Sand Hollow Information
Sand Hollow Vs. Sand Mountain
Discover Sand Hollow State Park
Sand Hollow State Park is one of Utah’s most popular outdoor destinations, offering a vast 20,000-acre landscape of warm waters, red sandstone terrain, and diverse recreational opportunities. Opened as a state park in 2003, it has become a favorite for visitors seeking boating, fishing, camping, and water sports in a stunning desert setting.
Location & Access
Address: 3351 Sand Hollow Rd, Hurricane, Utah 84737
Entry Fees: Varies by activity (day-use, boating, camping)
Operating Hours: Open year-round
Elevation: 3,000 feet
Recreation & Activities
Sand Hollow Reservoir
Size: 1,322 acres of surface water
Uses: Boating, jet skiing, wakeboarding, paddleboarding, and kayaking
Water Temperature: Stays above 65 degrees for most of the year, making it ideal for swimming
Fishing: Home to largemouth bass, bluegill, and green sunfish, with excellent shore and boat fishing opportunities
Camping
Sand Hollow State Park has four campgrounds, providing options from full hookups to primitive camping:
Westside Campground – Full hookups (water, electric, and sewer)
Lakeview Campground – Offers both full and partial hookups, closest to the reservoir
Sandpit Campground – Offers a mix of group sites, partial hookups, and dry camping
Primitive Camping – Dry dispersed camping for a more rugged outdoor experience
Additionally, the park offers two cottages, each with full hookup RV sites, picnic tables, and fire rings. Cottage One is pet-friendly, while Cottage Two is ADA accessible. Most campgrounds have showers available, with passes sold at the Visitor Center.
Facilities & Amenities
Boat ramps with floating docks. Private hot showers & modern restrooms. Visitor Center & gift shop. Picnic tables & beach access. Cliff jumping areas. Seasonal disc golf course. Pet-friendly (leash required)
Nearby Attractions
Sand Hollow State Park is an excellent basecamp for exploring Southern Utah’s scenic destinations:
Zion National Park – 35 miles away
Quail Creek, Snow Canyon, and Gunlock State Parks – Each offers unique landscapes and outdoor activities
St. George & Hurricane – Nearby cities with dining, shopping, and lodging
Camping & Reservation Policies
Reservations: Available online via the Utah State Parks website or Reserve America
Cancellation Fees: Vary depending on notice period and site type
Late Arrivals & No Shows: Campsites must be occupied by 10 a.m. the day after the scheduled arrival, or they will be released
Extra Vehicles: Additional fees apply for extra vehicles at campsites
Directions to Sand Hollow State Park
Sand Hollow is located about 15 miles east of St. George, Utah, and seven miles east of I-15.
Coming from the North:
From I-15: Take Exit 16 (Highway 9) and travel four miles east
Turn right on Sand Hollow Road and continue three miles south to the park entrance
Coming from the South:
From I-15: Take Exit 2 (SR 7) travel 10 miles to Sand Hollow Exit.
Turn left and travel 3 miles north to the Park Entrance.
With its mix of adventure and relaxation, Sand Hollow State Park offers an unforgettable outdoor experience for visitors of all interests. Whether you’re spending the day on the water, camping under the stars, or enjoying Southern Utah’s breathtaking scenery, this park is a must-visit destination.
Sand Mountain (BLM Trails Area)
Location, Terrain, Activities, Fees, Camping, Off-Roading, Water Access
Southeast of Sand Hollow, just outside the state park boundaries.
Steep sand dunes covering a large area, with some rocky sections.
Primarily known for off-roading, rock crawling, dune riding, and hill climbing.
No entry fee, as it’s located on BLM land (Bureau of Land Management).
Dispersed camping allowed, but no official campground facilities.
No water access, as it’s purely a sand dune and off-roading area.
Sand Mountain: A Rock Crawler’s Playground
Sand Mountain is a 4×4 paradise, offering a huge variety of rock crawling trails for everyone—from stock rigs to fully built buggies. Unlike Moab, where trails are spread out and may require long drives between them, Sand Mountain’s trails are packed close together, making it easy to hit multiple runs in a single day. Whether you’re looking for a technical challenge, a scenic adventure, or just a fun day on the rocks, this place delivers.
Why Sand Mountain is Special
Sand Mountain is a constantly evolving landscape with a mix of slickrock ledges, rolling sandstone, tight canyons, and open play areas. The grippy sandstone provides incredible traction, making climbs feel more achievable than they look. And with new trails being cut all the time, there’s always something fresh to explore.
