As our name suggests, one of the most popular things to do during a stay at Zion Wildflower Resort is to visit Zion National Park. You’ll definitely want to plan to spend at least a few days exploring this incredible national park. Hike some of its beautiful trails, ride the Zion Canyon Shuttle into the Lower Canyon, and maybe try out a unique tour or activity, like an e-bike ride or Jeep tour.
But there are also plenty of things to see and do outside of Zion during your visit. There are other Utah national parks, like Bryce Canyon, close enough to see during a day trip. There are also several Utah state parks just a short drive away from our Zion resort. Some offer activities you won’t find in Zion, while each offers stunning landscapes, some of which even rival those that you’ll see in Zion.
Ready to start planning some day trips during your Zion Wildflower stay? Keep reading to learn about a few state parks located just a short drive away.
Quail Creek State Park
The closest state park to Zion Wildflower Resort is Quail Creek. This Utah state park is located less than 30 minutes from our Zion resort, in nearby Hurricane. Quail Creek State Park is home to the Quail Creek reservoir, which was completed in 1985 to provide irrigation and water to the St. George area. Today, the reservoir is home to some of the warmest waters in the state of Utah, and the park as a whole experienced a mild winter climate, even compared to nearby Zion National Park.
If you want to experience Quail Creek’s warm waters, you can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and other watercraft. With a maximum depth of 120 feet, the lake is stocked with rainbow trout, catfish, and crappie, making it a popular place to fish as well. While the lake’s most popular activity is water sports, there are some hiking trails and mountain biking trails in the park as well.
Sand Hollow State Park
The next closest state park to our resort is Sand Hollow State Park. Located just a 30-minute drive from Zion Wildflower Resort, this park is also home to a large reservoir, where you can enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, and other activities in the bright blue water.
Sand Hollow is one of Utah’s most popular state parks. While the reservoir is a part of this, it’s the park’s access to the adjacent Sand Hollow Trails, an OHV (off-highway vehicle) area that covers more than 62,000 acres, that brings many of its visitors. This off-road area includes over 15,000 acres of sand dunes, rocky landscapes, cacti-covered fields, and a variety of other landscapes that you can explore on ATVs, UTVs, Jeeps, and other vehicles. You can bring your own off-road vehicle, or rent one on-site or from many different local tour companies.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
If you’ve ever had the chance to visit Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, you know that it can be tough to believe that this landscape exists in Southern Utah. That’s because this park is home to massive, rolling sand dunes, which take on a pink hue at sunset, leading to its equally unique name. These sand dunes are a popular spot for off-roading, as well as for hiking and even sand sledding. They cover around 3,000 acres of the state park. While they might look out of place, the dunes are a result of erosion to Navajo Sandstone, which occurred between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago.
This state park is a bit further away than the others we’ve mentioned. It’ll take you a little over an hour to drive there from Zion Wildflower. But it can make for a great day trip, especially if you want to try out a unique activity like sand sledding during your trip.
Snow Canyon State Park
A little over 45 minutes from our Zion resort is Snow Canyon State Park. This park is best known for its unique geological formations. Towering red rock cliffs rise straight out of the desert, and make for some incredible views. Despite the park’s name, it actually enjoys mild winters and rarely sees snow.
Snow Canyon State Park is a popular destination for rock climbing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and more. There are around 16 miles of trails for hiking as well. This state park is located close to St. George, Utah, where you’ll find a variety of restaurants, shopping, and other activities, making it a great choice for a day trip from Zion Wildflower Resort.
Planning Your Stay at Zion Wildflower Resort
Whether you want to try out sand sledding or spend an afternoon fishing, these Utah state parks can be great day trips to enjoy during your Zion Wildflower Resort stay. If you find yourself with some time in your itinerary, plan to visit a few during your next trip!
Ready to start planning your Zion resort adventure? Book your stay at Zion Wildflower today!
