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    Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

    4.3 (20 reviews)

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    Nycole R.

    About twenty years ago, I went with a group of friends from high school hiking through this reserve. For years, I had fond memories of it and how beautiful it was. Then, this year, I had the opportunity to return and see it again with my family. Not much had changed, of course, except that the water that I'd remembered was dried up. But it looks like it may have seen water earlier in the year. Go in the spring if you want to see the pools fill up. There are a few trails-mostly marked, although there are some areas where it can be easy to wander off the marked trail. There are cool rock formations that invite you to climb on them. Be careful-some of that sandstone can get slick. Be sure to bring some water with you-the sun can beat down pretty hard, especially in the afternoon. Also, if you're visiting on a weekend or holiday, come early. The parking area fills up quickly. And bring $5 in cash to pay the entrance fee via envelope. There's no attendant, so it's on your honor. I wouldn't chance it, if you're feeling like being a jerk. I saw some government trucks driving around.

    Alina S.

    I recommend downloading the All Trails app to get familiar with the trails, which is where I heard about Gecko Trail. We started on the Gecko trail, it is an in-and-out trail located behind a neighborhood so no parking fee and little to no crowds. Trail was easy for our kids and it was a perfect day to go outside. Temperature mid 50s at the end March. Popular area for mountain bikers too. Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is not to be missed during your visit!

    Ricky R.

    I had a lot of fun. We came pretty early. Hit a few trails. I am coming from Washington and it's a completely different experience. The one thing that is the same is the crowds. Just pretty busy like all hikes. It was beautiful for sure. The dinosaur stuff was pretty cool. The sites were lovely. I would love to spend a few days camping here. Drink all night hike all day.

    Paul P.

    Yelp seems to not want to listen that the address to this location is the Visitor Center. It's 15-20 minutes away from the actual park and campground. I have sent them this detail 3 times, and they keep defaulting to addresses in the middle of the city. That being said, there is a hiking area and campground 15-20 minutes north off I-15. I posted a picture and URL of the map to the entry. There are newly paved single lane roads into the camp with overnight and day use parking. This is a fee use area and not free. I went hiking at this location based on the reviews and pictures with running water. This location is desolate and there was no running water, if there is ever running water its likely only spring or fall. There is very little maintenance of the trails, markers, or view areas. You are really on your own and good luck. I would not return to this location to go hiking and would prefer Mt Charleston or Red Rock which seem to be much better maintained in the least they are closer and more suitable for hiking on a day trip.

    Steffi L.

    Love, love, LOVE this place!!!! We did a quick stop on the way from St. George to LA, and honestly, it's about as good of a nature getaway as you can get off of i15. Only $5 to enter, and there are pretty picnic areas and beautiful red rock you can take in at a fairly easy and quick pace, without having to take a huge dip into your drive time. Highly recommend -- we will be back to try other trails.

    Dino Track
    Morgan H.

    Came into the park just off Washington Parkway & I-15. Good sized parking lot that on weekends is always full to bursting. Trail starts out on a access road as you head north. We continued about 3/4 of a mile and spit off to the west towards a rocky ridge. We found a trail that ran to the south that was moving in and out of the small canyons. We saw a few other hikers and even encountered a horse back rider. Exposed with no shade so bring water for everyone. Along the trail we saw a few signs that told us of Dino tracks. As we kept going we weren't sure where they were. As we came to the bottom of a dry river wash we headed up to the side and that's were we found the tracks. They are great and easy to see. Sand obscures them, but a small broom/brush left by someone helped so we took some pics. To make it back to the car we walked down a service road from a water tower to main paved road. Then about 3/4 a mile to car parking. So many trails you could spend lots of romaine here exploring. Saw hawks, ravens and lots of lizards. Alas no desert tortoise!

    Shelby W.

    Super fun and easy family hike! it was only $5 to park ($15 if you camp)! This whole area was just breathtakingly beautiful! I was worried it might be difficult to hike bc it's red cliffs but it was super easy and super fun for everyone! It rained a little while we were there but we were able to take cover under some of the rock. It was a pretty to see. I would definitely recommend hiking here!

    Nicole D.

    This was a very pretty camp site. It was a smaller campground and seemed a little off the beaten path, which is kind of nice. It was close to the highway yet still quiet. I don't believe there were showers here, but the pretty red rocks make up for it. The camp site was very nice and included a covered patio and picnic table which was crucial due to the thunderstorm that passed through. Even in the pouring rain, we were able to cook and eat our dinner thanks to the covered area. Our camp site was $15, pay via envelope, and it was a quick drive to Zion the following morning.

