouse
-Capriotti's
-Chinese Gourmet
-Ruby River Steak House
-Olive Garden
-Steak-Out
-Golden Corral
-China Palace
-Gimme Sum Asian Grill
-Pizza Factory
-Benja's Thai & Sushi
-Fairway Grill
-Rickshaw
-Chuck-A-Rama
-Sullivan's Rococo Steak House
-Fazoli's Italian Restaurant
-Daylight Donuts of St George
-Inta Juice
-Bear Paw Coffee Co
-Parrothead Island Broiler
-Albertos Mexican Food
-Rocky Mountain Seafood Company
-Pancho & Lefty's Mexican Restaurant
-Panda Garden
-Painted Pony Restaurant
-Tony Roma's A Place for Ribs
-Scoops Ice Cream
-Ernesto's Jr.'s Mexican e
-Phatz
-Vior's Italian Bakery & Deli
-Panama Grill
-Trousseau Tea Room
-Charlie's Supreme Malts
-Panda Express
-The Palms Restaurant
-Gun Barrel Steak & Game House
-Pizza Factory Express
-Basila's Cafe
-The Palms Restaurant
-Iggy's Sports Grill
-Vior's Italian Bakery & Deli
-Pasta Factory
-Schnagles Bagels
-Wingers of St George
-Village Inn
-Claim Jumper Steak House
-Mandarin Buffet
-Ruby Tuesday
-Gonzo's Grill
-Painted Pony Restaurant
-Cafe Rio Mexican Grill
-Mongolian BBQ
-J B's Restaurant
-Panda Express
-Tom's Delicatessen Sandwiches
-New York Burrito
-Sharky's Mexican
-Frostop Drive In
-Red Lobster
-Samurai 21
-Denny's Restaurant
-Bajio
-Paula's Cazuela Mexican Las Palmeras Restaurant
-Pier 49 San Francisco Sour Dough Pizza
-Don Jose Mexican Restaurant
-Don Pedro's Family
-Irmita's Mexican
-Quiznos Subs
-Pizza Hut
-Sullivan's Rococo Steak House
-Chili's Grill & Bar
-Famous Dave's Barbecue

Hotels in St. George Area:
-Ambassador Inn
-Comfort Suites
-Hampton Inn
-Comfort Inn
-Inn at Entrada
-Hilton Garden Inn
-Green Valley Resort & Spa
-Courtyard by Marriott
-Luxurious Sleep Packages
-Green Gate Village Historic Inn
-America's Best Value Inn St. George
-Point Vista Condos
-Lava Falls at Entrada
-St. George Resort Rentals
-Resort Reservations of St. George
-Green Valley Resort Vacation Rentals
-Coronada Inn Rodeway Inn
-Best Western Abbey Inn
-Best Western Travel Inn
-Seven Wives Inn Bed & Breakfast
-Best Western Coral Hills Econo Lodge
-MARRIOTT - TownePlace Suites
-Ramada Inn fo
-Economy Inn
-Crystal Inn
-Holiday Inn
-La Quinta Inn & Suites -
-St. George Vacation Rentals
-Super 8
-Budget Inn & Suites
-Days Inn -
-SunRiver Vacation Homes
-St George Corporate Housing
-Country Inn & Suites
-Quality Inn
-Howard Johnson Inn

Theaters in St. George Area:
-Pine View Stadium 10 - St. George
-St. George Cinema 6 - St. George
-St. George Flood Street 4 - St. George
-St. George Stadium 8 - St. George
-Washington Redcliff Cinema - St. George

[Gathered from utah.com]


This is just a list so far of what to do in St. George - but tonight I'm going to finish editing the rest (adding the address and phone numbers, giving each one a synopis, add links and websites, etc.) - AND of course - how to get there!

Also, feel free to add things! Maybe - one day all of this will be stickied and EVERYONE will know what do to there and what to expect.

[jman]

i wish I could edit and format all of this, like in Word 2007 or whatnot. It would be so much easier to add pictures and especially formating the text so it looks more appealing than this...

but as you see there is a plethora of things I have given for you to explore - but tomorrow, I will finish putting the addresses on the "Neighboorhood Parks" and "Community Parks" and put on all the directions to "Outdoor Excursions". Last of all will be the addresses to the restaurants in town - or which would be better, is to bring up a Google Maps page, with ONLY the restaruants listed below, but I have no idea how to do that.... :(