24 Best Things to Do in Hurricane, Utah

Are you trying to find the top activities in Hurricane, Utah? Southern Utah’s Hurricane is a wonderful destination with a ton of things to see and do. These twenty-four best things to do in Hurricane, Utah, can be added to your bucket list if you’re prepared to take in breathtaking views and live an unforgettable experience.

Saint George to the east and Zion National Park to the west surround Hurricane, Utah, which is situated in the southwest corner of the state. For vacations, exciting tours, outdoor relaxation, and other enjoyable recreational pursuits, this city is the ideal location.

Hurricane, Utah has a wide range of relaxing settings, from the Rattlin’ D Playhouse to the energetic Sand Hollow State Park, which has some of the best things to do and see in the region. It has a lot of natural parks and preserves, a variety of wildlife, easy access to beaches, entertainment venues for both kids and adults, and centers for food and recreation.

Visit Zion National Park

The primary draw to Hurricane is Zion National Park, so let’s start there. You’ll find countless towering cliffs, trails, forests, and utterly breathtaking sights in one of the most well-known national parks in the country.

You’ll travel less than 30 minutes east from Hurricane before reaching Springdale, where the renowned Zion Canyon is located. A stop at the Zion Canyon Visitor Center is a must if you want to learn more about the park’s activities, get a map, and get advice from the park rangers before moving on.

Visit Quail Creek State Park

Quail Creek State Park is a great option if you’re looking for outdoor recreation closer to Hurricane or a campsite near the city. One of two state parks close to Hurricane, this park is built around a sizable reservoir where boating, paddleboarding, and swimming are all popular activities.

There are plenty of places to picnic, and you can rent kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, and boats to explore the cliffs and rocks surrounding the park. Locals and tourists alike enjoy this popular green space.

Campers will be happy to have access to one of the many lakeside sites where they can set up a tent or RV. Little compares to watching the sun set behind the mountains around a campfire in the western US.

Rattlin’ D Playhouse

If you want to have the most fun possible, visit the Rattlin’ D Playhouse in Hurricane, Utah. It’s a popular spot for friends and family to have a good time, with entertaining live performances, talented performers, and good food.

Beyond the shows and meals, it’s a genuine source of entertainment for Hurricane’s own residents too, not just visitors passing through.

The variety of food served at the Rattlin’ D Playhouse gives visitors plenty to choose from. It’s a great spot to spend an evening full of fun and laughter.

Pioneer Corner Museum

One of the top things to do in Hurricane, Utah, the historic Pioneer Corner Museum is housed in the former Hurricane Library and offers a wealth of interesting historical artifacts. It acts as a hub for local education, with well-regarded exhibits on the area’s historical and contemporary events.

The museum’s goal is to advance knowledge of local history through engaging exhibits, workshops, seminars, and talks.

A remarkably preserved 1945 piece of bacon and a 1907 slice of fruitcake are just two examples of the odder items on display at the Pioneer Corner Museum. The museum also chronicles the history of the city’s canal and irrigation system, which took thirteen years to build.

Sand Hollow State Park

There’s plenty to see and do on a trip to Sand Hollow State Park. One of the top attractions in the region, it sits in the middle of the desert near Zion, surrounded by striking red rock and clear water.

For the residents of Hurricane, the park is something of a crowning jewel. It offers a bit of everything: lounging on grass, swimming in emerald-colored water, and relaxing along orange sandstone shores.

In the early morning, you can go kayaking or paddleboarding across the roughly 20,000-acre park, or cruise around Sand Island in the evening. The beach area at Sand Hollow also rents wakeboards and water tubes for those who want to get out on the water.

Pah Tempe Hot Springs

Take a side trip and explore Pah Tempe Hot Springs. Native Americans used these hot springs for centuries before European settlers arrived, treating the site as sacred and restorative. The springs release a substantial volume of mineral-rich, geothermally heated water, around 107°F, into the Virgin River.

There are pools built with low concrete walls that flow into one another, with water flowing through a small cave that houses part of the spring. Pah Tempe Hot Springs is a fantastic destination for its history and natural beauty alike.

Hurricane Valley Pioneer Heritage Park

In Hurricane, there’s a small museum documenting the town’s history, housing a handful of intriguing artifacts. There’s also a nice park for kids to play in just behind it, together known as the Hurricane Valley Heritage Park & Museum.

After the hustle and bustle of Zion National Park, a visit here is ideal for a bit of downtime. The Hurricane Valley Pioneer Heritage Association maintains the museum, which features historical artwork, artifacts, and a wedding cake dating back to 1907, among other highlights. Its most talked-about pieces are food-related: a still-preserved piece of bacon from the 1940s, found decades later in a cellar and donated to the museum.

