Places that linger in my memory are those that lie side by side with today’s natural world, bearing tangible evidence of our long history on earth. Red Hills Desert Garden does just this—and for free. 

Just southwest of Zion National Park, and 50 miles from the tri-state conjunction of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, sits Red Hills Desert Garden in St. George, Utah. An easy stop for locals, road trippers, and state park hoppers, the gardens host thousands of curious visitors every year. 

Following one of the many garden paths, I saw evidence of both prehistoric and modern life as I walked through the garden—which today features sage varieties, blooming flowers, cacti, native plants, and a replica slot canyon—reminding me of an important truth: this land was here long before me, and it will remain long after I’m gone.

The gardens are an ideal way to start the day with an early-morning walk or to take in a sunset from atop nearby Pioneer Park. It’s easy to explore beyond the park’s boundaries with direct access to the numerous hiking trails at Pioneer Park, which offer scenic views of town and slot canyons and connect to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.  

A few of my favorites from the garden include the 1,150-foot stream—stocked with some of the rarest fish on earth—designed to mimic the Virgin River, a 162-mile tributary of the Colorado River that runs through St. George, and the visible ancient fossils, dinosaur footprints, and swim tracks—marks created by dinosaur tails and toes brushing against the mud 193 million years ago.  

It’s a peaceful place with many paths to disperse its visitors, and it’s accessible, offering restrooms, water fountains, and benches for garden gazing. On-leash pets are welcome here, and the garden is open all day from sunrise to 10 p.m.