Hurricane Valley

(Hurricane, La Verkin, Toquerville, Leeds)

Hurricane Valley Utah

Set among red rock bluffs, ancient volcanic cinder cones, and limestone mesas, Hurricane Valley is located in the scenic Zion corridor between St. George and Zion National Park. Hurricane Valley is Greater Zion’s center of adventure with two popular state parks, a national desert reserve, hiking trails, world class mountain biking, and dramatic off-road destinations. Add four challenging golf courses, abundant visitor services, plus the friendly small town charm of the communities of Hurricane, La Verkin, Toquerville, and Leeds, and you have the right combination for an ideal vacation.

Greater Zion’s Center of Adventure!

Off the beaten path

Whether you are looking for family fun and adventure, an adrenaline junkie, or somewhere in between, Hurricane Valley has it all. Located just minutes between St George and Zion National Park, Hurricane Valley offers activities ranging from world class Mt biking, ATV trails and rock climbing, to scenic drives, historical museums, antiquing, water sports and even a splash pad for the kids. No matter what you’re into, you’ll be able to find something to do and get off the beaten path. Come find yourself in Hurricane Valley.

Hurricane

Hurricane Utah is located in the Zion Corridor on state route-9, 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 and attractions.

Situated on the Interstate-15 corridor, Hurricane is easy to get to! Drive time 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.

Weather
At an elevation of 3,248’ Hurricane has a semi-arid climate with hot, dry Summers and mild Winters that make it a popular destination for escaping the colder regions to the north.

History
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 that 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.

Hurricanes in Utah?
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 twist. Influenced by early settlers from Liverpool England, the name is pronounced “Her-ah-kun” by local residents.

Hurricane Canal
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 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
It may not seem like much at first glance, but appearances can be deceiving! The Virgin River is the primary source for carving the deep canyons of Zion National Park. On average more than one 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 water sources 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.

Things to Do
Hurricane offers activities ranging from world class mountain biking and ATV trails, rock climbing, scenic drives, historical sites and museums, antiquing, water sports and even a splash pad for the kids. No matter what you’re into, you’ll be able to find something to do and get off the beaten path.

La Verkin

Settled in 1897 La Verkin, Utah, sits at a convenient crossroads for access to and from Interstate 15 and Zion National Park. The Zion Canyon Scenic Byway (SR-9) passes through La Verkin and also connects with SR 17 that offers a northern connection to I-15. The city is adjoined to Toquerville on the north and Hurricane on the south.

Visitor Resources: With hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, groceries and fuel, and unique attractions, this small town of approximately 5,000 people can be a great home-base for experiencing southwestern Utah.

Name: One theory on the origin of the city’s name is that it may be an english alteration of the spanish name for the nearby Virgin River, La Virgen. Say it a few times and it will grow on you.

Views & Terrain: From La Verkin you’ll have views to the northeast of the Hurricane Cliffs and Hurricane Mesa, Pine Valley Mountain rising over 10,000′ is visible to the west, and passing through the city are the canyons and washes for Ash Creek, La Verkin Creek and the Virgin River.

Attractions:

Confluence Park: This 344 acre natural park is where Ash Creek, La Verkin Creek, and the Virgin River all come together. Wildlife such as falcons, vultures, hawks, deer, beaver, porcupines and raccoons inhabit this area, which offers a more lush environment than the surrounding desert landscape. Walking trails criss-cross the area and there is also a picnic area. Access to the park is from three locations (see google map links next): A- 300 South State B- 600 W. Center St. C- W. 900 N.

The Virgin River: This waterway, which is also partially responsible for the formation of Zion National Park, passes along the southern edge of La Verkin in the depths of a lava filled canyon.

Bridge across the Virgin River: James Bond (or his stunt pilot double) famously flew a plane under this bridge while filming the Bond classic Octopussy. The bridge spans a high lava canyon and connects La Verkin and Hurricane along the Zion Canyon Scenic Byway (SR-9).

Pah Tempe Hot Springs: This historic volcanic sulfur spring sits on the edge of Virgin River, just east of the Virgin River Bridge. For many years visitors were able to access these hot springs but some seismic activity changed the water flow and there is not currently access to this area. Developers continue to work on plans to bring this hot spring access back to the general public.

Other Nearby Attractions: (learn more by following the links to each)

– Sand Hollow State Park and Quail Creek State Park

– Hiking Trails

– Mountain Biking Trails

– Gooseberry Mesa

– Smith Mesa

– Silver Reef Ghost Town

– Grafton Ghost Town

– Zion National Park

Activities:

Area outfitters provide many options such as…

– ATV/UTV Rentals and guided experiences

– Golf (view local courses)

– Mountain bike and road cycle rentals

– Watercraft (jet-skis, kayaks, paddleboard rentals) on nearby Sand Hollow and Quail Creek State Parks

Toquerville

At an elevation of 3,400′ Toquerville, Utah is a quaint and beautiful small town found just south of Interstate 15 on SR17, and approximately 15 miles west of the lower western boundary of Zion National Park.

Visitor Resources: Vacation rentals are prevalent here and restaurants, groceries, fuel, are available in the adjacent city of La Verkin.

