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Scout Cave
4.7 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Running trail in St. George, Utah · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 3.5 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Scout Cave'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.
Hiking route through desert terrain featuring a cave, waterfalls and lava fields.
What runners say about Scout Cave
“Beautiful hike through varied terrain, well-marked trail, and a good vertical challenge up to the cave at the end.”
“There are parts with shade, and the terrain varies from rocky, sandy and climbing into small caverns.”
“Beautiful hike through varied terrain, well-marked trail, and a good vertical challenge up to the cave at the end.”
DO NOT follow your GPS! Plug in Johnson Canyon parking area and the trailhead's right across the street. The trail is very well marked. Loved this hike. Little rock climbing, amazing views, shady spots. Will definitely go back before I leave the area.
This trail shared with the same trailhead as Johnson Canyon and shares an unattended parking lot 🅿️. In State $10, Out State $15, , take Mobile payment. The trail passes through a mixture of several different surfaces, including ancient lava fields, sandy outwash river beds, and rocky cliff edges.
We loved this hike! We have kids ranging from 5-16 years old. Our youngest 2 do not like hiking. It was a little long for them & harder at the very end. But, we did it! We found a desert tortoise & we loved the cave. It would be very hot during the summer months. We hiked last week in 70 degree weather & it was hot.
Super chill hike, flat like 80% of the way, and anything not flat was a easy uphill, super suitable for younger kids or dogs. Long enough to feel it a little in the legs 😂. The scenery was great in April when we’d gone, things were still green and it wasn’t a billion degrees, so traverse at your own risk in August!
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful hike through varied terrain, well-marked trail, and a good vertical challenge up to the cave at the end.”
“Make it a short 2 mile round trip from the nearby road or a full 6 mile hike from the trailhead at the entrance to Snow Canyon.”
“Super chill hike, flat like 80% of the way, and anything not flat was a easy uphill, super suitable for younger kids or dogs.”
“The trail passes through a mixture of several different surfaces, including ancient lava fields, sandy outwash river beds, and rocky cliff edges.”
“There are parts with shade, and the terrain varies from rocky, sandy and climbing into small caverns.”
“Super chill hike, flat like 80% of the way, and anything not flat was a easy uphill, super suitable for younger kids or dogs.”
“Beautiful hike through varied terrain, well-marked trail, and a good vertical challenge up to the cave at the end.”
“Great hike, fairly easy with very light scrambling up to the cave.”
Plan your run at Scout Cave
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance3.5 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteredcliffsdesertreserve.com
- Phone(435) 634-5759
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
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.
Johnson Canyon Trailhead (Fee Area)
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Jenny's Canyon Trail
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Chuckwalla Trail Head
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Berm Trail - Ivins Trailhead
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