St. George is a popular destination for adventurers! We have moderate year-round weather, golf courses galore and fantastic resorts and majestic red-rock scenery. People of all ages can can enjoy exploring the vast outdoor playground in and around St. George. So bring the kids and get ready for some fun!
Zion National Park
One of the biggest attractions of the St. George region is Zion National Park, which is located about 40 miles northeast of the city. The park is one of the most popular in the United States and offers adventures that range from mild strolls and tours to heart-racing, adrenaline-fueled jaunts. For the former, ride the shuttle around the park to hear about the history and natural attractions, or walk along the Pa'rus Trail, a paved path that provides access to park views without the work and danger of more rustic trails.
Mountain Biking
Though not as well-known nationally as Moab, St. George is a mountain bike destination of similar caliber. Trails like Gooseberry Mesa and the J.E.M Trail have earned the city and surrounding region a reputation as a rising mountain biking capital. Technical trails like Gooseberry may be a little much for inexperienced children, but St. George does have some good beginner routes. StGeorge4kids.com recommends the Snow Canyon Loop, a paved trail through Snow Canyon, and the Gooseberry Mesa "White Trail," a wide, moderate jeep road that excludes the technical sections of the more well-known Gooseberry Mesa route but provides some of the same stunning views.
Off-Roading
The exertion of mountain biking may turn some children off, but riding off-road via motor power will likely appeal to those very same kids. Off-roading is a fun adventure for the family, and the St. George area has a diverse selection of sand dunes, rock and backcountry trails. Children between the ages of 8 and 16 need to take a certification course before operating an off-highway vehicle on public land. Children under 8 are not allowed to operate OHVs on public land, but younger children can be passengers. Services like Red Desert Rentals (reddesertrentals.com) and Torque Motorsport Rentals (torquemotorsportrentals.com) offer rentals and tours.
Splash Pads
A relatively new phenomenon in the St. George area, "splash pads" take the idea of the backyard sprinkler to new heights. Parks near town, such as Archie H. Gubler Park (no website; 2375 Rachel Drive, Santa Clara) and Washington City Aquatic Center (no website; 350 North Community Center Drive, Washington; 435-656-6360), let kids escape the desert heat with water-park areas that spray water in the air. Slap a bathing suit on your child and let him enjoy a timeless childhood tradition: running underneath a spraying fountain of water on a hot day.
Other Kid-Oriented Attractions
St. George has plenty of other fun places for children. The Johnson Farm Dinosaur Discovery Site (dinotrax.com) showcases area history in the form of dinosaur fossils and footprints. The Fiesta Family Fun Center (fiestafuncenter.com) has numerous kid-focused attractions like go-carts, an arcade and miniature golf. The Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum and Gift Shop (rosenbruch.org) has displays with more than 300 species from around the world. Area ghost towns like Grafton and Silver Reef will appeal to children who like the Wild West.
I hope this information is helpful and adds more fun to your visit. If you find that you love this area as much as I do, you may consider living here. I'd love to assist you in any real estate needs. Feel free to contact me any time. Get great St. George Home info here.
(Information provided by: traveltips.usatoday.com)
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