I took my dogs on this trail for a hike and they were happy and tired! HAha. Amazing rock…read moreformations and views! It's only 1hr and 45 mins drive from Las Vegas. Just wanted a different scenery out of Vegas. They also have a garden area. It is worth a drive! No entrance fee. Free parking and they have plenty different areas to park.

We visited Pioneer Park for the first time recently, and while it's definitely a beautiful and…read moreunique spot, our experience was a bit mixed . We didn't really know where to start when we arrived, and there wasn't much direction, so we ended up just climbing the first rock formation we saw. Honestly, if it weren't for a group of people ahead of us, we probably wouldn't have had any idea where to go. I was hoping to make it to the arch, but the climb felt a little too steep and slippery, especially with kids. We were carrying our three-year-old and keeping a close eye on our six-year-old, who was feeling a bit more adventurous than we were comfortable with in that terrain. We didn't make it very far in and mostly just stopped to take a quick photo so we could say we visited. It was also pretty hot, with the sun beating down the whole time, which made it harder to explore and enjoy the park fully. That said, the park itself is really nice, and you can tell there's a lot to see if you're prepared and know where you're going. I'd recommend going earlier in the day, bringing plenty of water, and maybe looking up a map or trail guide ahead of time, especially if you're visiting with young kids. Overall, it's a cool place, but we didn't get to experience it as much as we had hoped. Definitely worth another try with better planning!

If you blink, you might miss it--but Bloomington Petroglyph Park is one of those low-key spots that…read moreends up being way cooler than you expect. We pulled up thinking it would be a quick stop... and yeah, it is quick--but it's also surprisingly fascinating. This tiny half-acre park is literally tucked into a neighborhood, which feels weird at first (like, "am I lost?"), but then you walk up and boom--massive boulders covered in ancient carvings. The petroglyphs are believed to have been created by Native peoples thousands of years ago, and you can spot all kinds of shapes--humans, animals, spirals, and random symbols that still kind of feel like a mystery. What makes this place stand out is how ridiculously accessible it is. You park, walk maybe 20 feet, and you're face-to-face with real ancient rock art. No hike, no effort--just instant history. It's not a big, flashy attraction, so don't come expecting a full-on park experience. No bathrooms, no visitor center--just a small path, a couple benches, and the rocks. But honestly? That's part of the charm. If you're in St. George and want a quick, unique stop that feels a little off-the-beaten-path, this is it. Just don't touch the carvings--these things have survived thousands of years... let's not be the generation that ruins them. Follow us for more hidden gems on our socials @reessroots

If you are in the area, it is a quick stop that has interesting history. The reason I said maybe…read moreis because when I read the description of a 5 acre park to see petroglyphs, I would have driven anywhere feasible to see it. It is in fact , not even an acre and only one or two rocks that have the petroglyphs on them....not a park!

There are 2 parking lots for the trail, either one of them is fine, no fee is required. First one…read morecomes with brief instructions and maps. It's easy hike with slow elevation. The petroglyphs site is on the rock side or right side, so stay on right side. It's about 3 miles round trip, expect one and half hour. It is fun to explore and search for petroglyphs since there is no signs or indications where these petroglyphs are located. The history of petroglyphs is not as old as I thought, it's about 800-1000 years old. Many petroglyphs are located on cliffs facing by the Santa Clara River. These petroglyphs include abstract and geometric patterns such as parallel lines, herringbone and patterns, as well as figurative patterns such as dancing people and goats. The petroglyphs have spiral patterns, which I think are in memory of their legend ancestor Spider Grandmother. And these dancing people may be worshiping the ancestor. There is a goat head painted very ethereal, it's so beautiful even looks like modern paintings. Although it is introduced that there is an organization-the Land Mountain Research and Conservation Foundation, dedicated to protecting these rock paintings. But these rock paintings are still in their original state, there are no monitoring measures to protect the wind and rain, and there are no markings on the location of the rock paintings. You have to climb up and down to find them. We encountered other tourists who lost their way in finding rock paintings. I truly hope significant measures to take to preserve and label these petroglyphs, maybe more academic research should be done to interpret them.

The Santa Clara River Trail System has an awesome trail which leads to petroglyphs. This trail is…read moreknown as Templ'po'op Petroglyph Trail and you can reach it from Anasazi Valley Trailhead. The trail is 2.9 miles long and takes you through the desert until you finally arrive to the petroglyphs. There are a lot of petroglyphs here which makes sense because Templ'po'op translates to rock writing. To see many of these petroglyphs you must climb around a bit. Some rocks had plenty of petroglyphs on them while some only had one or two drawings. There is really a lot of stuff to see here. On the way back there are some beautiful views. This is a very kid friendly hike. Even climbing around the rocks to see the petroglyphs felt safe.

Sometimes I'm in absolute awe of nature-and this lovely park inspires all of the awe. It's not…read morelarge, but in the space that they have, they've done a great job to make this space welcoming and beautiful for all. There's a path that winds through the park that takes you through the trees, past the flowers and the bushes. There are signs throughout that tell visitors what plants are in the area, so you can better identify what you're looking at. Even though it gets extremely hot in the summer, there's a good amount of shade, so this park can be enjoyed morning, noon and night.

