15+ BEST Things to do in Hurricane, Utah!
When we visited Hurricane in 2023, we had an absolute blast exploring the area (I had no idea there was SO MUCH to do!). We went on several dirt biking adventures including a ride out to Toquerville Falls. We even made it to the “Top of the World” viewpoint in Sand Hollow State Park. It was epic!
Our trip wasn’t all off-roading, though. We also did a few hikes and ventured out to Snow Canyon State Park, where we explored lava tubes and petrified dunes. Oh, and it rained a TON while were there. We rescued way too many cars and trucks stuck in the mud where we camped. (It was chaotic but honestly made for some hilarious memories).
In this post, I’m sharing everything you need to know about the best things to do in Hurricane, Utah. We’ll share all the must-do activities and hikes, the best time to visit, what to know before you go and so much more!
Hurricane, pronounced “Her-ah-kun,” (if you want to sound like a local), is a small town located in the Hurricane Valley, on the easternmost part of the St. George metropolitan area. Here, you’ll find stunning red rock formations, canyons, and mesas sculpted by the tectonic forces of the Hurricane Fault.
The town got its name in the 1860s when a whirlwind blew the top off Mormon leader Erastus Snow’s buggy. He exclaimed, “Well, that was a Hurricane. We’ll name this the Hurricane Hill,” and the name stuck!
Hurricane was first settled in 1896 as part of Brigham Young’s “Cotton Mission,” a plan to establish agriculture in southern Utah. The area became known for its orchards and small farms that grew everything from peaches to pecans and pistachios. Today, it still holds onto its agricultural roots while being a prime location for exploring Zion National Park, Sand Hollow State Park, and so many other adventures.
Best Things to do Hurricane Utah
1. Toquerville Falls
If you’ve got a 4×4 vehicle, an OHV (or even a dirtbike), Toquerville Falls is a must! Toquerville Falls features two stunning tiers of water cascading over red rock ledges. When Jake and I visited in early spring, we had the place all to ourselves, but in the summer, this would make such a great place to cool off and splash around in the pools below the falls.
There are two ways to get to Toquerville Falls. The first route is via Spring Rd, which is about 5.5 miles from the town of Toquerville. This is the quicker and easier option, but it requires a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle because the road is pretty rough and rocky. Dirtbikes, and OHV’s are also great options for this route!
The second option is the more technical Toquerville Twister Trail, which starts near the LaVerkin Shooting Range along the first bend of Highway 9. This route is about 11 miles and is a single-track trail so it’s better suited for dirt bikes, or mountain bikes (if you’re up for it).
We decided to take the Toquerville Twister Trail, out to the falls, and it was such a fun ride! The terrain was rough (and muddy), but the views along the way were incredible. (I managed to only fly over my handlebars once—LOL!)
After spending time enjoying the falls and eating lunch by the water, we crossed the river and took the 4×4 road back. The road route was definitely quicker and way easier, which was nice cause we had to get back to the dogs in the camper.
2. Babylon Arch
Another fun adventure Jake and I did was hike to Babylon Arch in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. This trail is about 1.2 miles round trip with 200 feet of elevation gain and is a perfect half-day hike. We brought the dogs along, and they loved running through the sandy trails and exploring the area.
I must admit, Babylon Arch isn’t your typical arch (and we’ve seen a lot of arches). The arch is about 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide, and we were able to walk right through it!
Babylon Arch is about 25 minutes from Hurricane. From Highway 9, take I-15 north to Leeds and follow signs for Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. We parked at the Sand Cove Trailhead and hiked from there. The dirt road to the trailhead can be rough, so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
3. The Hurricane Cliffs Trail System
The trails are situated between La Verkin and Hurricane and there are multiple trailheads and access points along State Route 59 and Sheep Bridge Road. You can hop on and off the trails as you please and create your own custom loops for endless variety.
MTB Project has a super helpful directory and map of the Hurricane Cliffs trail system. You can check that out here!
4. LaVerkin Overlook
5. Zion National Park
From Hurricane, Zion National Park is only about a 30-minute drive to the park’s entrance in Springdale, making it an easy day trip!
Recommended Tours in Zion
6. Sand Hollow State Park
Sand Hollow State Park is a relatively new addition to Utah’s state parks, officially established in 2003. The park is home to over 16,000 acres of OHV and single-track trails, making it one of the best places in Utah for off-roading!
One of the coolest things about the park is the bright reddish-orange sand that stretches across huge dunes. It’s seriously one of the prettiest places we’ve ever ridden.
We explored the park on our dirt bikes with our friends Blake and Rachel and had an absolute blast. One of the highlights was riding to the “Top of the World“, a trail that takes you up to an overlook of the surrounding mountains and desert. And even though I got really frustrated getting stuck in the sand a few times, the views were unreal.
