Chuckwalla Trail

Alex Cabrero
Aug 17
4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Desert trail with red rocky cliffs and sparse vegetation under a cloudy sky. Rocky terrain with distant hills creates a rugged landscape. — *Starting the Chuckwalla Trail hike near the trailhead*

(St. George) Sometimes you don’t hike a trail just for the scenery. Sometimes you hike it because you need space to think, to breathe, and maybe to make some big life decisions. For me, the Chuckwalla Trail in St. George was exactly that. Aspen and I wandered out here on a quiet day and it turned out to be the perfect reset button.

Rocky red dirt path in arid desert landscape, surrounded by sparse bushes and distant reddish hills under a cloudy sky. — *The red rock trail is easy to follow*

The Chuckwalla Trail is an easy, scenic hike that winds its way through some red rock formations and desert brush. I mapped it at 1.9 miles roundtrip, starting from the trailhead and heading to the end and back. You could do this trail in flip-flops, if you wanted to. But if you do it in the summer, make sure you bring water. It can get very hot out here.

Close-up of a fallen tree trunk with rough, textured bark in a lush forest. Sunlight filters through green leaves, creating a peaceful scene. — *Some trees give you a nice spot for a break*

There's a spot toward the end of the trail where you can get under some trees for shade. This is nice if you're hiking in the hot summer sun. I think the trees are cottonwoods. They look old and I can't imagine how many years they have been providing shade for hikers.

Red rock formations under a partly cloudy blue sky, with sparse desert vegetation in the foreground, creating a serene, natural scene. — *The red rock formations and walls are beautiful*

The trail is well-marked, wide enough in most spots, and just about anyone could enjoy it. If you like taking pictures, this place is perfect. If you're just starting out as a photographer, I think this is a great place to practice landscape shots. There are shadows, colors, and plenty of rock formations to set your guidelines and horizon shots. It's one of those scenic hikes in St. George where you can't really take a bad picture.

Trail sign in desert landscape directs horse riding, hiking, and biking. Text: "RED CLIFFS," "CHUCKWALLA," "BECK HILL," "EASIEST." — *There's a trail sign about a mile into the trail that marks the end of Chuckwalla*

There’s even a trail sign at the end of the Chuckwalla Trail pointing you toward other trails, such as Beck Hill, Turtle Wall, and Paradise Rim... if you’re looking to keep the adventure going. I stuck to Chuckwalla this time, but I took a photo of that trail sign like a good blogger should.

Smiling man in a light shirt takes a selfie on a dusty trail with a happy black dog approaching. Desert landscape, red rocks, and cloudy sky. — *Aspen and I enjoying a nice, easy trail*

Chuckwalla is a dog-friendly trail (on-leash, officially). And yes, Aspen was leashed when people were around. But when it was just us, I unclipped her for a bit. She has excellent recall, and I think she appreciated the freedom. Watching her bound up the trail like it was made just for her was almost as healing as the hike itself.

Climber ascends a red rock cliff under a partly cloudy sky, while another person watches below. Rugged desert landscape surrounds them. — *A popular climbing rock wall near the start of the trail*

Along the way, Aspen and I saw rock climbers scaling sandstone walls, a few birds overhead, and plenty of those iconic St. George red rocks glowing in the sun. Even though most people hike this trail, mountain bikers use it, too. Chuckwalla leads to several other trails I think mountain bikers would love.

Shoe prints with zigzag patterns on reddish-brown dirt, scattered rocks, and twigs. Dry landscape with textured soil surface. — *Footprints and tire tracks in the red sand*

Along the way, you'll hike in spots where you can see water has eroded the sand and created a little gully. Kind of a mini Grand Canyon... or, at least you can understand how the Grand Canyon was created over bajillions of years of water eroding the rock and sand. Here at the Chuckwalla, it's just a neat little feature to ponder.

Dry, narrow sandy ravine with reddish-brown earth. Sparse shrubs on sides. Cloudy sky above; distant green trees add contrast. — *A little water drainage channel in the red sand*

What made this hike special for me wasn’t just the beauty, though it has plenty of that. It came at a time when I was weighing some big job and life decisions. My brain was noisy, but this trail helped quiet it down. Something about the way the sunlight hits those cliffs, the stillness of the desert air, and the sound of Aspen's paws crunching the sand gave me the peace and clarity I needed. I only saw four other people here on the day I hiked Chuckwalla. It's funny in a way... you think you’re out hiking for exercise, but sometimes the best hikes aren't the toughest ones. They're the ones that meet you exactly where you are.

Red rock formations and desert shrubs under a cloudy sky. A sandy trail winds through the rugged landscape, evoking a serene, natural mood. — *The peace and quiet here is perfect*

The Chuckwalla Trail isn't the longest trail, the it was enough to give me exactly what I needed: a peaceful couple of miles to clear my head. Aspen wagged her tail the whole way, which tells me she approved too.

Black dog standing on a red rock with a rugged red rock backdrop and green shrubs. The dog looks happy with its tongue out. — *Aspen is getting so good at posing for pictures*

If you’re in St. George and need a trail that combines scenic red rock, an easy path, and maybe a bit of unexpected perspective, this is the one.

Desert path with red sand and sparse dry bushes, bordered by a rustic wooden fence. Cloudy sky and distant rocky hills set the scene. — *There's an old wooden fence along some parts of the trail*

Length: ~1.9 miles roundtrip (just Chuckwalla itself).
Difficulty: Easy, family- and dog-friendly.
Wildlife: Birds, rabbits, maybe a desert tortoise if you’re lucky. Gila monsters are said to roam these parts too, so keep an eye out but don’t expect them to pose for selfies the way Aspen does.
Extras: If you want to extend the hike, check out Turtle Wall or Paradise Rim from the end of the trail.

Sign at Chuckwalla Trailhead shows a map of Paradise Canyon with trail info, safety tips, and regulations in a desert setting with red rocks. — *Information Sign at the trailhead*

TRAILHEAD LOCATION

From St. George, head north on Bluff Street. Keep right towards Enterprise and continue straight as the road turns into Hwy 18. In 0.1 miles, immediately take the first left turn onto Country Road and park at the trailhead. 37.138278, -113.604722

Five parked cars, including SUVs, on a gravel lot with a wooden fence. Overcast sky and mountains in the background. License plates visible. — *Trailhead Parking*

There are also toilets at the trailhead parking lot and picnic tables under a covered gazebo.

Picnic area with metal tables under a patterned canopy. Desert landscape and mountains in the background. Clear skies, tranquil setting. — *Picnic tables at the trailhead parking lot*

Red rock formations under a partly cloudy sky with scattered desert vegetation in the foreground, creating a rugged and arid landscape. — *Red rock formations along the trail*

Rocky dirt path beside a red cliff under cloudy sky. Sparse vegetation and rocks scattered along the trail, with a fence in the distance. — *Looking up at the trailhead*

Man smiling in a desert path selfie with a black dog in the background. Green shrubs and red rock formations under a cloudy sky. — *Aspen and I enjoying a peaceful hike*

Orange sandstone rock formation with a large hole and smaller cavities, textured with weathering patterns against a rugged background. — *Cool formations in the red rock*

Rocky desert landscape with a winding red dirt path, sparse greenery, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky. Quiet and serene. — *Beautiful desert landscape and easy to follow trail*

Chuckwalla Trail

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