ABOUT THIS ADVENTURE
When I moved to LA I remember being in a friend’s apartment and seeing a gorgeous photo on the wall.
“Where the hell is that?!” I asked. The answer: Zion National Park!
It was at that moment that I mentally put Zion on my travel bucket list. Nearly 10 years later, I am so lucky that iExplore and Visit St. George helped my dream of hiking Observation Point Zion come true. Along with travel friends, I attended #InstaMeetStGeorge which brought together travel photographers for a weekend of exploring some of the best outdoor landscapes Utah has to offer.
St. George is a small town located in southwestern Utah and less than an hour drive from Zion National Park. It is more than just a convenient home base for hiking Observation Point Zion, what sets it apart is its close proximity to other jaw-dropping parks. Having explored Utah’s finest with some of the best photographers and bloggers in the travel industry, the photos speak for themselves!
Here’s some visual inspiration on why you should visit St. George as well as 4 Must-See Parks when Hiking Observation Point Zion:
1. ZION NATIONAL PARK
Zion National Park is a hiker’s paradise. Its most well-known hikes include Observation Point, Angel’s Landing and The Narrows. During #InstaMeetStGeorge we hiked Observation Point Zion and were treated to the best view in the entire park.
Observation Point Zion is a moderately strenuous 8-mile hike (round trip) and takes between 4-6 hours. To accomplish it as a day hike, make your way to Zion National Park and hop on the shuttle to the Weeping Rock stop. From here it’s time to start hiking up for a 2,100 feet elevation gain.
The view from the top of Observation Point Zion is insanely impressive — there’s a reason why it’s often referred to as the best lookout in the park. Words can’t describe the the beauty of Zion from here, but hopefully photos help!
The next 3 parks are all located extremely close to St. George, Utah. Staying here gave us the opportunity to explore these gems in addition to our day trip to Observation Point Zion. Each of these parks offer unique terrain, camping, hiking and stunning views.
2. RED CLIFFS DESERT RESERVE
Red Cliffs Desert Reserve provides 60,000 acres of red rock gloriousness! Pop by the visitor’s center (10 N 100 E, St George, UT 84770) for help on mapping out your adventure or stay.
One of the most popular hikes is Babylon Arch Trail, definitely an Insta-worthy spot!
3. SNOW CANYON STATE PARK
Did you watch “Land Before Time” as a kid? Stepping into Snow Canyon State Park will transport you to a time when Little Foot, Petry and Sara roamed free. In all seriousness, I wonder if this location offered inspiration for the movie. Snow Canyon is a great spot for a colorful sunset. Make sure to keep your eye out for some dinos.
4. YANT FLAT CLIFFS
Yant Flat Cliffs is also known as Candy Cliffs. Why? Because here Mother Nature serves up delicious views of sandstone rock formations with candy like swirls. The red, orange and white stone swirls will leave your mouth watering for more… or just hungry for some ice cream!
JUSTIN’S TAKEAWAYS
One of the best parts about attending #InstaMeetStGeorge (thanks again iExplore & Visit St. George!) was spending time with incredibly talented, intelligent and motivating travelers. These people – who have become some of my best friends – inspire me to pursue my passions and become a better travel blogger.
If you’re in need of some travel inspiration, check them out! Nothing beats surrounding yours with adventurous souls with positive and contagious energy.
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