Cycling Hub: St. George

Studded with sprawling mesas and red sandstone cliffs, the countryside surrounding St. George is straight out of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” literally. The classic Western, shot near St. George in 1969, isn’t St. George’s only claim to fame; the town of over 80,000 is just 30 miles from Zion National Park. It’s also adjacent to a half a dozen other adventure destinations, including Snow Canyon State Park, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, and Gooseberry Mesa. Time to grab your bike, there’s a lot of cycling to see.

For a pleasant warm-up, head into Snow Canyon State Park for a 20-mile loop. From downtown St. George, jump on your bike and head north on S.R. 18 to the junction with Snow Canyon Parkway, and hang a left. Stay in the narrow shoulder for just over four miles. This will take you towards the entrance to the park on Snow Canyon Drive.

You gain just over 1,300 feet of vertical in the first 11 miles of this loop, but don’t worry, the downhill cruise begins when you meet back up with S.R. 18 at mile 11.5. As a bonus, the shoulder widens considerably as you head back into town. It’s good to have the extra room — the views of Snow Canyon’s vermilion cliffs may drive you to distraction.

If you are looking for a challenge, follow the century-length course of the annual Spring Tour de St. George, which skirts the western edge of Snow Canyon State Park, swoops down to the Utah-Arizona border, passes through Sand Hollow and Quail Creek state parks, and finishes alongside Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.

Boasting an average 300 days of annual sunshine, it’s no surprise that St. George trends significantly warmer than the rest of the state. Its arid desert climate is emblematic of the desert southwest, averaging in the high nineties and hotter in the summer months. Wherever you’re riding, plan to bring plenty of water, and consider acclimating to the dry heat with shorter cycling loops before taking on a big day.

Thanks to its proximity to outstanding road cycling and mountain biking, St. George is home to many bike shops, plus an all-around outdoor gear supplier, the Desert Rat. The town is supremely bike-able, too: its easy-to-navigate bike routes and trails system will get you nearly anywhere in St. George, including lodging and the myriad restaurants on Main Street. There are dozens of budget-friendly accommodations in town; those looking for a luxury getaway should head north from town toward Snow Canyon State Park for a stay at the upscale Inn at Entrada.

When you’re ready for a break from saddle time, you won’t need to look far for rest day activities: In addition to the aforementioned state parks and monuments, visitors can check out one of St. George’s five museums, including a children’s museum. For an adventurous, family-friendly outdoor alternative, head to the Warner Valley Dinosaur Track Site trail, just 15 miles southeast of St. George proper, where over 400 perfectly preserved dinosaur tracks have been discovered. Complete the dinosaur diversion with a visit to an excellent museum, the Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm.

Want to check out St. George’s other outdoorsy offerings? There’s plenty of rock climbing (mostly sport) and canyoneering on the sandstone in the surrounding cliffs, not to mention a lifetime’s worth of singletrack — often favorably compared to the mountain biking scene near Moab.