After spending three and a half months in St. George, Utah, we decided it was time to begin working our way north. With winter turning into spring, we knew the desert heat would only get stronger, and Hurricane felt like the perfect next stop.
Once a small town, Hurricane has been growing quickly and is becoming a hub for adventure. Off-road enthusiasts especially love it here — Sand Hollow State Park has become a mecca for off-roading and boating, drawing crowds that rival those in Moab with its mix of red rock crawling and open dunes.
For our family, the pull was twofold: exploring a new corner of southern Utah and trying out a brand-new RV resort that came with an unexpected perk — a full water park.
Quick Snapshot (At-a-Glance)
Location: Hurricane is located in southwestern Utah, about 20 minutes northeast of St. George and directly on the route to Zion National Park.
Best For: Outdoor lovers, off-road enthusiasts, and those looking to visit Zion (Hurricane is the closest large town on the way).
Best Time to Visit: Hurricane’s weather mirrors nearby St. George. It sits slightly higher in elevation, so it’s usually a degree or two cooler. Winters are mild, spring and fall are warm and pleasant, and summers get very hot.
Recommended Length of Stay:
- Outdoor explorers (not off-roaders): Even slow travelers can see and do most things in about 2 weeks.
- Off-road enthusiasts: A whole month makes sense if you want time to enjoy all the dunes, trails, and events.
- Homeschool families (winter season): Many families stay a month at a time because of the fair monthly rates, good weather, and plenty of activities both in town and inside the RV resorts.
Why We Chose Hurricane
After spending the winter in St. George, we wanted to begin working our way north and keep a steady rhythm of good weather. Hurricane felt like the logical next stop.
We were especially excited about a few new RV resorts in the area, including Jellystone.
RV Park, which comes with its own water park built right in. Their monthly winter rate was very fair, and we figured six weeks would give us plenty of time to explore while letting the kids soak up all the fun.
Beyond the RV park, Hurricane checked several other boxes: it offered quick access to
Zion National Park, some of the best off-roading in southern Utah, and a growing small-town energy that felt full of possibility.
Outdoor Adventures & Things to Do
- Sand Hollow State Park – This was a massive highlight in Hurricane. The reservoir is perfect for boating, paddleboarding, and swimming, but what really makes Sand Hollow stand out is the off-road area. Between the dunes and technical red rock trails, it’s an off-roader’s dream. It’s become so popular that it’s almost like a second Moab.
- Zion National Park – Hurricane is less than 30 minutes from the main entrance, making it one of the closest big towns to the park. (We’ll cover Zion more in our post about Virgin, Utah.)
- Grandpa’s Pond – A peaceful spot that surprised us. There’s a paved trail that goes all the way around, making it easy to explore with kids. We spent several hours here — the kids loved the playground, and our son was excited to find turtles along the edge of the pond.
- Toquerville Falls – A little bit of an off-road journey, and we highly recommend a four-wheel-drive, high-clearance vehicle. But it’s worth every bump in the road. You can drive right up to the falls; many families camp there, and you can even drive across the river in most off-road vehicles. Ours loved playing in the water and hiking down to the falls.
- Silver Reef Ghost Town – A fascinating historic site with old structures and stories of the area’s mining past. Definitely worth a half-day trip if you’re interested in history.
- Quail Creek State Park – A quieter reservoir nearby, suitable for fishing, kayaking, or a relaxed family picnic.
- Dinosaur Track Site – Fun for kids (and adults) to see real preserved dinosaur footprints.
- Red Reef Trailhead – A family-friendly hike with red rock scenery and a seasonal stream.
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park – Just a short drive away, featuring pink dunes that are fun to explore on foot or by ATV.
Community & Culture
We were in a Hurricane in early spring, and even then, it felt busy. Weekends brought in crowds escaping the cooler weather up north, and the off-road scene keeps the area buzzing almost year-round. Hurricane may still be a small town at heart, but it’s growing quickly.
On one hand, you’ll find modern conveniences like a super Walmart and other nationwide chains. On the other hand, there’s still a quieter side of town with traditional local businesses that carry the small-town character forward. The mix of big-box service and local culture makes
Hurricane feels like a town in transition — still rooted in its past, but undeniably moving toward a bigger, busier future.