Name & History: Toquerville is named for Toquer, who was a chief of the Paiute Indian band on lower Ash Creek. Mid 19th century pioneer missionary explorers visited Toquer and his band and found a friendly reception. In 1858, log cabins were constructed near the Paiute village along Ash Creek, and by 1859, there were nineteen families living in Toquerville. That number increased to forty one families by 1864, and today there are approximately 1,500 people living in Toquerville. This community was home to the first cotton gin in the Utah territory and was found to offer an ideal climate for growing vegetables and fruit including grapes for use as sacramental wine and for trade.

Views & Terrain: Toquerville sits at the base of a large carved bluff that comprises an eroded section of the Hurricane Cliffs. Views to the west are of Pine Valley Mountain which rises over 10,000′, and Ash Creek passes through a main section of the city while La Verkin Creek carves its way through the southern section of this community.

Nearby Attractions:

Toquerville Falls: A rough backroad from Toquerville leads east into a wide canyon where Toquerville Falls is found. This is an area of rock where the waters of La Verkin Creek cascade in two levels and provide a beautiful view in an otherwise dry and somewhat inhospitable environment. This road should be traveled only by high clearance vehicles with thicker ply tires that can withstand the punishment of the rough rocky terrain.

Silver Reef Ghost Town: From the mid 1870’s to 1880’s Silver Reef was the largest and most robust town in southwestern Utah. Silver was found in the sandstone formations and soon the boomtown was filled with miners, shopkeepers, saloon owners, and all of needed support services. Today this area is expanding as a community for homes, but many old structures remain, along with miles of tunnels and mine-shafts. A small museum and outbuilding are open to tell the story of this historic mining town. (www.silverreefutah.org)

The Virgin River: This watercourse helped to carve Zion National Park, and passes just south of Toquerville. Ash Creek and La Verkin Creek are tributaries to the Virgin River and come close together at what is known as Confluence Park. 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 and hawks. The three water sources provide a lush environment that is quite different than the surrounding desert landscape. Access to the park is found in nearby La Verkin: A- 300 South State B- 600 W. Center St. C- W. 900 N. Bridge across the Virgin River: The James Bond classic movie Octopussy utilized this bridge for a stunt where a plane is flown under this bridge. The bridge spans a high lava canyon and connects La Verkin and Hurricane along the Zion Canyon Scenic Byway (SR-9).

Other Nearby Attractions: (learn more by following the links to each)

– Sand Hollow State Park and Quail Creek State Park

– Hiking Trails

– Mountain Biking Trails

– Gooseberry Mesa

– Smith Mesa

– Silver Reef Ghost Town

– Grafton Ghost Town

– Zion National Park

Activities:

Area outfitters provide many options such as…

– ATV/UTV Rentals and guided experiences

– Golf (view local courses)

– Mountain bike and road cycle rentals

– Watercraft (jet-skis, kayaks, paddleboard rentals) on nearby Sand Hollow and Quail Creek State Parks

Leeds

Name & History: This area was settled in 1967 and the community was named in honor of Leeds, England. Simultaneous to the growth of Leeds came the boom of the adjacent mining town Silver Reef which for nearly a decade was the largest town in the area. As the mining played out Silver Reef became a ghost town, but Leeds had established itself by constructing an irrigation canal that fed the fields and orchards of the town. At an elevation of 3,481′ and with a semi-arid climate, but a long growing season, Leeds had a reputation for growing fruit and sorghum. Main Street in Leeds is still home to many buildings that date back to the 1800’s, with approximately 15 historic houses still standing.

CCC Camp: During the Great Depression, like many places around the country, Leeds was a base for an office of the Civilian Conservation Corp. Often referred to as the “Pick and Shovel Soldiers” workers in the CCC were mostly men ages 18-25 who worked under the direction of the U.S. Forest Service to complete projects in the area. The Leeds CCC camp still has four rock structures that are standing and are part of a historic site at the southern end of the town. Most CCC camp buildings were constructed of wood while several buildings in Leeds were created from rocks recovered from the nearby Silver Reef mining town and, as a result, this is the only CCC camp in Utah that still has standing structures.

Visitor Resources: Leeds has a small grocery store, one restaurant, and several vacation rental options, however the closest fuel, additional restaurants, or major shops are in nearby La Verkin, Hurricane, or St. George.

Views & Terrain: Leeds is situated alongside Interstate 15 just north of Hurricane, Utah and much of the town structures lie between red and white rock uplifts and cliffs on the west and mounded hills on the east. Pine Valley Mountain towers above the area at over 10,000′ feet on the west and Leeds has views to vast plateaus and monoliths in the east toward Zion National Park.