With numerous trails to choose from, you can ease into the terrain with mild climbs or test your skills on more advanced routes—all without driving miles between obstacles. The accessibility of the trails means you can pack more action into one trip instead of spending half the day on a single run.
Must-Do Trails & Obstacles
1. The Chute – A Tight Squeeze with a Steep Exit
A narrow, V-shaped rock groove that demands careful tire placement. Ends with a steep ledge climb, but multiple line options exist. Stock rigs can work through it, while bigger rigs can take the more challenging lines.
2. Double Sammy – A Great All-Around Trail
A little bit of everything—slickrock ledges, deep sand, and tight turns. Home to “The Waterfall”, a fun rock step that offers both easy and hard lines. A solid run for all skill levels, with plenty of bypass options.
3. The Maze – Twists, Turns & Technical Fun
A winding trail through rock corridors, perfect for precise driving. Plenty of optional lines to test articulation and clearance. A great spot to practice slow-speed control without major risk.
4. Sliplock Gulch – A Scenic & Challenging Route
A mix of rolling rock, sand washes, and stair-step climbs. Offers a good progression of challenges without being overwhelming. One of the less crowded trails, making for a great getaway.
5. John’s Trail – A More Advanced Adventure
Tighter sections and bigger ledges, but nothing impossible. Requires good line choices but has room for spotting and adjustments. Great for building confidence on bigger terrain.
And that’s just the start! There are dozens of other trails, with new routes being developed all the time. Whether you’re looking for a mild scenic ride or a full-on rock crawling experience, there’s always something new to tackle at Sand Mountain.
Recovery Gear – Essentials for Any Trip
Even with well-maintained trails, things happen. Here’s what every 4×4 should carry:
Tow strap & soft shackles – Easy, non-damaging recoveries.
Winch (if possible) – Helps on bigger climbs and recoveries.
Traction boards – Great for sand and slick surfaces.
Hi-lift jack – Useful for lifting, repositioning, or tire changes.
Spare tire & patch kit – Sharp rock edges can take a toll.
Basic tool kit – Always good to have for trail fixes.
Final Thoughts: Why Sand Mountain is Worth the Trip
Whether you’re in a stock rig looking to build confidence, a moderate setup ready for a challenge, or a fully built crawler looking for something new, Sand Mountain delivers. The close proximity of the trails means more time wheeling and less time driving between them, and the ever-changing terrain keeps things exciting. It’s a place to gain experience, enjoy the thrill of off-roading, and make some unforgettable memories on the rocks.
So air down, pick your lines, and have fun—Sand Mountain is waiting!
Trail Information
Sand Mountain offers a diverse range of off-road trails catering to various skill levels, from beginners to advanced off-road enthusiasts. Below is a categorized list of trails along with brief descriptions for each difficulty class:
Beginner Trails (Rating 1-3):
West Rim Lite (Rating 2): A mild trail providing beautiful vistas of the surrounding landscape, suitable for beginners seeking light off-road challenges.
Fury Rode (Rating 2): An easygoing trail with minimal obstacles, ideal for those new to off-roading.
Dinosaur Tracks (Rating 3): Combines light off-roading with a chance to see ancient dinosaur footprints; a family-friendly trail.
East Rim Trail (Rating 3): Offers gentle climbs and descents with scenic views, perfect for novices.
Milt’s Mile Lite (Rating 3): A toned-down version of the more challenging Milt’s Mile, offering mild obstacles suitable for lightly modified vehicles.
Moderate Trails (Rating 4-6):
Sliplock Gulch (Rating 6): Features a series of fun waterfall ascents, offering a good warm-up before tackling more challenging obstacles.
John’s Trail (Rating 7): A trail with many obstacles and few bypasses, involving ascending and descending a series of hills before entering a gulch leading to the last climb out.
Advanced Trails (Rating 7 and above):
Double Sammy (Rating 7): A must-do trail starting just after the first big dune, featuring the Gate Keeper obstacle at the beginning and the world-famous Chute at the end, with plenty of action in between.
The Maze (Rating 8): An intense technical challenge with steep ascents, descents, extreme off-camber sections, and arresting views of cliff edges up to 1,200 feet in the air.
Razorback (Rating 7+): A challenging trail with steep climbs and sharp ridges, recommended for experienced drivers with well-equipped vehicles.
The Front Range (Rating 7+): Offers a series of tough obstacles and technical sections, suitable for advanced off-roaders seeking a rigorous experience.