Discovering 10 Hidden Gems in Utah Beyond Zion National Park
While most people visit southern Utah to see the famous landscapes of Zion National Park or Bryce Canyon National Park, you’ll find so many more amazing spots to explore here if you know where to look!
I grew up in the area and have called it home again for the last nine years. Exploring and searching for new hidden gems is one of my favorite past times and I love that I get to share them with you. Get off-the-beaten-path and see some exceptional sights in southern Utah away from the biggest crowds. You will be so glad you did.
Top 10 Hidden Gems in Southern Utah
These hidden gems in Utah range from rock formations to slot canyons to waterfalls to state parks and more, so you’ll find something for everyone to explore.
The Nautilus
Snow Canyon State Park
Water Canyon
Kodachrome Basin State Park
Brian Head Resort
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Spring Creek Canyon
Kolob Terrace
Red Cliffs National Reserve
Toquerville Falls
Read on to discover why each of these places are hidden gems in southern Utah and get all the info you need to plan a visit.
1. The Nautilus
The Nautilus tops my list of hidden gems in Utah because it is an incredible rock formation that you can hike into. The light inside the mollusk-like formation is absolutely stunning, and the ripples of yellow stripes running through the white rock are so cool.
WHY IT’S A GEM
The Nautilus is a unique swirly rock formation that resembles a seashell. When you hike down into the white rock dome, it spirals around, giving you the feeling you are exploring a large mollusk shell. There is even a section of rock you can slide down! Kids will absolutely love playing in The Nautilus, and everyone can appreciate its beauty.
LOCATION
You’ll find The Nautilus about 45 minutes east of the town of Kanab, UT along White House Road off of Highway 89.
IMPORTANT INFO
The trail to The Nautilus is less than a mile round trip, so it’s definitely doable for families with kids. No fee or permit is required to hike The Nautilus, making it a convenient spontaneous excursion.
Learn more about hiking The Nautilus here!
2. Snow Canyon State Park
Another of my favorite hidden gems in southern Utah is Snow Canyon State Park. While people understandably come to southern Utah to visit Zion National Park, I think Snow Canyon should not be missed either.
WHY IT’S A GEM
Snow Canyon State Park is an amazing place to escape the crowds that flock to Zion. You can find solitude here along with incredible views of unique sandstone and basalt rock formations. The Petrified Sand Dunes are super cool, and the Lava Tube Trail offers both caves to explore and panoramic desert views to take in.
LOCATION
Located just north of the St. George, UT, Snow Canyon State Park is about an hour away from the Springdale entrance of Zion National Park.
IMPORTANT INFO
The day-use entrance fee for Snow Canyon State Park is $15/vehicle ($10/vehicle for Utah residents).
Check out my full blog post about Snow Canyon State Park here!
3. Water Canyon
Water Canyon is a bit off the beaten path, but it’s a beautiful and interesting trail from start to finish, making it one of the best hidden gems in Utah if you’re looking for a fantastic hike.
WHY IT’S A GEM
With rock scrambling, sheer red cliffs, a shallow year-round creek, a waterfall canyon oasis, and stunning valley views, Water Canyon has it all. And at 4.25 round trip (with 500 ft of elevation gain), this hike makes for the perfect half day adventure for outdoor lovers.
LOCATION
Water Canyon is located just outside Hildale, UT in the Canaan Mountain Wilderness south of Zion. It is just under an hour drive west of Kanab or about a 40 minute drive southeast of Hurricane.
IMPORTANT INFO
No fee or permit is required to hike Water Canyon. Just be aware that the last mile or so drive to reach the trailhead is along a bumpy dirt road, so make sure your vehicle can handle it (especially after recent rain).
Find all the details about hiking Water Canyon in my blog post here!
4. Kodachrome Basin State Park
Kodachrome Basin State Park is often overshadowed by all the other amazing places in the region, but it’s absolutely one of the hidden gems in southern Utah.
WHY IT’S A GEM
Kodachrome Basin features 67 stone spires (known as sedimentary pipes) made of multicolored sandstone. In fact, the colors you will find here are what led the area to be named after the Kodak color film in 1948, so it’s simply stunning!
A couple of great hikes in Kodachrome Basin are the 1.5-mile Angel’s Palace loop and the 6-mile double loop Panorama Trail, which takes you to the scenic Panorama Point and several of the park’s signature sandstone spires. Three of the trails in the park - Panorama Trail, Big Bear Geyser Trail, and Grand Parade Loop - are also open to mountain biking if that’s your thing.
LOCATION
Kodachrome Basin State Park is about 2 hours northeast of Zion but only about a half an hour east of Bryce Canyon National Park, so it’s a great addition to your itinerary if you’re visiting both national parks.
IMPORTANT INFO
The day-use entrance fee for Kodachrome Basin State Park is $10/vehicle.
Discover other awesome southern Utah state parks in my blog post here!
5. Brian Head Resort
While you might not expect to find a ski resort in the southern Utah desert, Brian Head Resort will surprise you with plenty of snow and super cheap lift tickets.
WHY IT’S A GEM
Imagine hitting the slopes with snow-dusted red sandstone hoodoos in the distance…that’s what you’ll find at Brian Head, and there’s truly no other resort like it! Brian Head also has the highest base of all of Utah’s ski resorts at an elevation of 9600 feet, and the terrain features 71 runs with 1,320 feet of vert.
