Hurricane Utah

Hurricane Utah is located in the corridor between St. George, Utah, and Zion National Park, on state route 9. This route is also known as the Zion Canyon Scenic Byway. Its central location to St. George to the south (18 miles) and Zion National Park to the east (20 miles) positions it ideally as Greater Zion’s hub for visiting the many outdoor recreation areas, attractions, and Utah state parks.

Although strong winds do occasionally blow here, it’s not likely you’ll ever run into a Hurricane. So what’s the story behind the name? Legend has it that on a windy day in the 1860's a whirlwind blew the top off Mormon leader Erastus Snow’s buggy, in response he reportedly said, “Well, that was a Hurricane. We’ll name this the Hurricane Hill.” The name stuck but with a bit of a twist. Influenced by early settlers from Liverpool England, the name is pronounced “Her-ah-kun” by local residents.

First settled in 1896, the founding of Hurricane was part of the “Cotton Mission” by pioneers sent by Brigham Young to establish agricultural communities in the southwest region of Utah. Hurricane became known for its peaches, pecans, and pistachio nuts which can still be found today on small farms throughout Hurricane Valley. Each Labor Day weekend a major celebration called Peach Days is held over Labor Day weekend to celebrate the community’s heritage.

Drive time on Interstate-15 to Salt Lake City is four hours to the north and two hours to Las Vegas to the south. For those who prefer traveling by air, the St. George Regional Airport (SGU) is located 22 miles from Hurricane with non-stop service from Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City.

For approximately 80 years the residents of Hurricane Valley relied on water supplied by a canal that took more than 11 years to build (1893-1904). Constructed mostly by pick and shovel, the canal originates in a deep gorge east of town on the Virgin River. Decommissioned for use in 1985, efforts to preserve the canal and its heritage succeeded in 2000 with the construction of a trail as a tribute to the early settlers' determination and grit to cultivate this semi-arid valley. A monument at the trailhead commemorates the construction and story of the canal. The trail provides panoramic views of Hurricane Valley below and allows hikers to walk in sections of the canal.

The Virgin River, the primary force behind the architecture of the deep canyons of Zion National Park, one of Utah’s national parks, continues its path through Hurricane Valley on its journey to Lake Mead in Nevada. The river may not seem like much, but on average more than a million tons of sediment is removed from Zion each year. When the river reaches Hurricane it is joined by Ash Creek and La Verkin Creek at Confluence Park located west of the La Verkin Bridge. This 344 acre park is home to wildlife such as deer, beaver, porcupines and raccoons and many types of large birds including falcons, vultures, ravens, hawks, and Blue Heron. The three waterways provide a lush environment that is quite different from the surrounding desert landscape. Access to the park is found on State Route 9 immediately north of the Hurricane-La Verkin bridge.

The Hurricane area offers a wide range of outdoor activities that include off-roading, Utah hiking, and mountain biking in Utah, rock climbing, watersports, golfing in Utah, and more!

Off-road on deep Coral Pink Sand Dunes at Sand Mountain near Sand Hollow State Park. Go Utah hiking in the Red Cliff Desert Reserve or on the Hurricane Rim trail. Mountain bike on the world-class trails including the popular Jem Trail above Hurricane Hills. Kayak, paddleboard, waterski, jet ski, or fish for small and largemouth bass at Quail Creek and Sand Hollow State Parks. Go golfing in Utah on the area’s four scenic courses where keeping your eye on the ball is more challenging than ever.

Take a scenic drive on the Zion Canyon Scenic Byway near one of Utah’s national parks. Learn more about the early settlers in the downtown historic district, or go shopping for antiques. Cool off at the city park splash pad for the kids, or drown a worm at Grandpa’s pond. Target shoot at the Washington County Shooting Park. Go tubing on the Virgin River. No matter what you’re into, you’ll be able to find something to do for every age.