Yellow Knoll Day Hike - St. George

Yellow Knolls sits inside the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area — protected desert land with remarkable geological diversity packed into a 3-mile (4.8 km) route. The trail passes through multiple distinct landscapes: open desert wash, dramatic red sand valleys filled with agave, black lava rock formations, and the trail's centerpiece — pale pink Navajo sandstone sculpted into checkerboard and pentagonal joint patterns that look like they belong in Zion National Park. It's also significantly less crowded than most St. George area trails, offering genuine desert solitude.

Yellow Knolls is rated moderate, primarily due to its length (approximately 3 miles / 4.8 km round trip) and the sandy, occasionally rocky terrain. The elevation gain is modest at around 350 feet (107 m), distributed gradually over the route. The trail begins with a descent of about 230 feet (70 m) into a wash before slowly ascending toward the knolls. There are no steep or technical sections. Hikers of most ages and fitness levels can complete it comfortably at their own pace with a guide.

September through May are the best months, with cooler temperatures and the most pleasant conditions. Spring (March–May) is especially rewarding when desert wildflowers bloom through the sandy valley sections. Summer is possible but hot — the trail is almost entirely unshaded and temperatures in St. George regularly exceed 100°F (38°C) in July and August. If hiking in summer, an early morning start is essential. Fall and winter are excellent for comfortable hiking, but dress in warm layers as mornings can be cold.

The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is home to a rich variety of desert wildlife. Common sightings include desert lizards, jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, coyotes, and mule deer. The area is good for birdwatching — raptors including red-tailed hawks and American kestrels are frequently seen, along with ravens, cactus wrens, and various sparrows. The trail is also within critical habitat for the protected Mojave desert tortoise — if you spot one, observe from a respectful distance and never pick them up or move them. Wildlife tracks in the sandy sections of the trail are often abundant, making for fun tracking with kids.

No — there are no restroom facilities at the Yellow Knolls Trailhead. Plan accordingly before departing from St. George.

Absolutely! Simply select the private tour option at checkout for an exclusive experience, just you and your group.

Our guides are local experts with deep knowledge of the geology, history, wildlife, and ecology of southern Utah. Guides are trained in safety protocols and first aid, and are dedicated to providing both educational and entertaining experiences tailored to each group.

We recommend booking at least 2 weeks in advance, and several months ahead for large groups or peak season visits to ensure availability.

Our guides follow Leave No Trace principles on all tours. Guests are asked to pack out all waste, stay on designated paths, and respect all plants, wildlife, and rock formations. We operate in and around federally protected lands and take stewardship of those landscapes seriously.

The East Zion and southern Utah region is home to mule deer, coyotes, jackrabbits, lizards, hawks, eagles, ravens, and a variety of desert songbirds. Mountain lions are native to the area but extremely rarely encountered. Rattlesnakes are present in the region but generally avoid human contact — wearing closed-toe shoes and watching where you place your hands is good practice.

Most tours run rain or shine. However, if severe weather creates unsafe conditions, we will offer guests a different date or a full refund. For tours involving dirt road access (such as Candy Cliffs and White Pocket), road conditions after rain may require rescheduling.