HomeUtahSt. George › Cottonwood Cove Park

Cottonwood Cove Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 369 Google reviews · Running trail in St. George, Utah · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Tree cover
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Cottonwood Cove Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

PavedShadedScenicRestroomsQuiet

Kid-friendly amusement park with swings, slides and picnic tables.

What runners say about Cottonwood Cove Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (369 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Cottonwood Cove connects to the Santa Clara River Trail, a beautiful paved path that winds alongside the river with scenic desert views.”

🌳 shaded & cool 5 mentions

“There’s plenty of open space, shaded areas, and even swinging benches for those of us who like to relax while keeping an eye on the action.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 3 mentions

“It’s part of the city’s trail system, which stretches over 60 miles, and it’s perfect for walking, biking, or just taking a peaceful stroll.”

Beautiful scenic park with great playground equipment and picnic pavilion. Paved bicycle path, water and restrooms.

★★★★★ — Mark , Jun 2022

We recently visited Cottonwood Cove Park in St. George, Utah, and had such a great time! The playground was a huge hit—tons of fun equipment that kept everyone entertained. There’s plenty of open space, shaded areas, and even swinging benches for those of us who like to relax while keeping an eye on the action.

★★★★★ — Exploring , Mar 2025

Small park but plenty of playground for kids. Plenty of shade either under a tree or a pavilion to picnic. There is some grass space but it may be hard to do activities under tree shade! There is a trail to walk/run. There are a couple parking spots (about 4) with shade for your car but they may be taken.

★★★★☆ — Casey , Jun 2023

This park is fun for older children. There are unique structures they really enjoyed. While visiting St. George, we rode our bikes down the paved trail here and then the kids played. It is a good incentive to get the kids out in their bikes!

★★★★★ — Mindy , Oct 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 369 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 9 mentions

“Cottonwood Cove connects to the Santa Clara River Trail, a beautiful paved path that winds alongside the river with scenic desert views.”

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🌳 Shaded / tree cover 5 mentions

“There’s plenty of open space, shaded areas, and even swinging benches for those of us who like to relax while keeping an eye on the action.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 3 mentions

“Cottonwood Cove connects to the Santa Clara River Trail, a beautiful paved path that winds alongside the river with scenic desert views.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“Walking and riding trails Restrooms Fun play ground Nice shade and grass.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 3 mentions

“It’s part of the city’s trail system, which stretches over 60 miles, and it’s perfect for walking, biking, or just taking a peaceful stroll.”

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Plan your run at Cottonwood Cove Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
  • At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitesgcity.org
  • Phone(435) 627-4000

Hours

Monday 6 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 6 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 6 AM–10 PM
Thursday 6 AM–10 PM
Friday 6 AM–10 PM
Saturday 6 AM–10 PM
Sunday 6 AM–10 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Cottonwood Cove Park

1027 S Dixie Dr, St. George, UT 84770

Get directions

Running trails near St. George

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Zen Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 34 reviews

St. George, UT

LoopNatural surfaceScenic

under a mile away

Temple Quarry Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 190 reviews

St. George, UT

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Easy trail for all ages, with views of the surrounding area and the occasional bench.

1.3 miles away

Crosby Family Confluence Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 365 reviews

St. George, UT

LoopPavedScenic

Grassy green space offering paved trails for walking and biking, plus picnic tables and pavilions.

2.1 miles away

Brooks Nature Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 258 reviews

St. George, UT

LoopCrushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Small park featuring a pond with wildlife and a trail, plus picnic areas.

2.4 miles away

Owens Loop Trailhead

4.4 ★★★★☆ 66 reviews

St. George, UT

LoopNatural surfaceShadedLit

Trail featuring views of the city and redrock formations.

2.6 miles away

Pioneer Park

4.8 ★★★★★ 3,878 reviews

St. George, UT

Scenic

Rocky 52-acre park featuring Dixie Rock, views of the city, hiking, BBQs & a covered pavilion.

2.6 miles away

All running trails in St. George, UT →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.