The Tonaquint nature center is another free place to check out when visiting St. George. The nature…read morecenter is part of a large multi-use public park with plenty of flat walking areas. The best time to visit would be Fall because the entire area was full of yellow and orange trees (Freemont cottonwoods). We walked here after visiting Thunder Junction and it was a nice place to stretch our legs and take in a nature walk. - Duck pond

Sometimes we aren't in the mood for a true "hike" where you have to navigate trails, climb an…read moreincline or commit to a strenuous activity. There are times when we prefer a leisurely stroll, likely at the end of a dog leash, and the Virgin River Trail is just perfect for that! There's ample parking and restrooms at the park, then you can hop on the trail in a variety of directions. The path is paved and very clearly marked, so you know where to go. There are even signs along the way directing to different trails as well as information about the length. I especially like the bridges over the Virgin River-they make for a nice photo. Not a lot of shade, so if you're walking in the summer months, prepare for that.

I had an idyllic escape to St. George, UT during my spring break staycation back in March. After…read morearriving in St. George, I beelined to Confluence Park to bike the Virgin River Trail, which parallels the Virgin River for nearly 12 miles. The trail is well-maintained, extremely scenic, passes through diverse Southwestern landscapes, and is relatively flat (with the exception of the detour I took through picturesque Cottonwood Canyon on the Hell Hole Trail). Biking the Virgin River North Trail out and back from Confluence Park is roughly 18.2 miles. I did an extra seven miles on the Hell Hole & Virgin River South Trails to get me closer to 25 miles total. During my bike ride, I encountered photographers, runners, hikers, other bicyclists, and families/groups of people out on leisurely strolls. I would rate the Virgin River Trail as easy and suitable for all fitness levels. I found Cottonwood Canyon and the steep Hell Hole Trail hard/difficult as a novice biker, but well worth the effort! After my bike ride and lunch in St. George, the adventure continued with a scenic drive back home through the Virgin River Gorge (AZ), Moapa Valley (NV), and Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NV).

The Virgin River Pass on Interstate 15 holds a golden spot in my heart and mind. It is sometimes in…read moremy dreams. When in the area, I always stop, and pay, here.

We didn't stay we just drove through to check out the site…read more We used the bathrooms they were clean and the sites were clean this place is beautiful surrounded by the canyon. It was empty when we went but it was hot like in the high 90's

Utah is one of the most majestic, awe-inspiring states and has been such an unexpected joy in my…read morelife - if you had told me 10 years ago that I'd be spending a significant part of my life in Utah I never would've believed you lol. Exploring Utah over the past 4-5 years has changed me - I have developed such a deep appreciation for the deserts and canyon lands that I used to vehemently dislike thanks to the Beehive State! Our 45th state is packed full of burnt orange cliffs and slot canyons, deep green rivers, towering multicolored mountains and hoodoos, unlimited arches and natural bridges, well preserved dinosaur footprints, and an insane amount of petroglyphs and pictographs dating back many thousands of years. I thoroughly enjoyed combing through my Utah photo collection from the past several years and I hope my pics will give you a sense of the vast land of adventure this state holds! When my son got out of the marines, he announced he was moving to Salt Lake City to go to college with his marine "brothers" - at the time I was absolutely devastated bc I thought he'd always live with me forever until the end of days (as I'm sure all mothers do LOL) - but he went off to make a life for himself with his newfound military bros (how dare he??!!!) His decision ended up being such a wonderful turn of events in all our lives - not only did it open up a whole new world of outdoor adventures and American history to explore, but it also brought so many wonderful people into our lives and given us a whole new branch of our family!! His military bros are the most fantastic people and their families have all become part of our family! The outdoor activities and wildlife are unparalleled- and the people are the kindest I've ever encountered. My son has utterly thrived in Utah and excelled at "The U" in his engineering major. This state will forever hold a special place in my heart! It's a hidden gem and I hope it stays that way - but I don't think it will bc apparently it's one of the fastest growing state in the US waaaa!! So I highly recommend visiting - but also please don't so it won't change LOL!!

Just Go (#10) We've…read morevisited the Great State of Utah many times over the years. This is an updated review. We love Utah because they have some of the most beautiful National Parks, which I mentioned extensively in my original review. We even revisited Bryce Canyon during Covid year (2020)... it was a great place to social distance ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Aside from these iconic national parks we also found some national monuments, landmarks and small towns to visit including Virgin Town. If passing by don't forget to stop at the Buffalo Trading Company and try their awesome buffalo burgers... and did you know that there is a real UP House located in the southwestern City of Herriman? You won't find Carl, Ellie and Russell here, though. This house isn't cartoon. Old Irontown (Cedar City) - located in the southern part of Utah Old Irontown is said to be the very first ghost town in Utah. What we found was an off-the-beaten trail that led to the historical part of Old Irontown and a charcoal kiln was one of the landmarks in the ghost town... no ghosts, just a bunch of fire ants! Yikes! Park City Historic Main Street - I was charmed by this popular historic mountain town. Lots of shops and restaurants, bars and breweries, entertainment, galleries, and nearby hotel and lodging. It was once a silver town and hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002. Reminded me of Virginia City in NV. Bonneville Salt Flats (Wendover) - this was cool! We drove here in 2020... can't practice anymore social distancing than being here at the Salt Flats. We drove a mile out from the west rest stop area and checked out this densely packed salt bed. I had no idea that Southern Utah was once a dinosaur stomping ground (no pun intended) and that inside the St George Dinosaur Discovery Site @ Johnson Farm is the original intact track surface. Thank you Great State of Utah... so much natural beauty! Review #1348 updated

I really love this park. It might not be the biggest, but it's fairly quiet and not overly busy…read more The park is kept tidy, and in general people are well behaved here. Oddly enough we saw a stray rooster here. Not sure how he got here. There are also some other birds and a couple of ducks.

Took the kids to this nice little hidden beach today. Didn't get any pictures since we were too…read morebusy playing, but grabbed this quick pick as we were pulling away. Not too busy for a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. Plenty of beach area around the water. My kids had fun, so we'll definitely be back next time we're in the area.