Here’s an OnX map of the Sand Hollow State Park trails, which is super helpful for navigating, and you can even download it to use offline! Also, keep in mind the sand dunes can get really hot in the summer months, so try to plan your adventures for early morning or late afternoon.
Beyond the trails, Sand Hollow has a ton of other activities. The reservoir is a great place for paddleboarding, kayaking, or even scuba diving! Did you know that you can explore sunken treasures? Below the water, you’ll find a Volkswagen bus and a Cessna 320 twin-engine airplane!
There’s also a campground right by the lake if you want to extend your stay. Camping fees range from $35 to $40 per night. You can book a spot at Reserve America. From the campground, the Sand Mountain OHV area is accessed by a tunnel located south of the staging area.
Day-use passes are required for both Sand Mountain OHV riding and access to the reservoir at Sand Hollow State Park, and they can be purchased online in advance. The cost to enter the state park is $15 per vehicle for Utah residents or $30 per vehicle for non-residents.
If you’re bringing dirt bikes or OHVs to Hurricane, you don’t need any special tags as long as your vehicle is registered in your home state. But if it’s not, you’ll need a non-resident OHV permit before hitting the trails.
For the best things to do and tours in Sand Hollow State Park, check out our guide!
Recommended Tours in Sand Hollow
7. Quail Creek State Park
For those who want to stay overnight, the park has a newly updated campground with 26 sites, each with power, water, and a dump station.
If you need to rent water gear, DIG Paddlesports offers kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, water carpets, and even jet skis. And if you’re visiting on a hot day, you can grab some delicious shaved ice treats from Kona Ice! You can usually find their truck on the south side of the park.
The cost to enter the park is $15 for Utah residents, $20 for non-residents, or just $5 if you walk or bike in.
8. Snow Canyon State Park
During our trip, Rachel, Courtney, and I decided to do a day trip to Snow Canyon State Park, and wow, what an adventure! Located just 20 minutes from Hurricane, Snow Canyon is a stunning state park known for its lava flows, red rock formations, and beautiful hiking trails. The park entrance fee is $10 per vehicle, which is totally worth it for everything you can see and do there.
The first hike the three of us did in the park was the Petrified Dunes Trail, a 1.2-mile round trip hike featuring wavy, wind-carved sandstone formations that are super fun to climb and explore.
Afterwards, Rachel and I went and checked out the Lava Flow Trail, which is 2.5 miles round trip. You can explore actual lava tubes, which are dark tunnels carved by ancient volcanic activity. It was such a unique experience (bring a flashlight!) Next, we drove up to the Upper Galoot Overlook to take in the absolutely gorgeous views of the park.
The last hike we did was to Petroglyphs Slot Canyon, and it was such a cool way to wrap up our trip! It’s technically in Snow Canyon, but we accessed it from outside the fee area using Utah Hiking Beauty’s guide (which was super helpful). The 2.5-mile round-trip hike had stunning red rock views, and the best part was walking through a narrow slot canyon with ancient petroglyphs carved into the walls!
Some other popular hikes in the park include Butterfly Trail, Jenny’s Canyon Trail, Whiterocks Amphitheater Trail, and Johnson Canyon Trail.
9. Grandpas Pond Park
10. Dinosaur Footprints Hike
One afternoon while Jake was home working, Bella and I headed out for a solo adventure to see some Dino Tracks! The hike was 3.6 miles out and back, and the trail is located in Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.
Along the way, there are gorgeous views of the red-rock “Dino” cliffs, and you can even see some footprints in the first wash about 200 yards from the trailhead.
As you get closer to the bottom of the trail, you’ll spot a slate rock surface in the streambed to your left, where there are 17 super well-preserved dino footprints. It’s seriously wild to think about how long they’ve been there! It’s definitely one I’d recommend (especially for kids!) if you’re in the area.
11. The Red Reef Trail
The Red Reef Trail was another hike I did with Bella while Jake was working, and it’s hands-down one of my favorite hikes in the area.
The trail is 2.2 miles and starts at the Red Cliffs Recreation Area Campground. This hike was stunning with towering red rock walls, little arches, and even petroglyphs. There are fun rock caves to crawl through, and tree stumps that somehow look like elephants. And if the stream is running, you’ll find pools perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.
This hike costs $5 at the self-pay station, or you can bring your national park pass for entry!
12. St. George Pioneer park
St. George Pioneer Park is a 52-acre community park that is such a cool spot to check out, especially if you’re into rock climbing or just love epic views! Plus, the hiking here is awesome. There are trails that lead to cool spots like the Boy Scout Cave, a historic pioneer cabin site, slot canyons, and even a connection to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. Pioneer Park also features picnic areas, barbecues, and a pavilion!
