If you are looking for some classic St George red rocks close to town, look no further than Pioneer Rim Trail in Pioneer Park. Pioneer Rim traverses a unique redrock formation stretching from Dixie Rock on the east side to T Bone Trailhead on the west side. If you hike the entire trail, it is a 3.8 mile out and back with a few hundred feet of elevation gain.
Most people opt to spend their time on the westernmost one-mile segment of the trail that features Dixie Rock, numerous historical markers, slot canyons, arches, and hundreds of different sandstone rocks that can be explored off trail.
Pioneer Rim Trail connects on the east and west side to other trail networks within the Red Desert Reserve. This trail network spans all the way to Leeds from Snow Canyon and north to the Pine Valley area of Dixie National Forest. Most trails within this area including Pioneer Rim Trail, are open to hikers, bikers, and horses.
Even if you aren’t up for a hike, the parking areas spanning Pioneer Park have excellent views of the city and the red rocks. It’s also a great place to watch the sunset and the city lights after dark with an ice cream cone from downtown.
Regardless of how you choose to enjoy this area, make sure to do it soon. With the recent approval of the Northern Corridor, when built, will either parallel or eliminate most of this trail. So enjoy it while it’s a part of the area!
