If you live in the Southern Utah desert or in Las Vegas, Nevada, you know that the summer heat can be one of the most challenging times of the year. Whether you’re in St. George, Hurricane, Las Vegas or other close towns and cities, taking a weekend trip to Virgin, Utah and Zion National Park is a great destination to cool off and relax. With the crystal clear Virgin River, clean reservoirs and glamping retreats, Virgin is the perfect place to escape the heat in Las Vegas or St. George and enjoy the beauty surrounding Zion National Park.
Best Places for Swimming and Cooling Off Near Virgin, Utah
Tubing with Zion Tubing
When it comes to water activities near Las Vegas and St. George, nothing beats a relaxing river float with Zion Tubing on the Virgin River. This is the ultimate way to cool off and enjoy the red rocks and let the mellow current of the water guide you. This is a great activity for families, friends and couples looking for a refreshing way to escape the summer heat in Utah or other surrounding cities. There are plenty of locations along the Virgin River for a quick dip to cool off as well, both during your tubing adventure, and on your own during your stay.
Sand Hollow State Park
If you are looking for a larger body of water to go paddle boarding, boating and swimming near Virgin, Utah, Sand Hollow State Park is your best bet. The stunning rock formations of the Utah desert and the sandy beaches and surrounding this picturesque reservoir make it the perfect location to post up and relax all day.
Quail Creek State Park
If you want a more quiet place to swim near Zion, Quail Creek State Park is an excellent alternative to Sand Hollow State Park. This is another great location for kayaking and swimming, and the water is colder and more refreshing than Sand Hollow. The clear water at Quail Creek State Park and the cooler temperatures make it one of the best swimming holes near Las Vegas, Nevada and St. George for cooling off away from the city.
Virgin, Utah: The Best Place to Escape the Heat in Las Vegas
Virgin, Utah, is known as the gateway to Zion National Park, but it’s also a desert oasis offering a variety of glamping experiences and places to swim and float down the Virgin River. If you want a weekend trip near Las Vegas during the hottest months, Virgin has everything you need for a relaxing escape filled with nature, rivers and fancy places to camp and “glamp” for a few days! Here are some of the best places to stay in Virgin whether you are planning a high-scale “glamping” trip to Zion, a romantic getaway or are taking a family weekend trip from St. George.
Open Sky
For a high-end, glamping experience for couples, we recommend the luxurious Open Sky. This glamping experience offers lavish tents with very nice beds and views of the cliffs with plenty of privacy. It’s the perfect romantic getaway in Southern Utah for relaxation with a rugged backdrop. This is the place to go if you want to decompress, take in the nature views and do absolutely nothing, but relax!
AutoCamp Zion
The best camping experience for families traveling with kids near Zion is AutoCamp. This “glamping” experience offers converted Airstreams, making your stay more comfortable. They include amenities such as a clubhouse and a fire pit, which is ideal when traveling with your kids. It’s the perfect way to get out in nature with the family and give your children some freedom in a safe environment near Zion National Park.
Zion River Resort
For a classic camping experience, stay at the Zion River Resort, which is conveniently located where we disembark from tubing the river. This camping and RV park is our top choice for a traditional camping experience for a weekend away in Utah. Located just a few minutes from Zion National Park with well-maintained facilities, it’s the perfect place to enjoy nature with ease and be located close to Zion Tubing and the popular hikes of Zion. This is a family-friendly environment and has a playground and pool on the property for everyone to enjoy.
Zion Wildflower
Another family-friendly glamping location, (one of our favorites at Zion Tubing), is Zion Wildflower. This is a community-oriented glamping experience offering lawn games, fire pits with s’mores every evening and a mixture of canvas glamping and luxury bungalows. The views are stunning, and this private resort is very secluded and tucked away in nature. Our favorite part of Zion Wildflower is the red rock formation intertwined with the pool. The kids absolutely go crazy about this exciting pool experience!
Zion White Bison
This luxury glamping resort in Virgin is a mix of rustic western charm with high-class amenities. You can choose to stay in several accommodations, including a covered wagon, teepee, or cliff dwelling. This is a great place to go glamping near Zion and the property even has a bison sanctuary, so you can view white bison on the property during your stay. This unique charm definitely makes Zion White Bison an adventure of its own- it’s the only place we’ve ever stayed where you can hang out with wild bison!
Why Virgin, Utah is the Perfect Summer Escape?
Close Proximity to Major Cities
Virgin, Utah is less than three hours from Las Vegas, making it a perfect location for a summer getaway from the bustling sin city. It’s also near the Southern Utah hub of St. George, making it accessible for locals to enjoy a staycation or head to the Virgin River to cool off during the day. It’s a central location with fresh water for swimming and an abundance of fancy, glamping opportunities for people to take a road trip from Vegas or a quick drive from nearby towns.
Variety of Places to Cool Off
Whether you want to float down the Virgin River with Zion Tubing or go paddle boarding or kayaking at Sand Hollow or Quail Creek, the amount of places to swim in the desert around here is a rare gem. There aren’t many places like Zion, where you can go on a world-class hike, then take a dip in the river or reservoir to cool down!
Glamping Capital of Utah
With all the luxurious glamping opportunities popping up, Virgin has become the “glamping” capital of Utah because of the high-class amenities and comfortable outdoor stays. If you want a bougie couple’s retreat or a family-friendly escape, Virgin has a wide variety of glamping opportunities that are all so incredible and unique- it will be hard to decide which one to book!
Zion National Park
Obviously, if you live in the area or let alone live in the United States, you know that Zion National Park is a massive playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Enjoy some of Zion’s incredible hikes early in the day so you can relax in the river when it gets super hot.
Plan Your Summer Escape from Las Vegas
Make sure to not just hide in the air conditioning all summer and still get outside and enjoy nature. Planning a trip to Virgin, Utah to enjoy some of the best swimming holes near St. George and glamping opportunities near Las Vegas is the perfect opportunity for a summer getaway. Virgin should be your next go to destination with everything it offers. Start planning your summer escape in the little oasis of Virgin, Utah today and escape the heat in Las Vegas!
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