The century-plus-old wedding cake is another standout. Since it sits right on Hurricane’s main thoroughfare, the museum is easy to find and a great, low-key stop if you need a place to unwind.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Head to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park if you want to see some of the best sand dunes around. This striking location sits outside Hurricane, but it’s less than an hour’s drive.

In parts, you might mistake Coral Pink Sand Dunes for the Sahara. The dunes roll and rise several stories high, and shift gradually with the wind, making the area a favorite for off-roaders on Jeeps or ATVs.

There’s a nice observation deck at the park entrance and plenty of regular roads to drive if you don’t have four-wheel drive to reach the dunes themselves. A drive through this part of the desert is a distinctive experience on its own.

Dinosaur Footprints Hiking Area

At the Warner Valley Dinosaur Track Site, you can see genuine evidence of dinosaurs: actual footprints of animals that roamed the area millions of years ago.

According to the archaeologists who studied the site, there are at least three different types of dinosaur tracks visible among roughly 400 fossilized footprints in the rock formations.

You’ll also pass a striking scene of red mountain ranges and clay-covered hills on the way to the site. Bring your kids along to look for dinosaur footprints and combine a good hike with something genuinely educational.

Virgin River Hiking Trails

The Virgin River, which runs directly through Hurricane, is one of the area’s natural highlights. This substantial river flows through Hurricane and Arizona, through the red sandstone of Zion National Park, and eventually into Lake Mead in Nevada.

There are plenty of beautiful places to view the river, and the banks around Hurricane offer some of the best hiking trails in the area, with numerous trailheads in and near town.

One easy-to-access hike starts at the end of North Main Street. Another, the La Verkin Overlook, starts nearby, follows the river, and passes the formerly well-known Pah Tempe Hot Springs site.

After being run as a spa resort for many years, the hot springs are unfortunately no longer open to the public, and their future remains uncertain.

Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon State Park, conveniently located just 30 minutes from Hurricane, is a vast, breathtaking stretch of western wilderness with a variety of natural wonders.

Along with striking hikes to several viewpoints, lava tubes can be found here too, no trip to Hawaii required.

Petrified sand dunes are another draw at Snow Canyon. The park’s geology is genuinely distinctive: sand and sandstone laid down millions of years ago, later shaped by rivers and reshaped again by lava flows. The result is striking. Bring a camera.

You can explore some of the park’s 38 miles of trails on your own, or join a guided tour of the lava tubes and cliffs to get a fuller sense of the landscape.

Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

The Red Cliffs National Conservation Area stretches from Hurricane all the way to St. George, drawing plenty of visitors west to see its dramatic red rock cliffs and natural arch formations.

Within the Red Cliffs area, there are countless trails and viewpoints. The Cottonwood Canyon Trail and Church Rocks Trail are both easily accessible from downtown Hurricane. For a great western photo opportunity, hike a bit further into the uplands to Elephant Arch.

St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm

The city of St. George spreads out from its red rock setting in nearly every direction. Despite the “Farm” in its name, the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site isn’t a working farm, it’s a genuinely engaging museum built around real dinosaur tracks preserved on the property.

It isn’t just for geologists. Families and kids can enjoy dinosaur puzzles, replica fossil digs, and following real dinosaur tracks across the ground.

There’s also a small hands-on activity area for dinosaur-themed crafts and rubbings, and exhibits throughout the museum showcase sandstone slabs with a range of prehistoric markings.

Don’t miss the chance to see footprints from at least three different dinosaur species among the exhibits. Whatever the name suggests, this site is rich in genuine archaeological history and worth a visit for dinosaur fans of any age.

St. George Temple

The striking white St. George Temple remains a significant local landmark today. Originally built in the 1870s as a cooperative effort across Utah communities, it’s recognized as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ longest continuously operating temple.

Visitors can learn about its history at the visitor center on the grounds, even without a temple recommend needed for the interior. It’s especially striking at night, when it’s beautifully lit up, a sight worth the visit on its own given the temple’s long history and significance to the local community.

ATV

Southern Utah in particular is a well-liked destination for ATV riding. The small town of Hurricane is surrounded by wide-open spaces, sweeping overlooks, and the well-known red rock and sandstone formations Utah is known for. Several full-service adventure outfitters in and around Hurricane offer ATV rentals for exploring the area.

Mercantile Antiques and Consignment

Mercantile Antiques and Consignment is a fun stop in Hurricane, Utah, for anyone who enjoys antique and vintage items.

Housed in a building dating back to 1912, the shop carries vintage jewelry, furniture, collectibles, toys, and more, spread across roughly 4,000 square feet of antiques and specialty consignment items.

Mercantile Antiques and Consignment is something of a local treasure trove, with a wide variety of interesting finds at reasonable prices. Anyone is welcome to browse and shop, whether you’re after something specific or just enjoy digging through antiques.

Southern Utah Adventure Center

You and your family can go on guided tours to spots like Diving Board Rock and Sand Mountain Mesa through the Southern Utah Adventure Center.

