Things to Do in St. George With Kids: Parks, Museums and Easy Hikes

St. George is an easy place to entertain kids, whether you're visiting for a weekend or just moved to town. Many of the best spots are free, most are within a short drive of downtown, and the mild winters mean outdoor play almost year-round. Here's a family guide organized by type of outing. If you're thinking about moving, browse St. George homes for sale.

Parks and Playgrounds

Thunder Junction All Abilities Park

This dinosaur-themed city park on Dixie Drive is a local favorite. It was designed so children of all abilities can play together, with a "volcano" that erupts on a schedule, a splash area in warm weather, shade, picnic spots and a small train that circles the park for a small fee. Entry to the park is free.

Town Square and the carousel

Downtown's Town Square has a splash pad, grass for running around and the city's classic carousel, all within walking distance of shops and restaurants.

Neighborhood parks with splash pads

Several newer parks have splash pads and big playgrounds, including The Fields at Little Valley and Washington City's Washington Wheels Park, which adds a pump track and BMX track for older kids. See this guide to Little Valley for more.

Museums and Indoor Fun

• St. George Children's Museum: two floors of hands-on, themed rooms downtown, an easy half day, especially when it's too hot or rainy outside.
• Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm: real dinosaur tracks preserved where they were found. See this guide to the Dinosaur Discovery Site.
• St. George Temple Visitors' Center: the grounds and visitors' center downtown are open to the public and free.

Easy Hikes for Little Legs

• Pioneer Park: slickrock to climb, a short slot canyon and big views, minutes from downtown. See this guide to Pioneer Park.
• Snow Canyon State Park: Jenny's Canyon is a half-mile round trip to a small slot canyon, and the paved Whiptail path works for strollers and bikes.
• Santa Clara River Trail: a flat paved trail with a duck pond along the way.
• Red Cliffs Recreation Area near Leeds: a short, popular trail along a creek to small pools and sandstone ledges, with a day-use fee.

Water Days

Sand Hollow and Quail Creek state parks have beaches and calm water for swimming and paddling. Sand Hollow is covered in this Sand Hollow State Park guide, and more ideas are in St. George's swimming spots.

Day Trips

• Silver Reef ghost town near Leeds, with a small museum and ruins of an 1870s mining town.
• Zion National Park, about an hour away. The Riverside Walk and Pa'rus Trail are easy for families.
• Tuacahn in Ivins, where family-friendly Broadway-style musicals run in an outdoor canyon amphitheater.

Tips for Families

• In summer, plan outdoor time for early morning and evening, and save midday for museums and splash pads.
• Bring more water than you think you need, and hats for everyone.
• Sandstone and playground surfaces get very hot by afternoon from June through September.

Bottom Line

From a dinosaur park and a children's museum to slot canyons and lake beaches, St. George makes it easy to keep kids busy, often for free. For more ideas, see the top things to do in St. George, or contact Best Utah Real Estate for help finding a family-friendly neighborhood.