Planning a visit to Southern Utah? Or maybe you’re a local looking for the best winter activities St George Utah has to offer? The team at St. George Utah Hand Surgery has got you covered!
We’ve compiled a list of the best activities, adventures, and more to enjoy when the temperatures start to drop here in Southern Utah. Keep reading to find your next day trip, weekend activity, or date night this season.
Stroll an Art Gallery
St. George averages just two inches of snow each year. Winter weather might not keep you from enjoying the great outdoors. However, the cool temperatures still can. If you find yourself facing a chilly day, one great way to pass the time is with a visit to some of the area’s many art galleries.
One of the best places to go to immerse yourself in local art is Kayenta. This town is located just 7 miles from St. George. Here you’ll find the Kayenta Art Village, which is filled with a number of studios and art galleries, as well as other retail stores and restaurants. Much of the art you’ll find here and in the town’s other galleries is inspired by the region’s stunning landscapes and makes for some unique souvenirs or gifts to take back home with you.
See Real Dinosaur Tracks
One of the most popular activities to enjoy any time of year is the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site. This unique museum and activity center is a destination for families and science lovers of all ages.
In 2000, while leveling a hill on his farm, a local optometrist named Dr. Sheldon Hohnson discovered dinosaur footprints preserved in a layer of sandstone. Within just a few months, scientists had traveled from around the world to take a look. They eventually uncovered thousands of fossils, including more tracks.
Today, the site is the oldest Jurassic dinosaur site in Utah. It’s also the best-preserved track site from the time period in western North America. A museum was built around the site just a few years later to preserve it and allow the public to experience this special find.
At the museum, you can see the dinosaur tracks, wander indoor and outdoor exhibits, and more. There’s even a sandbox where kids can dig for bones! Tickets are just $8 per adult and $4 per child. If you’re a local or plan to visit more than once, you can even get an annual membership, starting at just $25 for two people.
Hit the Slopes
We already mentioned that St. George sees little in the way of snowfall each year. But while Utah’s northern cities like Salt Lake and Park City are often the first places that come to mind when you think of winter sports, there’s actually a spot to ski and snowboard just a short distance from St. George. Located outside of Cedar City, just under an hour and a half from St. George, is Brian Head Resort. During the winter months, this resort is a haven for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and even snowmobiling.
With the tagline “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” Brian Head receives an annual average snowfall of more than 350 inches. The resort covers over 650 acres. It has 8 chair lifts and 3 surface lifts leading to 71 runs. You can rent gear or join a ski or snowboarding class. There’s also snow tubing and snowmobile tours available.
Just a short drive away, Brian Head is a great option for adding a day of winter fun to your visit to St. George. It’s also perfect for locals looking to hit the slopes without having to drive many hours north.
See Zion National Park Without the Crowds
One of the things that St. George, Utah is best known for is being the gateway to Zion National Park. As the second most-visited national park in 2021, Zion drew more than 5 million visitors last year, most of whom passed through St. George on their way to the park.
Most visitors to Zion make their way to Southern Utah during the summer months. But here at St. George Hand and Wrist Surgery, we think winter may just be the park’s best-kept secret. The park’s shuttle service stops running for much of this season, except for a couple of weeks around the holidays when crowds briefly pick back up. This means that you can drive your personal vehicle through the Lower Canyon. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a quiet drive through the canyon, or to enjoy more convenient access to the trails and overlooks located in this section of the park.
Zion does see more snow and winter weather than nearby St. George because of its elevation. This can make some trails slippery. However, if you have the right winter gear, you can still enjoy some amazing hiking this time of year. If you’re lucky enough to visit Zion on a day when it does get snow, you’ll be treated to an incredible winter wonderland that few visitors to this iconic national park ever get to see.
Enjoying the Best Winter Activities St George Utah Has to Offer
From skiing and snowboarding to seeing real dinosaur tracks, there’s truly something for everyone! While these are some of the best winter activities St George Utah has to offer, they are far from the only ones!
This time of year, there are a variety of Christmas and holiday activities to enjoy. This includes light displays and walkthroughs, Christmas villages, parades, and more. The winter months are also a great time to visit the area’s many state parks, which, like Zion, are crowd-free this time of year.
Of course, enjoying any kind of winter activity can be a challenge if you’re suffering from hand or wrist pain. The experts at St. George Utah Hand Surgery are here to help all year long. Give us a call to schedule your next appointment today, so you can get back to enjoying all that St. George has to offer!