Owen's Loop

3 mi RT
easy
year round

Owen’s Loop Trail is a classic St. George area hike perfect for the whole family. This hike follows the edge of the cliffs above downtown St. George, offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding areas. This trail is easy to moderately difficult with some steep slopes and uneven terrain. Most healthy adults and children will enjoy this hike, but watch children closely as there are exposed cliff edges along the trail.

Trailhead

The Owen’s Loop Trail hike begins at Brook’s Nature Park at 452 North Main Street in St. George, UT (37.115980, -113.583094).

From I-15

Take Exit 8 from I-15 onto St. George Blvd.
Turn west onto St. George Blvd and continue for 1.3 miles.
Turn right onto Main Street and continue for about 0.4 miles to the end of the road at Brook’s Nature Park.
Parking and picnic facilities are available at Brook’s Nature Park, but there are no restrooms.

The Hike

From Brook’s Nature Park, begin hiking up the trail at the north end of the park. This first section of the hike follows the Brook’s Nature Park Trail, which provides access to Owen’s Loop. The Owen’s Loop Trail officially begins at the top of the gully, about a quarter mile from the trailhead.

Continue past a small pond and an amphitheater as the trail climbs up the steep gully. After about a quarter mile, the trail arrives at the junction with the Owen’s Loop Trail and the paved Red Hills Parkway Trail (37.118979, -113.583035). Turn left onto the Owen’s Loop Trail.

The trail is usually very easy to follow but at times may require extra attention where it passes over areas of slickrock. There are frequent trail markers along the way to aid in navigation. At approximately 0.8 miles, the junction for the City Creek Trail appears on the right (37.120096, -113.588716). Continue on the Owen’s Loop Trail as it turns to the north and follows the cliffs above St. George.

At about 1.2 miles, the trail crosses over a ridge to the final loop section of the trail. This short section of trail is the most difficult to follow, so keep an eye out for rock cairns and other trail markers. Beyond the ridge, the trail arrives at the junction for the loop that gives the trail its name. Follow the loop in either direction to find panoramic views and plenty of places to sit down and take it all in. The loop itself is about a quarter mile long. Return back to the trailhead the way you came. Total round trip distance from Brook’s Nature Park is approximately 3.5 miles.

Rules and Regulations

Dogs must be leashed.
Clean up after pets.
No littering.
Special Considerations

This hike can be very hot during the summer and in the middle of the day. No shade is available. Bring plenty of water for each member of your group. Hike in the morning or evening for cooler temperatures.


Hiking Southern Utah: Owen’s Loop

Trail: Owen’s Loop

Location: Directly above St. George near Pioneer Park (see “Access” below)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Distance: 3.25 to 3.5 miles (depending on trailhead)

Average Time: 2 hours

Total elevation gain: approximately 300 feet

Kid/Family Friendly? Yes, with caution at points

Hiking Southern Utah Owen's LoopWith clifftop views of St. George, easy and fun rock scrambling, and a moderate grade, the Owen’s Loop Trail is a fantastic semi-urban adventure that rewards the hiker with outstanding vistas without being overly difficult. This is a popular trail with families, runners, and mountain bikers, so solitude should not be expected. It is an excellent option when the neighboring Pioneer Park is filled to capacity.

Access: There are several way to access this trail. The first option is to begin at Pioneer Park, walk under Red Hills Parkway via the pedestrian tunnel, and head northwest along the paved path. Continue past Skyline Drive for a few hundred yards until the stepover is reached and the trail begins.
The second option is to park at Brooks Nature Park at the far northern end of Main Street in St. George. Find the path behind the pond and head uphill for a quarter mile where it meets the Owen’s Loop Trail at the same stepover mentioned above. The trail can also be reached via the City Creek connector trail accessed from the Pioneer Hills trailhead and then followed south for a little over a half mile to its junction with Owen’s Loop.

The trail itself quickly leads to scenic viewpoints overlooking the city but then winds in and out of beautiful sandstone crags before returning to the dramatic views. Occasional views north to the Pioneer Hills, T-Bone Butte, and the Pine Valley Mountains beyond can be seen. Yet it is the views of the city to the south that make this hike so spectacular.

Hiking Southern Utah Owen's LoopThis hike makes an excellent option for families with children, but there are sections where sheer drop-offs are encountered and the utmost caution must be used with little hikers. However, the trail doesn’t gain a large amount of elevation, the views of the city are superb, and the scrambling enjoyable. And despite being so close to the urban edge of the city, there are still ample opportunities for wildlife viewing, with lizards, snakes, rabbits, and birds all commonly seen.

At around 0.75 miles, the Owen’s Loop Trail intersects with the City Creek Connector Trail. Stay left at this junction and continue traversing along the ridgetop, enjoying the views of the city and the houses almost directly below the trail.

After another 0.75 miles, the trail will reach the small loop at the end of the red rock mesa. Take the right hand branch and hike for a quarter mile around the end of cliffs, with views of the Dixie Red Hills Golf Course looking like a verdant oasis set among the red rocks below and the Santa Clara area just beyond. The trail loops back around (with the Bluff Street Cracks climbing area on the cliffs below) to connect with the main trail. When you’re ready to return, hike the trail in the opposite direction back to the trailhead.