13. Hurricane Valley Heritage Park Museum
The Hurricane Valley Heritage Park Museum is a must-visit for a fun and interactive experience of Hurricane’s history. Here, you can dress up in pioneer clothes, try old-school chores like washing clothes on a washboard or churning butter, and check out cool exhibits about the area’s early settlers. Kids will love the hands-on displays, and best of all, admission is free! If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, educational stop, this is definitely worth checking out.
14. Red Cliffs Anasazi Site
Another hike we did in the Red Cliffs Recreation Area was the Anasazi Site Trail, a quick and easy 0.5-mile loop packed with history! This ancient treasure gives you a glimpse into the lives of the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here over 1,000 years ago.
The trail takes you past rock formations, petroglyphs carved into the red rock walls, and even ancient artifacts scattered throughout the area. This area costs $5 at the self-pay station, or you can bring your national park pass for entry!
15. Silver Reef Ghost Town
Silver Reef was once a bustling mining town in the late 1800s, thriving after silver was discovered in its sandstone (a rare and surprising find). At its peak in 1879, the town had about 2,000 residents, a mile-long Main Street, and businesses like a Wells Fargo office and the Cosmopolitan Restaurant.
But as silver prices dropped, the mines began to close, and by 1901, most of the buildings were either demolished or moved to neighboring Leeds. Mining efforts picked up again briefly in the 1900s, but they didn’t last long.
Today, Silver Reef is a ghost town, with only a few remnants of its past. Visitors can still see the old Wells Fargo office, building foundations, and other traces of the town’s history. It’s a neat place to explore and imagine what life was like in this once-thriving mining community.
16. St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site
If you love dinosaurs or grew up obsessed with Jurassic Park, the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm is a must-visit! It’s just a short drive from Hurricane and offers an up-close look at real dinosaur fossils and tracks.
Inside the museum, you’ll find life-size dino replicas (some you can even touch!) But the coolest part? The outdoor excavation site, where you can watch paleontologists and volunteers carefully uncover real dinosaur bones and fossils.
Feeling adventurous? You can even join a guided dig and try excavating a fossil yourself. Who knows, you might just uncover something millions of years old!
17. River Rock Roasting Company
River Rock Roasting Company is hands down one of my favorite spots in LaVerkin! Sitting right on the edge of a basalt canyon carved by the Virgin River, this cozy cafe has incredible views and an even better menu. I loved grabbing their chai (it was seriously so good) and they had some super tasty baked goods to go with it. They also serve fresh roasted coffee, espresso drinks, sandwiches, and even beer!
Best Time to Visit Hurricane, Utah
Hurricane is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on what you want to do. Here’s what to expect in each season:
Spring (March–May): Spring is one of the best times to visit! Temperatures are mild (50s–80s°F), wildflowers start blooming, and it’s perfect for hiking, biking, and off-roading. Water levels in streams and pools are usually higher, making spots like Red Reef Trail extra fun. Just be prepared for some spring wind (it can get gusty)!
Summer (June–August): Summers in Hurricane are hot, with highs often over 100°F. Early mornings and evenings are the best times for outdoor activities, while afternoons are great for cooling off at Quail Creek or Sand Hollow. If you’re visiting Zion, expect crowds and extreme heat, so bring plenty of water and start hikes super early.
Fall (September–November): Fall is another fantastic time to visit, with cooler temps (50s–80s°F) and fewer people on the trails. The desert landscape might not have traditional fall colors, but it’s a great time for hiking, biking, and camping without the summer heat. Plus, off-roading is extra fun after some light rain firms up the sand.
Winter (December–February): Winter is the quietest time to visit, with highs in the 40s–60s°F. It’s chilly but still great for hiking and biking if you dress in layers. Some days can be really windy, with gusts over 50 mph, so check the forecast before heading out. Snow is rare in Hurricane, but nearby areas like Zion’s higher elevations can get a dusting, making for some gorgeous views!
Free Camping Near Hurricane
If you’re looking for free camping near Hurricane, Utah, especially around the Hurricane Cliffs and La Verkin Overlook areas, here are some options:
Hurricane Cliffs Designated Dispersed Camping Area: This area offers 56 designated sites, each marked with a numbered placard and a metal fire ring. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a stay limit of 14 days within a 28-day period. While all sites are suitable for tent camping, not all are accessible to RVs or trailers.
La Verkin Overlook Road Dispersed Camping: This is where we camped, which was an awesome spot, until the rain hit! When it gets wet, the roads turn into a total mud pit. We saw so many vehicles get stuck, and even Matt’s Off-Road Recovery showed up to pull a few people out! If you camp here, just be ready for unpredictable conditions and maybe think twice before driving in after heavy rain!
Additional Utah Travel Guides:
Interested in visiting Hurricane and the surrounding area to camp and tour the sites.
We hope you get the chance to! The area has so much to offer!