Tag: desert hiking

Yearning for a bit off the beaten path adventure near the Utah-Nevada border in an idyllic southwest desert setting featuring a natural oasis, Joshua Tree forest, great mountain views, biological diversity, and the Beaver Dam Wash? If yes, then you are a prime candidate for an outing to the 600 acre Lytle Nature Preserve.

One of the best things about living in the St. George area is that you can take a short drive and be in the wilderness. We, my wife Deb and I, needed an adventure close to home. Although we have been steady hikers in the St. George area for 17 years, we never hiked T-Bone Trail in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. It’s a moderately strenuous hike beginning in a barren landscape and ending in with the sandstone formations in Pioneer Park—let’s go.

Did you know there is an history steeped, easy, short hike with good views surrounded by urban St. George? There is, Temple Quarry Trail. It is a perfect mid-winter hike—in the sun and only 2.4 miles long round trip, not long enough to freeze even if it is a bit cold.

This hike is a bit unusual for the southwest desert, much of it is hiking through a shaded riparian area of cottonwoods and willows alongside Quail Creek. It also features magnificent views of the red sandstone mountains and cliffs to the north and west.

Need an off the beaten path outdoor adventure, where you will probably not see another person (we only met one other hiker on the trail), featuring a Joshua Tree forest, spectacular mountain views, and the impressive Cedar Pocket Wash narrows?

If you like slogging through loose sand for a good workout, Sand Hill Trail is for you. Along with the workout are some spectacular views to the north of canyons...

This easy hike, much of it alongside or on top of (take your pick) a flood control berm protecting Ivins community to the south, features spectacular views of sandstone cliffs and Red Mountain to the north.

Join a guided ranger hike into Johnson Canyon at Snow Canyon State Park on May 30. This seasonal area offers rare access to striking desert scenery and ecological insights.