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Desert Canyons Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 48 Google reviews · Running trail in St. George, Utah · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Desert Canyons Trailhead'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.

Natural surfaceScenicTrailhead parking

Network of well-maintained loops for hikers, mountain bikers, and runners on private land.

What runners say about Desert Canyons Trailhead

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (48 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 4 mentions

“Great trail system, well maintained and provides a good variety of running with roughly 15 miles of trails.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 4 mentions

“Great views and the trail is mostly a green trail rated blue because of some exposure.”

The 5 star rating is for the trail system more than the parking lot. Did a fun and flowing ride of 24 km. Great views and the trail is mostly a green trail rated blue because of some exposure. Well worth the short drive from St George

★★★★★ — Dwayne , Oct 2019

Great little trail system. Pushing Tin has some moderately technical spots. Secret Sauce I usually ride downhill - it’s bumpy but fun. Claim Jumper is probably my favorite of the three, both up and down it has the most flowy spots.

★★★★★ — Cory , Jun 2025

This place is fun for the whole family. One of the few trails that are not super technical on St. George.

★★★★★ — Andrew , Jun 2020

Amazing spot. Nice state championships are held here every year in October (make sure you don't come to joyride on those days as there's thousands of people) Lots of parking Longer options or shorter easier routes. Wonderful owners let the public have access

★★★★★ — Eli , Jan 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 48 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.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 8 mentions

“This Meditation Rock parking area only has spaces for five or six cars but just across the highway to the north is a giant parking lot you can use to access the same trails.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 6 mentions

“Great views and the trail is mostly a green trail rated blue because of some exposure.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“One of the few trails that are not super technical on St.”

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Plan your run at Desert Canyons Trailhead

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners

Hours

Monday 8 AM–5 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–5 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–5 PM
Thursday 8 AM–5 PM
Friday 8 AM–5 PM
Saturday 8 AM–5 PM
Sunday 8 AM–5 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 Desert Canyons Trailhead

SG-6745-G, 2, St. George, UT 84790

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.

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Crosby Family Confluence Park

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LoopPavedScenic

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

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Virgin River Trailhead

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LoopPavedScenic

Paved trail for hikers and bikers along the Virgin River, offering views of ancient bluffs.

5.7 miles away

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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.