Tag: Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

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.

Red sandstone mountains are anything but rare in southwest Utah. But how often do you get to explore them up close? There is one close by, Sandstone Mountain, where the trail circles the base and crosses over the mountain. My wife, Deb, and I decided that’s the hike for us. We did not do the entire hike, it was strenuous. But the views were worth the effort.

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.

This merged out and back trail includes beautiful red rock formations, some distant arches, great views, and wildlife sighting opportunities.

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...

Three separate rescues in Washington County over two days highlight the dangers of dehydration on Southern Utah trails. A total of 16 hikers ran out of water and required emergency help.

Hiking Southern Utah: White Reef/Leeds Reef Loop Trail in Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is a natural setting with fantastic views about 10 miles from St. George.

If you want a hike that isn’t crowded and the latter part is spectacular, give Bone Wash Trail a try.

The hike to Johnson Canyon is a short one that packs a lot of features into its one-mile length. Lava flows, a deep gorge, towering sandstone cliffs, a lush spring, a massive arch, and a box canyon all make for a spectacular hike that even the littlest legs can accomplish.

Hiking Southern Utah: Elephant Arch is a spectacular red-rock arch that requires considerable effort to reach but is well worth it.