If you want a day on the water, Sand Hollow is the spot. Sand Hollow is a warm, red-sand reservoir about thirty minutes from Sunshine Suites, with calm water for boating and swimming and 15,000 acres of sand dunes next door for off-road riding. It is the trip our guests with teenagers ask about most. A little farther out, Gunlock has a set of seasonal waterfalls that flow in spring when the reservoir spills over. Here is what to expect at both, the 2026 fees, and when to go.
Sand Hollow at a glance
- Drive: about 30 minutes from the house
- Entry: $25 per vehicle (2026)
- On the water: boating, swimming, fishing
- On land: Sand Mountain ORV dunes, 15,000 acres
- Source: Utah State Parks, stateparks.utah.gov
How far is Sand Hollow from Sunshine Suites?
About thirty minutes. Sand Hollow sits roughly 13 miles east of St. George near Hurricane, an easy run on the interstate, which makes it a relaxed half or full day rather than a big expedition: load the cooler in the morning, spend the afternoon on the water, and be back at the resort pool by evening. The draw is the reservoir, where warm water and red sandstone make for easy boating, swimming, and fishing, plus a sandy beach for little kids. Right next door is Sand Mountain, about 15,000 acres of off-highway dunes that draw the ATV and dune-buggy crowd. Entry is $25 per vehicle in 2026. For families who want a beach day with a desert backdrop, or a group that rents a boat for the afternoon, it is the closest real water park in the natural sense. Here is what to know before you go.
What can you do at Sand Hollow?
Two very different things: water and dunes. The reservoir is warm and calm for boating, swimming, and fishing, and right beside it is Sand Mountain, a huge field of red sand dunes that off-road riders love. Here is the quick rundown, including the 2026 day-use fee.
| Activity | Detail |
|---|---|
| Boating and fishing | Warm Sand Hollow Reservoir, ramps on site |
| Swimming | Calm, warm water with red-sand beaches |
| Off-road and dunes | Sand Mountain, about 15,000 acres of dunes |
| Day-use fee (2026) | $25 per vehicle |
Are there really waterfalls at Gunlock?
Sometimes, and that is the honest answer. Gunlock State Park is about 25 minutes northwest of the house, and its waterfalls only appear when the reservoir fills and spills over the rock, usually for a few weeks in spring after a wet winter. When they are flowing, the falls over the red rock are a beautiful, easy walk for families. When they are not, Gunlock is still a quiet reservoir for a paddle. We always check current conditions with Utah State Parks before sending anyone to Gunlock just for the falls, because the window is short.
Is it good for families?
Very. The warm, calm water at Sand Hollow is easy for little kids to swim in, the beaches are made for digging, and older kids love the dunes. We have had whole families spend a full day here and barely touch the dunes, there is that much to do. Gunlock Falls, when running, is a short and gentle walk. Pack water, sunscreen, and shade, because there is not much of it out there.
When should you go?
Late spring through early fall is prime time for the water, and summer is when the warm reservoir feels best. If you are chasing the Gunlock waterfalls, spring is your only real window. For the rest of the area, see things to do near Sunshine Suites.
Source: Utah State Parks (stateparks.utah.gov). Updated June 2026.
A day on the water
Stay 30 minutes from Sand Hollow
Boating, dunes, and red-sand beaches, then home to the resort pool. Sleeps up to 20 from $599 a night.
By Marchele Oldham, Owner & Host · Updated June 2026
I host Sunshine Suites, our 7-bedroom home for big families and groups at Paradise Village at Zion in Santa Clara, Utah. After years of welcoming reunions, teams, and multi-generational trips, I write these pages from what our guests actually ask and experience. Questions about your dates? Call or text +1 801-400-9274.