Part of the thrill of traveling for me is learning about places I haven’t been to, yet. With 300 days of sunshine yearly, four state parks, a national park, unlimited opportunities for adventure, and a destination for all seasons, St. George, Utah has my full attention, and I am excited to add it to my bucket list.

While the list of things to do, see, and experience in and around St. George could fill a canyon, here are 15 reasons why I think you should add St. George to your bucket list.

1) Zion National Park

Utah’s first national park, Zion is just 42 miles from St. George, and easily accessible all year long. Zion is a sweeping canyon, nature’s necklace, with rocks, sky, and grass in brilliant jewel tones of ruby, sapphire, and emerald. It is absolutely stunning. Hike with the family, camp overnight, rock climb and rappel, bike, backpack or simply stroll along a scenic river and take it all in.

2) Snow Canyon State Park

7,400 acres of unique geologic features make Snow Canyon a photographer’s dream. Bold, colorful and historied, there are 38 miles of hiking trails, over 15 miles of equestrian trails and a three-mile paved walking/biking trail. If you’ve seen the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, then you already have gotten a glimpse of Snow Canyon. It was filmed here.

3) Quail Creek State Park

Quail Creek has some of the warmest waters in the state. Camp, fish, rent a kayak, stand up paddleboard or drift effortlessly on a water carpet, a floating oasis.

4) Sand Hollow State Park

Sand Hollow is one of Utah’s most visited state parks. It’s no wonder why with no shortage of activity from boating to biking, four wheeling on sand dunes, horseback riding, wakeboarding, fishing, diving and swimming on the red sand beach.

5) Gunlock State Park and Reservoir

Tranquil waters in the Gunlock Reservoir offer ideal conditions for boating, swimming, picnicking on the beach or fishing for bass and catfish. With its mild winter climate, Gunlock State Park is a perfect year-round destination.

6) Hiking

Mountains, canyons, buttes, and gorges make for a plethora of hiking choices. The incredible terrain includes volcanic residue, red petrified sand hills, sheer cliffs, creeks and waterfalls with photo ops at every turn.

7) Cycling

The streets in St. George are bike friendly. There are many trails, challenging climbs and of course, epic views. Cycling is renowned in these parts and many of the pros come here to train.

8) Canyoneering

This is for the true adventurer. Through route finding, rappelling, problem-solving, swimming, and hiking you explore steep, narrow canyons that were created by the erosive forces of rivers, wind, and streams.

9) Zipline

Hike, rock scramble, and ladder climb as you connect the four traverses of the Mojave Canyon Zip Line Tour. Each 600’ traverse takes you 100’ above the canyon, for a total zip distance of 2400’.

10) Sand Hollow State Park   

This is the perfect destination to try rock-climbing for the first time. There are local companies that offer climbing on rock and ice surfaces where you can explore extraordinary rock canyons, slot canyons or awe-inspiring mountain crags in the backcountry.

11) Golf

There are 10 courses within a 40-mile radius of St. George, nestled among the red rocks, intriguing terrain with stunning views and challenging courses.

12) Water Sports

If you love water sports the opportunities are endless. Jet ski, boat, float, dive, kayak, wake or paddleboard, fishing or simply relax on the shore.

13) Art

There is no shortage of art in St. George. You’ll find inspiration at the more than a dozen Art Galleries, the St. George Art Museum, the St. George Street Art Festival, or Kayenta Arts Foundation’s annual Street Painting Festival.

14) Entertainment

Watch Broadway caliber shows; attend concerts and events in the 2,000-seat Tuacahn outdoor amphitheater in the heart of the red rock canyon. Stroll through the Tuacahn Saturday Market for local artwork, crafts, food, and entertainment. Visit the Zion Human History Museum, the North American Wildlife Museum, or the Dinosaur Discovery Site.

15) Zen

No trip of mine would be complete without finding my Zen. There are several destination spas in St. George and Zion National Park. Luxury accommodations, healthy choices, spa treatments and programs designed for life-enhancing changes are the perfect compliment to the natural beauty that surrounds them.

I can’t wait to check St. George, Utah off my bucket list, a small town feel with big city amenities.

Content Produced in Partnership with Visit St. George and Travel Mindset