We also discovered a few local gems that made our stay extra meaningful for the kids. The
Homeschool Scene
Hurricane Library offered wonderful homeschool activities, giving us a chance to plug into the community while learning on the road.
Fisher Farms is a homeschool “farm school” with drop-off programs during the week. Our kids loved the hands-on experiences there, and the farm welcomed families to explore outside of school hours.
Another highlight of our spring stay was the Washington County Fair, held right in Hurricane. It was a fun, family-friendly event with rides, activities, and community energy that gave us a feel for the local culture.
Family Perspective: Why We Cut Our Stay Short
Hurricane itself had a lot to offer, but our family ended up staying only three of the six weeks we had initially planned. The RV resort was busier than we anticipated, and our little boy struggled with the constant social pressure. For his sake, we chose to leave early.
That said, there was so much to do in the area, and our other kids absolutely loved it. Hurricane is packed with activities and opportunities, but families should be aware that it can feel like a bustling town.
Foodie Finds
While we didn’t eat out much in Hurricane, we stumbled across a couple of gems that became fast favorites.
One of the most surprising finds was inside the Davis Food and Drug Grocery Store. Tucked away in the deli, they have a talented sushi chef who puts together fresh trays at unbeatable prices. For just twenty dollars, we could grab a family-sized sushi platter — perfect for a cheap and easy date night without breaking the budget.
Another highlight was the Farm Store at Living Earth Farms, just a short bike ride from our RV park. Their shelves were filled with fresh, local produce, homemade bread, and a variety of goodies grown and made right in Hurricane. We especially loved their jellies, nuts, and assortment of pickled items — a fun way to taste the local flavor while stocking up on wholesome foods.
We also discovered Thompson Family Pecan Farm, where you can buy pecans straight from the source. We went back more than once, and it was a fun, simple way to experience the agricultural side of the valley while enjoying some of the best pecans we’ve ever tasted.
Where We Stayed
Hurricane has no shortage of RV parks, many of which are newer and equipped with numerous amenities. We chose the Jellystone RV Park, which comes with a full-scale water park built right in.
Honestly, it was epic. The resort offered nonstop activities for both kids and adults — from themed events to games and crafts. The water park itself was a highlight, with slides, splash zones, and even a large pond featuring a floating obstacle course. Add in the sandy beach with volleyball and a giant inflatable jump area, and it’s no surprise that most kids would consider this place a dream come true.
For families with sensory sensitivities, however, this resort can be overwhelming. With music, crowds, and kids running everywhere, our son with autism experienced sensory overload, which made the environment tough for him.
That said, for the average family, Jellystone is a pretty incredible spot and worth checking out if you’re looking for a resort-style RV stay with entertainment built right in. Every RV park we checked in Hurricane — including Jellystone — offered fair and affordable monthly rates, which makes it easy to find something that fits both budget and style.
Of course, Jellystone isn’t the only option. There are plenty of other RV parks in Hurricane, including state park campgrounds right inside Sand Hollow State Park. For those who prefer dispersed camping, there’s also a good amount of boondocking available in the surrounding area — especially on the far side of Sand Hollow — making it easy to find a spot that fits your style and budget.
Closing Thoughts
Hurricane turned out to be a town full of energy, adventure, and opportunities for families. Between Sand Hollow, Fisher Farms, Grandpa’s Pond, and the county fair, there was no shortage of things to do. The growing mix of small-town character and modern conveniences makes it a unique stop for travelers working their way through southern Utah.
For our family, the busyness of the RV resort and the steady stream of visitors made it harder to settle in long-term, so we cut our stay short. But for families who thrive on activity — especially those with kids who love water parks, off-roading, and nonstop fun — Hurricane is an excellent choice.
If you’re a slow traveler, two weeks is plenty if you’re focused on hiking, sightseeing, and outdoor exploring. If you’re here for the off-road experience, a month makes sense to enjoy all the trails and events fully. And if you’re a homeschooling family looking for a winter base, a month-long stay is a great fit, with reasonable monthly rates, mild weather, and plenty of activities.
Hurricane is busy, booming, and brimming with adventure — making it a stop worth adding to your southern Utah itinerary.