    Nice park full of red rocks. Lots of hiking trails to choose from that vary in difficulty. It's a dog friendly park also. But for a black cockapoo there isn't much shade while hiking and it was close to 90" on the day we were there. Didn't realize how large an area the park encompassed until I actually looked at a map of the area. Evidently a good place to look for desert tortoises too. Morris and I decided that on our next visit here we are going to look for Gila Monsters.

    pyramid shaped sandstone

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    6 years ago

    Nice, beautiful, and peaceful nature. I have young children so we only did a quick walk on the trail. It was amazing and my kids loved it.

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Super fun, quick hike. The scenery is awesome and if you go in the spring you can cool off in the water. Good for kids too.

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Best, little known place in Washington County to take the kids for a hike!

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    And bring $5 in cash to pay the entrance fee via envelope.

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    Cottonwood Cove Park - Fun stuff to play on @ Cottonwood Cove Park - 1/13/16

    Cottonwood Cove Park

    5.0(2 reviews)
    2.2 mi

    I'm so glad I came across this park! There are a couple of other parks in town that I usually stop…read moreat with my dog, but as I was driving by, I noticed this park and my dog needed a potty break, so I pulled into the parking lot and got out. The park looked beautiful from the start and hearing the water from the nearby creek that goes through some of the 7 acre park was very relaxing and peaceful. There are no swings in this park more than likely because they have been taken out of most parks due to safety concerns. The closest thing you will find to a swing at this park are the swinging benches and I recommend relaxing in one near the creek like I did because it was so nice! This park is located next to the Santa Clara River and the water flowing through the creek is water from the river. There was a flood in 2005 and there are plaques I saw that mentioned some of the homes right near the river across from this park that were flooded and the plaques tell some of the story that you might want to stop and read and then take a look around at the area to better understand with a visual experience some of what happened. The playground is very interesting. Hubby and I had a fun time trying to figure out what the heck most of it was. I can't imagine they would take the swings and other playground equipment out to start putting this type of stuff in, but it's happening and I am seeing it at more and more parks. The play structures I saw and played on were extremely fun and also extremely dangerous. You will have the type of kids who don't let kids play in a place like this and will give a 1 or 2 star rating because the playground equipment is dangerous, but not me. I rather let my kids have fun memories of playing at the park and if they break an arm or leg well that's just what happens and I will not sue the park or city because it's just apart of being a kid. The Santa Clara River Regional Trail goes through the park and the path for it is hard to miss and well maintained. There are 2 shaded picnic areas that are good sized with picnic tables and BBQ grills. There are bathrooms and they were clean, a volleyball court and horseshoe pits. This park offers something for the whole family.

    St George has some great parks! Shady, at least in parts, with some cool equipment. My kids all…read morefound something fun to do (age 3-11). Less crowded on the days we visited, than the larger Thunder Junction down the road. Odd, though, no drinking fountains...

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    Cottonwood Cove Park
    Cottonwood Cove Park - They have a good variety of play structures here @ Cottonwood Cove Park - 1/13/16

    They have a good variety of play structures here @ Cottonwood Cove Park - 1/13/16

    Cottonwood Cove Park

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    Vernon Worthen Park

    Vernon Worthen Park

    4.3(8 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    A million years ago when I was in high school, I broke up with my boyfriend at this park. It was a…read moresad day, but I've had many great memories there since then (and even made amends with the boyfriend and we are on good terms now). Anyway, this park has been around forever and whether your memories are of the lush, green grassy areas or the adjacent recreational equipment, you probably have a story of your own. Hopefully there are more happy memories than sad ones like mine. Because it's centrally located and a large size, there are lots of markets or community events that are held here. There is a parking lot nearby as well as ample street parking. It's a great space to bring the St. George and surrounding community together.

    At this park weekly St. George farmers market is in full swing. There are food trucks too. You can…read moreorder your food in the market grounds too. Then there is a pavilion you can go eat under at a picnic table or take a huge blanket to enjoy your food on the grass close to the park while the children play. There is a farmer market every Saturday. The hours for summer are 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (noon) MDT until October. Winter hours are from November to April 10 am - 2 pm. Closed the last 2 weeks of December and all of January for winter break. This park is huge, plenty of space for big or small families to congregate too. Area to play pickle ball, run, shade to relax, walk with your fur baby on a leash, walk along the pathway with your signing other (you get the idea), safe enough to walk by yourself too and plenty of space to set up family outdoor games. Bathrooms, drinking fountains, and plenty of parking. Parking, little side rant. If you are parking on a Saturday when the area is busy, then it sucks finding a spot. The vehicles start parking at entrances/exits, then it turns into a one-way battle of who is turning around. In my opinion, parking should not be allowed in those narrow entrances/exits. Otherwise, it is FUN, FUN, FUN... and next door to rodeo grounds, too.

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    Vernon Worthen Park
    Vernon Worthen Park
    Vernon Worthen Park - Gazebo @ Vernon Worthen Park - 1/8/15

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    Gazebo @ Vernon Worthen Park - 1/8/15

    Red Cliffs Desert Reserve - hiking - Updated May 2026

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