48 Hours In Southern Utah: The Perfect Quick St. George + Zion Itinerary. (What I’d do again)
- 25 minutes ago
- 4 min read
I traded my snow-capped mountains for red rock and desert landscapes for a quick two-day trip. Although it wasn’t a huge getaway, it was a much-needed change of scenery for my mental health.
Little did I know, though, that this quick trip would include delicious food, major adrenaline rushes, and so much more. So let’s dive into what we got into, and what you need to add to your Southern Utah “must-do” list.
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MAD MOOSE RENTALS + TOURS
I have been living in Utah since I was ten years old, yet somehow I have barely explored the southern parts of the state. I had to change that.
So I went to check out Mad Moose Rentals, and they offer so many cool “toys” to make exploring even more fun.
They have UTVs, water sport rentals, and the main star of the show, the Slingshot. We headed to Snow Canyon State Park to chase the sun in “Sunny St. George,” & it was the perfect way to drive through the canyon. The best part was pulling over to take in all the scenic views.
The Slingshot feels like a mix between a car and a motorcycle—but with open air, sunshine, and red rock views? Unreal.
Why I’d do this again:
Perfect for scenic drives
Makes everything feel more immersive, almost like a movie
Honestly, just a core memory moment. It was so smooth, and Jay had so much fun driving it. He said it was easy to get used to, which is a huge plus
TIP:
Book ahead, check the weather, and use MINDYYBRAGA for 10% off when booking with Mad Moose.
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SAND DUNES & SNOW CANYON
I highly recommend stopping at the sand dunes, not far from Hurricane, because this spot felt the most dreamy. I could sit there in awe of Southern Utah’s beauty all day while soaking in the warm sand. The dunes are dog-friendly if you are a smart dog owner (leash at all times + dog bags).
It’s also connected to Snow Canyon, which has a few fun and beautiful trails.
This is a low-effort, budget-friendly stop. It’s around $15 for Utah residents and a little over $20 per vehicle for out-of-state visitors, but with the views, trails, and the feel of the sand, it’s absolutely worth it.
Perfect for everyone!
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DOWNTOWN ST. GEORGE.
After your adventure near the dunes and canyon, head to downtown St. George.
I love how everything isn’t too far from each other, so downtown was the perfect stop on our way back from Snow Canyon.
What I loved:
Cute local shops, such as Awakened Goddess and Annie’s Vintage Garden. (Head to Awakened Goddess for cute clothes & crystals, Annies for gifts!)
Walkable streets
Beautiful, historic areas. I love learning history on trips, so I pulled over to read almost every plaque, haha
This was the perfect spot for a casual date night. Honestly, we really loved this part of St. George!
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SOAK AT ZION HOT SPRINGS
This was the reset moment I had been waiting (yearning) for.
📍 Zion Hot Springs
This was my first time here, and I learned that they have multiple pools inspired by natural hot springs from around the world. So yes, I soaked in the “Dead Sea” for my skin over the weekend, how fun is that?
Why I would do this again (in a heartbeat):
Perfect after walking through the canyon and downtown all day
The 21+ section is great, even if you don’t drink like me. I had a “Zion soda,” which was delicious and perfect in the hot spring
You can feel a connection to the earth (that might be the hippie in me talking, and I don’t even care)
It feels like a hidden gem, even though it’s close to campgrounds and hotels
TIP:
Get the 21+ section if you can, so you have access to all of the springs. One area may be more crowded than another, so it’s nice to switch around. And again, it’s totally okay if you don’t drink, just do what I did ;)
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FOOD STOPS
Near Hurricane and Zion National Park is the Pizza Wagon. They offer fresh, delicious wood-fired pizza at a fair price.
I wasn’t expecting them to have fresh, handmade lemonades too, but they did. My FAVE! Make sure you get one. They have several flavor options, but hands down, the cucumber mint was UNBELIEVABLE.
This is a pickup-style restaurant with outdoor seating. We were so tired after a long day, so it was the perfect to-go spot. Crashing at the hotel with this pizza was the perfect way to end the day.
Next, in downtown St. George, stop at the corner restaurant, George’s. They offer all three meals, but it truly hit the spot for a classic lunch lineup.
We recommend the burgers and turkey sandwich for a filling, delicious meal to keep you going throughout your busy day, whether it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
These two stops made our two days so deliciously satisfying.
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SO, IS 48 HOURS ENOUGH?
Well, yes and no.
I think we could’ve driven the Slingshot for another full two days alone.
BUT, it was perfect for the quick mental health reset that I needed. 48 hours is also perfect for:
• Trying new experiences (you can rent items from Mad Moose by the hour!)
• Taking in breathtaking views that help clear your head
• Enjoying unique, quick bites
• And so much more
Southern Utah never disappoints, and I cannot wait to come back this summer for more adventures.
So tell me, are you more of a Slingshot person or a hot springs person? 😜
