Selected by our owner · Visitor resources checked October 19, 2026 · Hurricane, Utah base camp. An independent guide published by Jellystone Park™ Zion; each destination is run by its own agency or owner.
The places you remember. The base camp you come back to.
Looking for Southern Utah travel tips beyond the usual checklist? Start with these five owner-selected places: Top of the World at Sand Hollow, Toquerville Falls, Belly of the Dragon, the Kanab Sand Caves, and Scout Cave.
This is a shortlist, not a race. Some days call for off-road planning; others call for hiking shoes or a longer drive toward Kanab. Build your trip around the outing that fits your group, then return to a familiar place to settle in. That is the role Jellystone Park™ Zion plays in this guide: your Hurricane base camp for a Southern Utah vacation with more than one kind of adventure.
"Best-kept secrets" means the owner's personal picks, not private locations or a promise of empty trails. Respect the places, the people who live nearby, and the rules that keep access open.
The owner’s shortlist
Five picks. Five different adventures.
Choose your kind of day. Match the route, vehicle, weather and energy level before setting out.
Showing 5 owner-selected places.
01
Sand Hollow / Sand Mountain · Big-view off-road day
Top of the World
Put a big desert view on the itinerary.
This is the Top of the World viewpoint at Sand Hollow, not the similarly named Moab route. Greater Zion identifies the viewpoint as a Jeep- or ATV-accessed stop. Treat the ride as part of the outing, rather than assuming you can drive a regular passenger car to the sign.
Plan it well: Plan the vehicle, route and return journey before planning the photo. Confirm current access and Utah OHV rules (education course, registration, whip flags in the dunes), and choose terrain that matches the vehicle and driver.
Hurricane Valley / Toquerville · Waterfall adventure
Toquerville Falls
Make the journey part of the adventure.
Toquerville Falls is an owner-picked waterfall outing in the Hurricane Valley area. Its appeal is the combination of desert scenery and water, but the approach deserves as much planning as the destination. Regional tourism guidance recommends an off-road vehicle for access; a familiar-looking map pin is not a promise of an easy drive.
Plan it well: Verify the access road and vehicle suitability close to your visit. Keep well back from slippery edges, avoid driving through flowing water, and do not build the day around an assumed swimming opportunity.
Mount Carmel area / Kane County · Longer day-trip stop
Belly of the Dragon
A little curiosity goes a long way.
Belly of the Dragon is a carved drainage tunnel beneath Highway 89 in the Mount Carmel area. It is a memorable stop on a Kanab-area day trip, rather than a natural cavern inside Zion National Park. Give the drive and weather the same attention you give the tunnel itself.
Plan it well: Skip the tunnel when rain or runoff is possible. Bring a light, use suitable footwear, and check the current local visitor map before setting out. Driving a big rig? Remember the 2026 size limits on the Zion tunnel road.
The Kanab Sand Caves are the owner's pick here. Local tourism information distinguishes these former sand-mining openings from the separately named Moqui Cave attraction. The approach includes sandstone scrambling; a short outing does not automatically mean an easy or accessible one.
Plan it well: Use the current visitor map and designated parking. Keep away from exposed edges, leave the walls unmarked, and decide whether the approach suits everyone in your group.
Snow Canyon / Ivins area · Hike with a cave finish
Scout Cave
Earn a different view of the red rocks.
Scout Cave brings a cave destination into a hiking day in Snow Canyon State Park. Utah State Parks lists the Scout Cave trail at about 6 miles round trip (difficult on the park's hiking page, moderate in its September 2026 brochure), crossing a lava field, a sandy wash and steep wooden steps near cliff edges, with little shade. The cave looks out over Ivins and St. George.
Plan it well: Start with the official map and pick your route before judging the effort. Carry plenty of water, avoid summer midday heat, and choose a turnaround that fits your group. Johnson Canyon's seasonal closure is a different trail; don't confuse the two.
A regional trip works better when each day has room to breathe. Unpack once, choose an outing, and give your family time together between adventures.
Build the stay around your group
Cabin trip: five glamping cabin and bunkhouse types sleeping 5 to 9; compare the specific sleeping layout and amenities before choosing. See cabins
RV base camp: full-hookup sites (water, sewer, 30/50 amp), pull-through up to 75 feet and back-in up to 70; check the site fit for your rig. See RV sites
Camping stay: designated sleeping-tent sites near comfort stations. All ways to stay
A day to stay put: the Yogi Bear™ Water Zone and floating obstacle course are included for everyone on your reservation during the Water Zone season, with the heated pool and hot tub the rest of the year. Check seasonal hours before promising the kids a swim day.
Jellystone Park™ is separate from the destinations in this guide. Admission, permits, transportation, vehicle rentals and tours are not included unless your booking explicitly says otherwise.
More breathing room. Better memories.