Plus, compared to major ski resorts, the lift tickets at Brian Head Resort are an absolute steal, so it really is one of the best hidden gems in Utah for skiers and snowboarders.
LOCATION
Brian Head is conveniently located to both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. It is just over an hour to drive from Brian Head to Bryce Canyon National Park and about an hour and a half from Brian Head to East Zion.
IMPORTANT INFO
During ski season, a free Brian Head shuttle runs from the resort through town, making it super easy to get around.
Check out my ultimate guide to visiting Brian Head here!
6. Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument is a local gem even among all the national parks, state parks, and other georgeous wilderness areas in southern Utah.
WHY IT’S A GEM
Often called the “Circle of the Painted Cliffs,” Cedar Breaks National Monument is a naturally-formed rock coliseum featuring colorful arches, hoodoos, and canyons. It’s also home to ancient bristlecone pine trees which stand out in the breathtaking landscape. And since Cedar Breaks sits at a higher elevation than the Zion area – at around 10,000 feet – it’s a great place to escape the heat in summer or find the snow in winter.
LOCATION
Cedar Breaks National Monument is near the town of Brian Head, about an hour and a half drive north of Zion and just over an hour from Bryce Canyon National Park.
IMPORTANT INFO
The entrance fee for Cedar Breaks National Monument is $25/vehicle. An America the Beautiful annual national parks pass is also valid for entry to Cedar Breaks.
7. Spring Creek Canyon
While Spring Creek Canyon might not have the stunning waterfalls of Kanarra Falls or the fame of Kolob Canyons in Zion, it is actually an equally incredible hike through a slot canyon and that makes it one of my favorite hidden gems in Utah.
WHY IT’S A GEM
The popular slot canyons of southern Utah can get super crowded, but you can find some solitude on Spring Creek Canyon Trail even though it is nestled near more popular and MUCH more crowded hikes. This trail is located just 5 minutes away from the very popular Kanarra Falls hike, and it is an awesome alternative since it doesn’t require a permit, it’s way less crowded, and it is one of coolest slot canyons in southern Utah!
LOCATION
Spring Creek Canyon is in Kanarraville, UT, just 10 minutes north of the Kolob Canyons area of Zion National Park and 20 minutes south of Cedar City.
IMPORTANT INFO
No permit or fee is required to hike Spring Creek Canyon. As with all slot canyons in southern Utah, do NOT do this hike if rain is in the forecast due to the serious potential of dangerous flash flooding.
Get all my tips for escaping the crowds and hiking Spring Creek Canyon here!
8. Kolob Terrace
Kolob Terrace Road is one of the hidden gems in southern Utah right by Zion National Park. The road runs just outside the park boundaries, so you can find amazing views along here without the crowds (and without having to wait in line to get into the park).
WHY IT’S A GEM
As you drive down Kolob Terrace Road, you’ll encounter many wide open meadows with stunning panoramas and beautiful red rocks in the distance. You can simply pull over and appreciate the views here without fighting for a parking spot or coordinating your ride on the Zion shuttle.
My favorite spot along Kolob Terrace Road is Lambs Knoll. From here, you can get a great perspective of Tabernacle Dome, West Temple, the Guardian Angels and other landmark features of Zion. You can also take a short hike to the base of the rock formation that’s popular with climbers.
LOCATION
Kolob Terrace Road runs from just outside the town of Virgin, UT around 25 miles up to Kolob Reservoir. Lambs Knoll is located about 10 miles up Kolob Terrace Road coming from Virgin.
IMPORTANT INFO
You do not need to pay a fee to drive on Kolob Terrace Road sits it is outside the boundaries of Zion National Park.
Find more info about visiting Lambs Knoll in my blog post here!
9. Red Cliffs National Reserve
Red Cliffs National Reserve is right next to my hometown of Hurricane, UT, so it has always been a hidden gem of mine and one of my favorite places to explore in southern Utah.
WHY IT’S A GEM
You really get so much in one area when you visit Red Cliffs National Reserve! You can hike to Babylon Arch, hike the Red Reef Trail, see the Dinosaur Footprints, and also check out the Red Cliffs Archeological Site, all in one visit.
LOCATION
You’ll find Red Cliffs National Reserve in the Hurricane, about 25 minutes east of Saint George and 30 minutes west of Zion National Park.
IMPORTANT INFO
Red Cliffs National Reserve is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and charges a small $5 day-use fee for access. You can also use your National Parks Pass for entrance.
10. Toquerville Falls
WHY IT’S A GEM
Toquerville Falls is truly what desert dreams are made of. A waterfall oasis in the middle of nowhere with a swimming hole and lots of space for exploring, Toquerville Falls is a destination that the whole family is sure to love. (My kiddos were absolutely in heaven here!)
You can also spend the night here and camp along La Verkin Creek, which is situated on BLM land. There are no marked campsites, and camping is on a first-come/first-serve basis.
LOCATION
Toquerville Falls is about an hour drive from Springdale and Zion National Park, about half an hour north of the town of La Verkin.
IMPORTANT INFO
To get to Toquerville Falls, you will have to drive on a nearly 6-mile stretch of road that requires a high clearance vehicle with 4 wheel drive. Do not try to drive this road in anything less, or, trust me, you will get stuck.
Read more about my experience taking an ATV tour with Mad Moose Rentals to Toqurville Falls
Hope this post helped you discover a few hidden gems in Utah to add to your must-visit list!
Happy Adventuring,
Arika