Nearby Attractions:

Silver Reef Ghost Town: Just next door to Leeds, this was a mining boomtown during the mid 1870’s to 1880’s. Indeed, during this period Silver Reef was larger than St. George or any of the communities of the region. This is said to be the only place in America where Silver was found within sandstone rock. Silver Reef was home to miners, shopkeepers, saloon owners, and all of needed support services. While this area is now expanding as a community for homes, there are many old structures, and mining remnants that still remain, along with a small museum and an outbuilding, that are open to the public, and provide displays and art depicting life in this historic mining town. (www.silverreefutah.org)

Red Cliffs Recreation Area: South of Leeds, just a couple of miles, is a unique campground and hiking area that is situated among dramatic sandstone cliffs and canyons. At Red Cliffs Recreation Area you’ll find old historic homes, old movie sets, Native American rock art, and even dinosaur prints. Access to this area is from the frontage road at Harrisburg, directly south of Leeds, and through a short tunnel that passes under Interstate 15. This area, managed by the BLM has a day use fee and a camping fee for those staying overnight. Learn more here.

Toquerville Falls: Swing north from Leeds up Interstate 15 to the next exit and turn south a few miles down highway 17 to Toquerville, Utah. The first major road going left (east) is Spring Dr. and this leads east into a wide canyon where Toquerville Falls is found. Be advised that this is a very rough dirt and rock (sharp) road, and should be traveled by vehicles with good clearance and off-road multi-ply tires. This is a beautiful oasis where the waters of La Verkin Creek cascade in two levels over coarse rock formations in an otherwise dry and somewhat inhospitable environment.

Babylon Arch: This trail leads through rough red rock formations toward the Virgin River and one of the highlights of this trek is a view of a small arch at the base of sandstone cliffs. To get here, go north of Leeds and turn right (south) on 900 N. Road and follow this dirt road approximately 4 miles to the trail head. Be advised that this road can be rutted and should only be traveled in dry weather by vehicles with good clearance.

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Other Nearby Attractions: (learn more by following the links to each)

– Sand Hollow State Park and Quail Creek State Park

– Hiking Trails

– Mountain Biking Trails

– Gooseberry Mesa

– Smith Mesa

– Silver Reef Ghost Town

– Grafton Ghost Town

– Zion National Park

Activities:

Area outfitters provide many options such as…

– ATV/UTV Rentals and guided experiences

– Mountain bike and road cycle rentals

– Watercraft (jet-skis, kayaks, paddleboard rentals) on nearby Sand Hollow and Quail Creek State Parks

Things to Do

This is Greater Zion’s Center of Adventure!

Within minutes in any direction you can find yourself on world-class mountain bike trails, rock climbing in whimsical rock wonderlands, or hiking to world-class scenery. Off-road enthusiasts experience the rush of riding in deep coral pink sand dunes, crawling through craggy hills of rocks and boulders, or negotiating gnarly roads to alluring waterfalls. After a day on the trail wash the dust off at Sand Hollow and Quail Creek state parks where you can waterski, kayak, stand-up paddle board or net a lunker.

Hurricane Valley’s four golf courses will test your ability to keep your eye on the ball with scenery that rivals the surrounding parks. Get a birds eye view of the landscape on an aerial tour or for the adrenaline junky, go skydiving! Explore a ghost town or historic site, have a picnic at a family park, or shoot guns at one of the West’s most exciting shooting ranges.

Enjoy Greater Zion’s many adventures on your own or hire a knowledgeable guide from one of the many commercial outfitters in town.

Hurricane Valley is at the heart of it all!

Places to Stay

Looking for a Place to Stay?

Hurricane Valley offers many lodging options from which to choose, from well-known national hotel and motel chains to independent boutique Inns. There are vacation rentals of big houses to tiny houses located throughout the valley. Stay close to restaurants and shopping or away from it all. If camping under the Greater Zion starry sky is more to your liking, no problem, campgrounds and RV parks are conveniently located at or near recreation areas.

Hurricane Valley has options!

Places to Eat

Trails

Toquerville Falls

Back country scenic drives are one of the highlights of Hurricane Valley, and top on the list may be Toquerville Falls.

Destination Description

Toquerville Falls is a literal oasis in the desert, where a large bend in La Verkin creek makes an abrupt descent over two rock spillways. The first waterfall is an approximate 12-14′ high staircase approximately 100′ wide where the creek cascades over this widened spillway and disperses across a platform of rock before it descends through a narrowed chute into a dark emerald colored deep pool encircled by rock. The waters then proceed to filter downstream among the generally shallow rocky bottom of La Verkin Creek.

Trail/Road Description

The road is rough, so much so that a standard tire and clearance on a vehicle may not survive the trip. Tires with thicker ply, and with good clearance are highly recommended. UTV’s, ATV’s, and off-road vehicles will handle this backroad in dry conditions.

How To Get There

Take Spring Dr. at the north end of Toquerville, Utah and follow this road for 5.8 miles (northeast direction). There are some roads that occasionally break off left or right but the main road is the obvious and is the more worn route. At approximately 3.5 miles in you’ll come to a fork in the road and you’ll stay to the right and continue another couple of miles to the falls. Google lists the travel time as 40 minutes for an automobile so this is a good indication of the roughness of the road.

Weather Precautions

As with any backroad, use caution when traveling in rain or snow conditions. Roads such as this can turn to deep mud quickly and the surface can become as slippery as ice.

Facilities

There are no restrooms, clean water sources, or camping facilities here, but dispersed camping is allowed on this land which is part land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Google Map Link