Few places in the country鈥攐r the world鈥攃an hold a candle to Utah鈥檚 bounty of wild geography and epic natural playgrounds. And within the Beehive State, it鈥檚 hard to beat the awe-inspiring dreamscape that is Zion National Park. But you knew that already. What you might not know is that , the region surrounding the iconic park, is similarly blessed and even more ripe for adventure. Take, often referred to as “Mini Zion,”聽for example: you can hike it, bike it, climb it, rappel it, SUP it, ogle it. Whatever your goal, here鈥檚 how to adventure in the best corner of red-rock country.
Mountain Bike a Mesa-Top Slickrock Playground
Not only is Utah鈥檚 sandstone slickrock gorgeous, but it comes with a bonus: the kind of unbelievable friction that makes you a better mountain biker. In Greater Zion, the doesn鈥檛 get better than on Gooseberry Mesa, where the renowned 13.1-mile Big Loop gains and loses about 500 feet, mostly in short spurts up and over the continuously wavelike sandstone. It鈥檚 best suited for intermediate or better riders聽(a stint on the Practice Trail will tell you how you fit in) but the techy stretches are short and the views of Zion National Park and the Virgin River Valley are well worth the effort.
If even more slickrock聽riding is what you crave, set your GPS for , a 5.7-mile loop near St. George with a decidedly newer-school approach to the area's sandstone bounty. You'll question the trail builder's choice in name during the聽nearly聽uninterrupted鈥攁nd聽at times,聽very technical鈥攃limb聽but it will all make sense when you point down the masterfully routed descent, which ekes every drop of available flow out of聽the seemingly momentum-killing landscape.聽
Climb Red Rock Walls at Lambs Knoll
Just west of Zion National Park at , you鈥檒l find nicely featured sandstone rising in a maze of canyons and spires, few crowds, and plenty of routes to keep you busy. The guides from Red Desert 国产吃瓜黑料 sing the praises of what locals call Climbing Corridor, where routes sidle up both sides of a narrow slot canyon. Climbing a desert tower is a Utah rite of passage, and a great one here is called Up and Over鈥攖wo 5.7ish pitches up, then four rappels down into a slot canyon for the walk-out.
Go Canyoneering in Yankee Doodle Canyon
The closest to St. George of all Zion-area 聽sites is Yankee Doodle, which has everything you want in a half-day adventure. The first rappel is 30 feet, then you descend another 80 en route to many more drops in the 20-foot range. It鈥檚 a great venue for a Canyoneering 101 tutorial (Paragon 国产吃瓜黑料s guides the canyon), with its greatest-hits array of walks, downclimbs, stemming, and, yes, frigid sloshes through icy water, all surrounded by the so-smooth beauty of the red-tan sandstone.
Pilot an ATV at Sand Mountain OHV Area
Not just sand dunes. Red sand dunes, 6,000 acres of them, in the 16,000-acre ATV playground that is . 鈥淚t鈥檚 not a pony ride,鈥 though, cautions a guide with local operator . In other words, you get to exercise some newfound skills whether you choose to pilot a single, side-by-side, or four-seater as you weave your way up and over dunes, navigate around rococo sandstone formations, and throttle your way up to three-state views. All of the company鈥檚 veteran guides are as passionate about the flora, fauna (dog-size jackrabbits!), history, and geology as they are their powerful fat-tired rigs. So expect some elucidation breaks in the course of a half-day trip that can also include an optional thrill鈥攁 zipline that drops more than 600 feet into a remote box canyon.
Hike Through Zion's Secluded Corner
Way northwest of Zion鈥檚 exceedingly popular namesake canyon are the聽, where you鈥檒l find some of the most stunning and secluded viewpoints in the park. From one of those viewpoints, Lee Pass, you can make the 14-mile round-trip hike across a high, sage-dotted plateau that gently drops to La Verkin Creek. This may be the Zion you were dreaming about鈥攂ig horizons, solitude, a verdant creek鈥攂ut the highlight lies ahead. From the creek, a half-mile side trail leads to Kolob Arch, spanning 287 feet, among the largest natural arches in the world.
Have a Multisport Day at Quail Creek State Park
Water in the desert always adds a dash of magic, and at it also adds the chance to do some red-rock exploring by SUP or kayak. Stop by Dig Paddlesports, located right on the shore of the park鈥檚 sparkling 680-acre reservoir, for rentals and lessons. On dry land, twisty singletrack trails wind between the lake and nearby sandstone cliffs for challenging but not death-defying mountain-bike rides or casual hikes. Then there鈥檚 no doubt where to jump in to wash off the trail dust.
Qualify for Kona or Take In the Ironman Action
Even the swim is a red-rock wonder in the , in and around St. George on May 2, 2020. The full-distance Kona qualifier commences in the impossibly blue Sand Hollow Reservoir before a 112-mile bike jaunt to and through St. George, where the marathon finale takes place. 鈥淭he landscape is epic, incredibly challenging, and the town is always excited to have us there,鈥 says Ben Hoffman, who won the last full IRONMAN held in St. George. To Hoffman鈥檚 last point, a jaw-dropping course also makes for premium spectating. So grab your camp chairs, head for basically any part of the course, and unwind between your own adventures by cheering on the competitors.
To learn more about Greater Zion and start planning your next trip, visit