You may not have ever heard of the 10.3-square-mile city of Ivins. Although its population is only 8,500, it is part of the much larger St. George Metropolitan Area. It boasts the Tuacahn Center for the Arts, which features both an open-air amphitheater as well as an indoor theater. There is also Kayenta Art Village, which features studios, galleries, a theater, and much more art-related retail and spaces.
What else can you find in and around Ivins? Some really scenic hiking trails. Here’s just a small sampling of some of the best hiking trails near Ivins.
- Santa Clara Petroglyphs via Anasazi Trail
Sam Larsen/AllTrails This easy, family and pet-friendly trail is 2.90 miles out and back and features - you guessed it - ancient petroglyphs. It’s a popular route for hiking, running, and even mountain biking. While it does feature an incline, it’s very gradual. There are hundreds of these carvings here, with the majority of them at the top of the small hill at the end. Some are just shapes, while others feature recognizable carvings, such as bighorn sheep. Just make sure you look but do not touch them.
While there are no real stipulations about when to hike this, if it’s a hot summer day, you’ll want to make sure that you have plenty of water and sunscreen as shade is sparse.
Sara Flowers/AllTrails There are two ways to get to the rock art: the southern route, which is steep but short, or you can take a left from the main path and hike the zig-zags to get to them. Check out All Trails for more details on this hike. Anasazi Valley Trailhead, W Old Hwy 91, Ivins, UT 84738, USA
- Hellhole Trail
Ruslan Parker/AllTrails Located within Utah’s Red Mountain Wilderness, this trail is 3.40 out and back. Expect about an hour and a half to complete, but be aware that the terrain can be a bit rugged, especially if you choose to take the route that heads through a rocky and sandy wash. But the payoff is gorgeous views of staggering red cliffs and crags and water basins. If you prefer to not to go through the wash, you can take the upper trail located to the left of it. It’s quicker and also less strenuous.
Note that the trail is not well-marked out, so you’ll need to have some guidance from an online app. Try this one from All Trails.
Marc Herklotz/AllTrails When you reach the end of the trail, you can rock scramble farther into the canyon and extend your time exploring. Red Mountain Wilderness, 18,700 acres N.W. of Snow Canyon State Park,, Dammeron Valley, UT 84783, USA
- Tuacahn and Whiptail Loop Trail
Tyne Vanderbilt/AllTrails This loop trail clocks in at 6.10 and is part of Ivins’ Snow Canyon State Park, which features a sandstone canyon and an extinct volcano. You can hike, bike, camp, or even horseback ride here. The trail is rated as moderately challenging due to its steep sections where some rock scrambling will be necessary and other loose sand areas. The terrain will vary as you progress with dirt, rock, and even sand. Snow Canyon State Park, 1002 Snow Canyon Dr, Ivins, UT 84738, USA
You’ll see desert plants and shrubs like creosote bushes, narrowleaf yucca, and more. As far as wildlife, don’t be surprised to spot peregrine falcons, coyotes, desert tortoise, or even a Gila monster.
Triana Silton/AllTrails Once you climb up above Tuacahn, you’ll get outstanding views of the stunning black, red, and white rocks. Use this map to guide you along the way.
What’s your favorite scenic trail in or around Ivins or Snow Canyon State Park? Check out this listing for more of the best hiking trails near Ivins.
Sam Larsen/AllTrails
This easy, family and pet-friendly trail is 2.90 miles out and back and features - you guessed it - ancient petroglyphs. It’s a popular route for hiking, running, and even mountain biking. While it does feature an incline, it’s very gradual. There are hundreds of these carvings here, with the majority of them at the top of the small hill at the end. Some are just shapes, while others feature recognizable carvings, such as bighorn sheep. Just make sure you look but do not touch them.
Sara Flowers/AllTrails
There are two ways to get to the rock art: the southern route, which is steep but short, or you can take a left from the main path and hike the zig-zags to get to them. Check out All Trails for more details on this hike.
Anasazi Valley Trailhead, W Old Hwy 91, Ivins, UT 84738, USA
Ruslan Parker/AllTrails
Located within Utah’s Red Mountain Wilderness, this trail is 3.40 out and back. Expect about an hour and a half to complete, but be aware that the terrain can be a bit rugged, especially if you choose to take the route that heads through a rocky and sandy wash. But the payoff is gorgeous views of staggering red cliffs and crags and water basins. If you prefer to not to go through the wash, you can take the upper trail located to the left of it. It’s quicker and also less strenuous.
Marc Herklotz/AllTrails
When you reach the end of the trail, you can rock scramble farther into the canyon and extend your time exploring.
Red Mountain Wilderness, 18,700 acres N.W. of Snow Canyon State Park,, Dammeron Valley, UT 84783, USA
Tyne Vanderbilt/AllTrails
This loop trail clocks in at 6.10 and is part of Ivins’ Snow Canyon State Park, which features a sandstone canyon and an extinct volcano. You can hike, bike, camp, or even horseback ride here. The trail is rated as moderately challenging due to its steep sections where some rock scrambling will be necessary and other loose sand areas. The terrain will vary as you progress with dirt, rock, and even sand.
Snow Canyon State Park, 1002 Snow Canyon Dr, Ivins, UT 84738, USA
Triana Silton/AllTrails
Once you climb up above Tuacahn, you’ll get outstanding views of the stunning black, red, and white rocks. Use this map to guide you along the way.
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