The Top 10 Things to Do on a Staycation in Southern Utah

by Dave Diegelman

The Top 10 Things to Do on a Staycation in Southern Utah

You Don't Have to Go Far to Get Away

Let's face it: most of us in Southern Utah are transplants.

I'm guilty.

I've owned my home here for more than 20 years, but like so many others, I was first lured to this beautiful corner of God's creation by a vacation — and, in my case, a little business interest thrown in for good measure.

As a Realtor in San Diego, our investment group looked at real estate opportunities in several different markets through various partners. Southern Utah caught our attention in the mid-2000s. In 2005, the area was booming, but prices still made sense for many investors. We came to visit, liked what we saw, and eventually decided to buy a second home here.

That second home eventually became home.

But I digress.

I'm really here to talk about something I think many Southern Utah residents overlook: the staycation.

You don't always need to pack a suitcase, fight airport traffic, or spend hours getting somewhere to feel like you've gotten away. Living in Southern Utah puts us within a short drive of some of the most spectacular landscapes, trails, lakes, canyons and small towns in the West. Add in a growing collection of unique restaurants, coffee shops and local hangouts, and the hardest part can be deciding what to do.

Over the years, I've developed my own version of the Southern Utah staycation. Some adventures can be squeezed in before work or during a long lunch. Others deserve an entire day.

Here are my Top 10 Things to Do on a Southern Utah Staycation.

Staycations You Can Do on a Workday

1. Go Mountain Biking

Mountain biking was largely responsible for my first visits to Southern Utah — and ultimately for my decision to build a home here.

Twenty-plus years later, the sport has grown tremendously, and the number of options is almost ridiculous.

For something close to town and relatively family-friendly, Bear Claw Poppy is a great place to start. But if you're looking for something more challenging, the mesas surrounding the area offer some truly world-class riding, including Gooseberry, Guacamole and Little Creek Mesas.

These trails have served me well over the years as part of my own staycation philosophy. Getting out into nature and doing something fun — and occasionally something that might be described as mildly dangerous — has always been my idea of a good vacation.

Physical activity is almost always at the forefront of my time off. For me, a few hours on a bike can feel like a full vacation without ever leaving Southern Utah.

2. Hike or Trail Run Before Work

A few years ago, I injured my shoulder and had surgery, which put the mountain bike on the shelf for a while.

Fortunately, hiking and trail running have been staples of our family for most of our lives, so I had plenty of alternatives.

Southern Utah is almost unfairly blessed when it comes to trails.

The Hurricane Rim Trail, Molly's Nipple and even the Zen Trail in St. George can provide a legitimate escape without requiring an entire day.

The beauty of these adventures is that they can often be done before the workday begins — assuming you're willing to get up early.

In the summer, that's not really optional for those of us who are heat-adverse. An early start can mean cool temperatures, beautiful light and a trail almost entirely to yourself.

There's something pretty special about watching the desert wake up while you're already out there enjoying it.

3. Escape to Kolob Reservoir

Sometimes you don't need a strenuous adventure.

Sometimes you just need to get out of town.

One of our favorite quick escapes is Kolob Reservoir, especially when we can bring the dogs along.

It's less than an hour from our home in Hurricane, yet it feels considerably farther away. The cooler temperatures, open scenery and quiet surroundings make it an easy way to hit the reset button.

An early evening drive, a little time by the water and some happy dogs can be all it takes.

That's the beauty of a staycation: you don't have to make it complicated.

4. Take a Long Lunch in Springdale

When we're looking for something a little more civilized, Springdale is one of our go-to destinations.

A leisurely lunch or dinner surrounded by the red cliffs of Zion is hard to beat.

Parking can be a challenge, particularly during busy seasons, but we've usually been able to find restaurants with their own parking or locate a spot without resorting to the more expensive paid options.

The trick is not to overthink it.

Pick a restaurant, wander around town, enjoy the scenery and pretend you're visiting from somewhere else.

Sometimes the best way to experience where you live is to temporarily act like a tourist.

5. Spend a Few Hours at Snow Canyon

Snow Canyon State Park is one of those places that never seems to get old.

