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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — Tucked beneath the lofty confines of Signal Peak lies a quiet southern Utah town full of attractions and unique beauty most people only think exists along the Wasatch Front.
Pine Valley is a fairly small town located just 35 miles north of St. George. Signal Peak, directly to the south of town, is Washington County's highest point. For the mountaineers and hikers looking to summit the high point in each county in Utah, this is a must. At 10,365 feet in elevation, it's nothing to sneeze at, either.
Aside from Signal Peak, Pine Valley boasts numerous other recreational opportunities, as well as a relaxing, laid-back atmosphere. Here's a look at just a few of the things you can do in this area of the Beehive State.
Fishing
The Santa Clara River flows out of the Pine Valley Reservoir Dam through miles of private property before flowing onto public land just on the western edge of town. While a good part of this river lies at the bottom of a steep ravine (the hike down is worth it,) the public areas west of Pine Valley and just north of Baker Reservoir (located north of the small town of Veyo) house some nice brown trout.
The fishing can be tough on the Santa Clara, but it's rewarding for those willing to put in some time and find where the lunker trout hide.
Hiking
As mentioned, the hiking in Pine Valley is some of the best in the state. The east side of the mountain range has most of the hiking trails. Access is best via Leeds, just north of St. George on I-15.
In addition to Signal Peak, you can hike along Leeds Creek up to the base of the Pine Valley Mountains. Leeds Creek is home to Bonneville cutthroat trout, and while it's a bushy mess in some places, a competent fly angler can catch a few of these native trout.
To access the best hiking areas, get off I-15 in Leeds and take the Silver Valley Road towards Silver Reef. Continue until you reach Forest Service Road 032. Road 031 takes you to the southern side of the mountains while 32 takes you up to the east basin.
Forest Service Road 032 terminates at the Oak Grove Campground, right in the shadows of Signal Peak. It's a great campground for families and offers some incredibly scenic views.
Historic Utah
Southern Utah is home to plenty of historic sites, but some of the most prominent that are near Pine Valley include the site of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, Yankee Doodle Canyon and Toquerville Falls. All of these sites are informative and impactful.
While it may be viewed by some as not being the brightest mark on the history of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mountain Meadows Massacre monument area is an important piece of Utah history. Visiting this site can help you understand the events on a deeper level by reading about firsthand accounts of what happened.
Do you have a favorite spot to escape to in southern Utah? Have you been to Pine Valley? Let us know in the comments below.
