You do not need a hard trail or a long drive to get kids out on the red rock here. Within an hour of Sunshine Suites there are short, easy hikes at Snow Canyon, Zion, and right in St. George, most of them under a couple of miles and flat enough for small legs. Here are the ones we send families to first, with lengths and difficulty so you can match the trail to the kid.
The short version
- Closest: Snow Canyon, about 10 minutes
- In town: Pioneer Park, short slickrock scrambles
- Easy classics: Zion's Riverside Walk and Emerald Pools
- Seasonal: Gunlock Falls in spring
- Bring: water, sun protection, a morning start
What are the best easy hikes for kids near St. George?
The best easy hikes for kids here are short, mostly flat, and close. The Petrified Dunes and Jenny’s Canyon at Snow Canyon are both about ten minutes from the house, one a climbable sandstone playground and the other a quick half-mile slot canyon. Pioneer Park, right in St. George and about ten minutes away, is free slickrock the kids can scramble on for an hour. Gunlock Falls, roughly twenty-five minutes out, runs as a spring waterfall over the rock. For a dedicated day trip about fifty minutes each way, Zion has the Riverside Walk, a flat paved 2.2 mile out-and-back along the river, and the Lower Emerald Pool at about 1.2 miles that ends at a waterfall. None of these need special gear, just water, sun protection, and decent shoes. Here are the ones we send families to first, with lengths and difficulty.
| Trail | Where | Round trip | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrified Dunes | Snow Canyon, ~10 min | ~1.5 mi | Climbable sandstone |
| Jenny’s Canyon | Snow Canyon, ~10 min | ~0.5 mi | Short slot canyon |
| Pioneer Park | St. George, ~10 min | short loops | Slickrock scrambles in town |
| Gunlock Falls | Gunlock, ~25 min | ~1.2 mi | Spring waterfalls |
| Riverside Walk | Zion, ~50 min | 2.2 mi | Flat, paved, along the river |
| Lower Emerald Pool | Zion, ~50 min | 1.2 mi | Easy, ends at a waterfall |
Which hikes are closest to the house?
Snow Canyon is the closest real trailhead at about ten minutes, with the Petrified Dunes and Jenny’s Canyon both short and kid-friendly. Pioneer Park is even closer, right in St. George, with free slickrock to scramble on. Save the Zion trails for a dedicated day, since the drive is about fifty minutes each way. The Riverside Walk is the one our families with strollers finish without complaint.
What should you bring on a desert hike with kids?
Three things matter most: more water than you think, sun protection, and closed-toe shoes for the rock. Start in the morning before the heat, especially in summer, and turn around earlier than you planned if anyone is fading. There is very little shade out here, so plan around it.
When is hiking most comfortable?
Spring and fall are ideal, with comfortable temperatures most of the day. Summer is hot, so hike early and keep the afternoons for the resort pool. Winter is mild and quiet, which makes the in-town and lower trails pleasant year round.
Where can we read more about each spot?
We have full guides to the big ones: Snow Canyon State Park, the Zion day trip, and Sand Hollow and Gunlock. The whole area guide is on things to do near Sunshine Suites.
Sources: National Park Service; Utah State Parks. Updated June 2026.
Trails, then the pool
Hike in the morning, swim by afternoon
Family-friendly trails are minutes away, and the lazy river is waiting when you get back. 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.