Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The St. George of today is a relatively small city, but not without its unique attractions.
AmongthemareBrighamYoung'swinterhomeandtwoimposingMormonstructuresbuilt
inthe1870s.Thetabernacle, madeofhand-hewnsandstoneblocks,isopentovisitors.The
white-walled temple, which is the oldest Mormon temple in the world still in use, is open
only to Mormons.
Did you know…
The difference between a national monument and a national park is based on
who actually declares its status. National parks require congressional approval,
and national monuments are established by an executive order of the President.
2.
Snow Canyon State Park
The route heads northwest onRte. 18fromSt.GeorgetoSnowCanyon, aneerie landscape
comprising an assortment of lava flows, extinct volcanoes, and canyons.
A half-mile off Rte. 18 at the park's Panorama Point, jet-black chunks of volcanic ash
pepperaredsandstonemoonscape.PetroglyphsbyancientIndiansappearinvariousplaces
throughoutthepark,andcarvingsby19th-centurypioneersdecorateJohnson'sArch.After
bidding farewell to Snow Canyon, the drive circles back to St. George via Santa Clara.
3.
Hurricane
Once you head north on I-15 and then twist east on Rte. 9 through miles of arid landscape,
a refreshing change awaits you at the town of Hurricane (named for the violent gusts
that swirl off the surrounding hills). The fertile farms here, including orchards of apples,
apricots, and peaches, owe their lushness to irrigation. A canal built long ago by intrepid
MormonsettlersoncelinkedthisareawiththeVirginRiver,andtodayapressurizedirriga-
tionsystemkeepsthelandmoist.Asyouleavetownandcrossthebarricade-likeHurricane
Cliffs, look northwest for views of the Pine Valley Mountains.
4.
Kolob Terrace Road
Zion's salmon-colored monoliths, jagged towers, and huge cliffs—dubbed temples by the
firsttrailblazers—liedeadaheadalongthemuddyVirginRiverasyounearthetownofVir-
gin. Before you begin your final approach to the park's main entrance, however, consider
taking a scenic detour 18 miles north from Virgin along the Kolob Terrace Road.
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