Most people visit St. George as a gateway to Zion National Park, and that makes sense, because Zion is spectacular. But if you stop there, you’re missing out. St. George and its surrounding area is absolutely packed with weird, wild, and wonderful things that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. This is our list of the most unique, offbeat, and downright strange things to do in the St. George area, and we love every single one of them!
Glitter Mountain (Toquerville)
Glitter Mountain might be the most uniquely Utah thing we’ve ever experienced. Located just outside of Toquerville, this massive mound of industrial waste glass has been tumbled smooth by time and weather, and the result is absolutely magical. The hillside sparkles and glitters in every color of the rainbow depending on the light, creating a surreal, otherworldly landscape that looks like something out of a fairy tale.
It’s free, it’s accessible, and it’s utterly unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Kids and adults alike are completely mesmerized. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when the light catches the glass at the perfect angle. Wear closed-toe shoes since you’re walking on tumbled glass, it’s smooth but it’s still glass! This is absolutely a must-do if you’re in the area.
- Location: Near Toquerville, UT (search “Glitter Mountain Utah” in Google Maps for exact coordinates)
- Cost: Free
- Best time: Golden hour for maximum sparkle
- Wear: Closed-toe shoes
Dinosaur Tracks (St. George)
Did you know you can walk among actual dinosaur tracks right in St. George? The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm is one of the most significant dinosaur trackway discoveries in North America, and it was found by accident when a farmer was plowing his field in 2000. The site contains hundreds of early Jurassic dinosaur tracks preserved in stone, along with fossils of fish, plants, and other prehistoric creatures.
The museum is small but incredibly well-done, and the kids absolutely geek out seeing real dinosaur footprints up close. You can see the actual trackways in person, three-toed prints from early theropod dinosaurs that walked this very ground 200 million years ago. It’s mind-blowing in the best possible way. There’s also a really solid outdoor trail where you can see tracks in their natural context.
- Location: 2180 E Riverside Dr, St. George, UT 84790
- Hours: Check their website for current hours
- Cost: Small admission fee (very worth it)
- Ages: Perfect for dino-obsessed kids of all ages
Veyo Pies + Veyo Pool (Veyo)
Veyo is a tiny town about 20 minutes north of St. George that punches way above its weight class. It’s home to two completely unrelated but equally wonderful attractions that we love hitting on the same visit.
Veyo Pies is a legendary pie shop that has been serving the area for decades. The pies are homemade, enormous, and absolutely delicious, from classic fruit pies to seasonal specialties. People drive from hours away just for a slice. We’ve never had a bad pie there, and the whole experience feels like stepping back in time to a simpler era. Get a whole pie to go, you won’t regret it.
Veyo Pool is right down the road, a naturally heated geothermal swimming pool fed by a volcanic spring, perched alongside the Santa Clara River with stunning red rock surroundings. It’s a local institution that’s been operating since the 1930s and nothing makes a hot Southern Utah day better than jumping into this cool, refreshing pool. There’s also a rope swing and a rock climbing wall for older kids. It’s one of those places that feels genuinely timeless.
- Veyo Pies Location: 285 N Main St, Veyo, UT 84782
- Veyo Pool Location: 287 N Main St, Veyo, UT 84782 (yes, they’re basically next door!)
- Pool Cost: Small day-use fee
- Best combo: Swim at the pool, then reward the kids (and yourself) with pie
Thunder Junction All-Abilities Park (St. George)
Thunder Junction All-Abilities Park is one of the most impressive playgrounds we’ve ever visited, and it’s completely free. This expansive park was specifically designed to be inclusive and accessible for children and adults of all abilities, and the result is a playground that’s honestly amazing for every kid, regardless of ability level.
The park features sensory play areas, zip lines, climbing structures, splash pads (in summer), swings of all types, and beautiful paved paths throughout. The attention to detail in the design is remarkable, everything is thoughtfully built so that kids who use wheelchairs, have sensory sensitivities, or face other challenges can participate fully alongside their friends and siblings. It’s genuinely one of the most heartwarming places to take a family, and the kids could spend hours here. Don’t miss it!
- Location: 285 S 400 E, St. George, UT 84770
- Cost: Free!
- Features: All-abilities playground, splash pad (seasonal), zip lines, sensory play
- Tip: Bring a change of clothes in summer for the splash pad
Snow Canyon State Park
Just minutes from downtown St. George, Snow Canyon State Park feels like a secret Zion, dramatically beautiful red and white sandstone canyons, lava tubes, slot canyons, and sand dunes, all without the Zion crowds. This is one of Utah’s most underrated state parks and it’s become one of our absolute favorite spots in the whole region.
- Hidden Pinyon Trail, A lovely 1.5-mile loop through the desert with great views of the red rock formations.
- Lava Tubes, Explore real volcanic lava tubes! Bring a flashlight and let the kids discover what’s inside. Otherworldly and totally free to explore.
- Johnson Canyon/Whiptail Trail, A beautiful canyon walk with stunning multi-colored sandstone walls.
- Sand Dunes, Giant natural sand dunes perfect for sliding and playing. Bring sleds or just use your body!
More Weird & Wonderful St. George Gems
- Brigham Young Winter Home, Tour the actual home where Brigham Young spent his winters in the 1870s. Fascinating piece of Utah history and it’s free!
- Pioneer Park, A small city park with a labyrinth of short trails through red rock formations right in the middle of town. Great for a quick morning scramble.
- St. George Art Museum, Free admission (suggested donation) with rotating exhibits that are consistently impressive for a city of this size.
- Red Hills Desert Garden, A beautiful desert botanical garden with a pond, wildlife, and gorgeous red rock backdrop. Perfect for an evening stroll, and it’s free.
- Warner Valley Dinosaur Tracks, Another incredible prehistoric trackway site, more remote than the Johnson Farm site, with a wild backcountry feel.
St. George is so much more than a pit stop on the way to Zion. Give it a full day or two of exploration, especially the weird stuff, and we promise it will become one of your favorite Utah destinations. Trust us!