It's close enough to St. George to qualify as an in-town adventure, but once you're surrounded by the lava flows, sandstone cliffs and volcanic landscape, it feels worlds away.

I grew up as a rock climber, so I've often used Snow Canyon as a convenient opportunity to catch a couple of pitches before or after work with a friend or even rope-soloed.

My wife has a different approach.

She gets what I jokingly call a serious "Singer Sewing leg" — in other words, she would much rather hike than climb.

Fortunately, Snow Canyon has plenty of trails to keep both of us happy.

It's one of those places where you can spend two hours or an entire day and still feel like you've barely scratched the surface.

6. Paddleboard at Quail Creek

For a completely different kind of staycation, grab a paddleboard and head to Quail Creek State Park.

It's close enough to make a paddleboarding session possible before breakfast, during a long lunch break or after dinner.

There's something wonderfully relaxing about getting out on the water, especially when the surrounding desert is glowing in the evening light.

And unlike a long road trip, there's no packing marathon involved.

Load the board, grab some water and go.

Day-Trip Staycations

When you have a little more time — or the temperatures cooperate — Southern Utah opens up even more.

7. Hike to Observation Point From the East Side

With a full day available, Zion's east side is one of my favorite places to explore.

The hike to Observation Point from the east side offers spectacular views into Zion Canyon without requiring you to deal with the crowds and logistics of the main canyon.

There was a time when the Observation Point trail connected all the way down into the valley. Unfortunately, that route was lost following a massive rockfall in 2019.

The east-side route isn't quite the same workout as the old trail, but it's still an excellent adventure and delivers some spectacular scenery.

And if Observation Point isn't your thing, Zion offers countless other hikes ranging from easy walks to serious all-day adventures.

After two decades here, I still haven't run out of reasons to go back.

8. Make a Day of Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon is always near the top of my day-trip list.

The drive alone is part of the experience. Whether you approach from Kanab, Zion or Cedar Canyon, the scenery changes constantly and makes the journey part of the adventure.

We've made the trip with friends and family members who aren't hikers, and there is still plenty to see and enjoy.

But for me, the real beauty of Bryce is found by getting down into the canyon.

The hoodoos look impressive from the overlooks, but walking among them gives you an entirely different perspective. You become immersed in the landscape rather than simply looking at it from above.

That's one of the things I love most about Southern Utah: the landscape isn't just something to photograph. It's something to experience.

9. Photograph Antelope Canyon

If you're willing to stretch the definition of a Southern Utah staycation, Antelope Canyon near Page, Arizona, is absolutely worth the drive.

It's particularly impressive for photographers.

I've always preferred Lower Antelope Canyon because it has traditionally felt a little less crowded, and when photography tours are available, having additional time and space to set up a tripod can make a huge difference.

The sculpted sandstone, light and shadows make it an almost surreal place to photograph.

But this is one destination where a little caution is essential.

Flash flooding is a very real danger in slot canyons. Storms don't have to be directly overhead to create dangerous conditions downstream, so check the weather and heed local warnings before heading into any slot canyon.

Beautiful places deserve respect.

10. Explore Kolob Canyons

One of Southern Utah's great underappreciated destinations is Kolob Canyons, the less-visited northwestern section of Zion National Park just off Interstate 15 near New Harmony.

Getting there is easy, and the scenic drive alone is worth the trip.

The overlooks provide spectacular views into the red-rock country, but for me, the real magic begins when you leave the road and enter the canyons.

The trails along Taylor Creek offer a couple of very different experiences.

The Middle Fork is my favorite. It's the secont canyon fork as you are driving up the scenic drive (there's a large parking lot on the right side of the road accross from the canyon) It's a little more of a goat trail, but that's part of the appeal. The towering canyon walls, shaded sections along the creek and increasingly dramatic scenery make it feel much more remote than it actually is.

Toward the end, the canyon opens up to spectacular climbing walls. If you're lucky, you may even see climbers working their way up the severely overhanging rock and water pockets.

It's one of those places where you can stop for a moment and think, How is this not more crowded?

And that's precisely why I like it.