I was excited to run the Virgin River Trail in St. George. It offers a peaceful environment, meandering through residential areas with gorgeous canyon scenery throughout. I was lucky to run there twice, and I cannot wait to come back in the future.
About the Virgin River Trail:
Miles: 12 point-to-point
Elevation: 239 feet
Virgin River Trailhead (Multiple entrances):
1050 S Cir, St. George, UT 84790
N Main St, Hurricane, UT 84737
Sullivan Virgin River Soccer Park Address: 965 S Washington Fields Rd, Washington, UT 84780
Gear Used:
Any good pair of walking/hiking/running shoes is suitable. The trail is entirely paved.
The Virgin River Trail in St. George, Utah, stretches nearly 12 miles along the Virgin River. It’s a fully paved path and you’ll probably see hikers, dog walkers, runners, and cyclists. It’s a great area for a family walk or your own fitness time. Multiple entry points along the trail mean you don’t have to go the entire length and you can pick and choose what scenery you want to see during your adventure.
The northern section is particularly spectacular. For stunning views, start at the Sullivan Virgin River Soccer Park, then proceed up the boardwalk to encounter steep hills and the Virgin River. This section features a few rolling hills.
Another fun area is the man-made waterfall at Fossil Falls. It’s a popular spot for swimming in the summer. You get to see the water cascading over manmade waterfalls, how fun! As far as nature, during my run, I saw plenty of birds, especially ducks in the water. Plus many areas of the Virgin River Trail are lined with trees.
My Experience at the Virgin River Trail:
I was excited to discover a new rail-to-trail path. Always in search of running routes when traveling, the Virgin River Trail appeared great. I started towards the southern end and headed north. The southernmost parts run parallel to car traffic, so it feels less secluded but you don’t have to cross roads, so that’s ideal.
Moving north, I eventually hit Fossil Falls and the manmade waterfall. At first, I was like what is that roaring noise? Then realized it was the waterfalls. It looked like they are doing construction for a playground for children nearby too.
From there, I continued another couple of miles north to Sullivan Virgin River Soccer Park. Along the way, there are a couple of boardwalks you get to go across. Since it was cold, they were icy and slippery. The area north of Sullivan Virgin River Soccer Park is a highlight. It resembles a miniature Grand Canyon that you’re exploring. While I regret not taking more photos, I was focused on a productive, uninterrupted run. If I started again, I would definitely start at the Sullivan Virgin River Soccer Park, it has the best views.
Virgin River Trail Conclusion:
If you find yourself in St. George, the Virgin River Trail is a must-visit. It offers scenic views on a paved path, ideal for any workout. It’s not an intense, mountain-climbing, rocky trail, but rather a perfect paved route for staying active.
You can see more trail running and hikes here.
Questions for you:
What is your favorite area for running?
What is the most scenic area you’ve been too?