One of the best things to do in Hurricane, the center offers an exhilarating range of rental options, including dirt bikes, Jeeps, UTVs, paddle boats, and more.

Their equipment gets you started exploring Hurricane’s valleys, waterways, and mountain trails, and the center is a popular stop for tourists and locals alike.

Toquerville Falls

Toquerville Falls is a genuine hidden gem if you don’t mind a quick ten-minute drive north to the town of Toquerville, followed by about 30 minutes on a winding dirt road up into the mountains.

The falls empty into a series of natural pools carved into the sandstone, most of them shallow enough for swimming. Since it’s a bit off the beaten path, you won’t often have to compete for a spot at this unusual natural phenomenon.

If you’re renting a car for roads like these, make sure your coverage includes breakdown assistance. Bringing your own 4×4 is the best option, since no jeep tours currently run this route.

Grafton Ghost Town

Anyone traveling through the American West should make time to visit a ghost town. Grafton is a great, convenient stop on the way to or from Zion National Park from Hurricane, sitting right outside the park’s entrance.

Western pioneers founded the town in 1859, building wooden homes, basic irrigation systems, and other essentials for a small population. Just seven years later, though, the town was abandoned amid disputes with local Native American communities over land and resources.

Grafton is unusual in that it’s been reduced to a ghost town twice. As conditions improved, residents gradually resettled starting in 1868, farming the land again and rebuilding infrastructure.

In the early 1900s, though, the town was abandoned again as residents moved to Hurricane and other larger towns nearby. Today, Grafton is being carefully restored and is remarkably well-preserved. Visitors can explore a place frozen in time, step inside most of the buildings, and get a real sense of what life there was like.

Day Trips to Saint George and Cedar City

Hurricane is a wonderful town, but it’s also a small one. The good news: if you run out of things to do locally, there are some genuinely worthwhile spots just a short drive away.

St. George, one of the better-known towns in southern Utah, is only about a 25-minute drive away. Many of its residents are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and the city is home to the well-known St. George Utah Temple.

St. George is also home to Utah Tech, a university formerly known as Dixie State University, which includes a religious studies institute for the LDS faith. Beyond its religious significance, St. George is also a great base for accessing the Snow Canyon and Red Cliffs National Conservation Area trails.

St. George also has a good number of well-known hotel chains. If you’d rather earn loyalty points than stay in Hurricane, you’ll find options like a Hampton Inn & Suites and a Hyatt Place there.

Ivins Petroglyphs

This is a fun hike the whole family can take part in. As you wind up the path past ancient Ancestral Puebloan farmstead foundation remnants and remarkably well-preserved petroglyphs, you get a real sense of the area’s ancient history. The site, sometimes called Anasazi Ridge, sits in the Santa Clara Reserve near Ivins.

Petroglyphs are etched into the dark desert varnish coating the cliff face. Most are found near the canyon rim, some above and some just below the edge, reached via the lower sections of the cliff trail.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Although it’s a bit of a drive from Hurricane, it would be a shame to skip Bryce Canyon while in this part of Utah. It’s a little more than two hours northeast of Hurricane.

Bryce Canyon is well worth the day trip. Take in the views from the well-known Sunrise Point and Sunset Point, hike to Bryce Point, or simply drive along the main route and take it all in.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

The sand dunes here, whose name says it all, formed from the erosion of pink Navajo Sandstone. They’re popular with off-roaders year-round. With dunes of warm, pink sand, it’s a genuinely picturesque area, whether you’re exploring the off-road playground or just leaving footprints in the soft sand.

Take a stroll among mature piñon, ponderosa, and juniper trees, then kick off your shoes to leave your own footprints in the crimson-orange dunes. Ongoing erosion of the nearby Navajo sandstone cliffs is what continues to shape these unusual formations.

Close to Zion National Park to the southeast, the dunes have become a popular spot for off-road vehicles. If you haven’t visited, you’re missing a genuinely beautiful sunset over the cliffs and dunes.

Pioneer Heritage Museum

The Pioneer Heritage Museum sits within Hurricane Valley Pioneer Heritage Park. It’s a small museum, but its collection includes a few genuinely eccentric items: a reverently preserved 1907 fruitcake and a slab of 1940s bacon, both still holding together after all these years.

There’s plenty of other local history to discover here too, including beautifully preserved wagons and barns from the early 1900s. It’s a worthwhile stop for a look at the area’s past.

Final Thoughts

Hurricane, Utah, is more than just a gateway to Zion National Park, it’s a destination full of its own charm, adventure, and breathtaking scenery. From red rock trails and serene reservoirs to local eateries and cultural spots, there’s something here for every type of traveler. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline, relaxation, or a bit of both, Hurricane offers the perfect base for exploring Southern Utah’s natural wonders.