Three ways to plan your stay
These are planning suggestions, not timed tours. Confirm conditions and choose the version that works for your group.
The Sand Hollow adventure
A big-view day
Base the day around Top of the World. Sort out an appropriate off-road vehicle and a suitable route first. Keep the rest of the schedule flexible rather than stacking another major outing on top.
Sand Hollow State Park is about 4 minutes from our base, so a swim or paddle at the reservoir is an easy add if everyone still has energy. See our Sand Hollow guide.
The hiking escape
A Scout Cave day
Choose and download the intended Scout Cave route. Plan your start around the forecast and your group's ability, and be willing to turn back before the cave.
Make a meal and an unhurried return part of the plan. If you're staying in the area for the evening, Tuacahn sits next to Snow Canyon; see our Tuacahn visitor guide and Snow Canyon guide.
The longer road trip
A Kanab-area day
Consider Belly of the Dragon and the Kanab Sand Caves as a broader driving excursion. Check access and weather for each stop, allow time for breaks, and avoid adding an ambitious hike simply because it is on the map.
Use a route appropriate for your vehicle and leave enough daylight for the return to Hurricane.
Where does Toquerville Falls fit?
Give it a dedicated adventure slot when access and conditions are suitable. Do not force it into a packed schedule just because it shares a regional map with other stops.
The useful part of a local guide
Match the outing to the day
Owner's picks: planning priorities
Place
Type of outing
Check first
Top of the World
Sand Hollow off-road viewpoint
Vehicle, route, OHV requirements and return plan
Toquerville Falls
Waterfall outing with access planning
Road conditions, suitable vehicle, weather and water
Belly of the Dragon
Mount Carmel-area tunnel stop
Rain, runoff, current local map and safe parking
Kanab Sand Caves
Sandstone scramble and cave openings
Designated access, footing and exposed edges
Scout Cave
Hiking day (about 6 miles round trip)
Exact route, effort, heat and current trail information
Three habits that make the trip better
Choose one main outing. A wide regional map can make stops look closer together than they feel on the ground. Rough roads, trail time and family breaks change the day. Keep an alternative that does not depend on reaching the same destination.
Read the conditions before the captions. A beautiful photo cannot tell you whether a road is passable, a tunnel is appropriate to enter, or a trail is comfortable in the afternoon heat. Use the linked visitor resources, posted signs and current forecasts.
Leave the place ready for the next family. Stay on designated routes, use appropriate parking, pack out waste, and leave rock surfaces, artifacts and wildlife undisturbed. The goal is a good story, not a new mark on the landscape.
Owner’s tips: common questions
Are these really the owner's picks?
Yes. The five places named here were selected by the owner of Jellystone Park™ Zion. The practical planning notes use the linked public visitor resources; they are not invented first-person travel stories.
Are all five places in Washington County?
No. Sand Hollow, Toquerville Falls and Scout Cave belong to the Washington County side of this guide. Belly of the Dragon and the Kanab Sand Caves are Kane County outings. Plan those as a longer excursion.
Can I visit all five in one day?
That is not the recommended plan. Off-road access, hiking, weather and the Kanab-area drive make these better choices for separate days. Choose one main outing and keep time for the return to base camp.
Which places require extra vehicle planning?
Top of the World and Toquerville Falls require particular attention to off-road access and vehicle suitability. Verify current conditions, rules and route requirements. Do not assume a rental car or RV can reach the destination.
Is Jellystone Park™ inside Zion National Park or Sand Hollow State Park?
No. Jellystone Park™ Zion is a separate lodging property in Hurricane. State park fees, national park entry, tours and show tickets are separate unless a specific booking offer expressly includes them.
Is Scout Cave an easy family walk?
Do not assume it is. Utah State Parks lists the Scout Cave trail at about 6 miles round trip with a lava field, sandy wash, steep steps and cliff edges. Choose a mapped option that suits your group, heat tolerance and experience.
Can I combine Belly of the Dragon and the Kanab Sand Caves?
They can be considered for the same broader Kanab-area driving day if conditions, access and your group allow. Verify the route and leave enough daylight for the return; they are not stops next door to Jellystone Park™.
Are these places guaranteed to be quiet?
No. "Best-kept secrets" is the name of the owner's collection, not a promise of private access or empty trails. These are publicly documented destinations with changing visitor levels.
Where do I book my base camp?
Use the Check Jellystone Park™ Availability button to see current accommodation choices and rates. Verify seasonal amenities and your chosen site or cabin details before reserving.
What should I check before heading out?
Check the forecast, official alerts, access roads, required permits, parking and the exact route. Carry what your group needs and respect closures, private property, wildlife and cultural sites.
This independent guide is published by Jellystone Park™ Zion. Destinations are operated by their respective agencies and owners. Access and conditions change; a resource check is not a guarantee that a destination is open on your travel day. Visitor resources checked October 19, 2026.
