La Verkin has red rock canyons and scenery near Zion National Park
In the desert of Southern Utah, La Verkin is a gateway to Zion National Park, one of the nation's most renowned natural landscapes, with red rock cliffs and canyon hiking trails. Amid its sunny juniper forests and panoramic canyons, La Verkin has 21st-century homes and seemingly endless options for outdoor recreation along the Virgin River. "We have incredible access to the outdoors, with mountain biking and hiking trails in Zion National Park," says Jake Peart, Realtor at Keller Williams Realty in St. George, who has lived in the area for over three decades. "There are breathtaking views of red rock mesas, and the night skies are awesome. It's a great place to live with a great community."
Red-dirt hiking trails and scenic parks
Many natural landmarks are within driving distance. Only about 20 miles north, Zion National Park is home to abundant hiking trails through juniper forests and sandstone canyons carved by the Virgin River. It also provides campgrounds, mountain biking areas and rafting access. Confluence Park features red-dirt trails along clear-water creeks with mountain views. Also nearby, the Babylon Arch area is popular for its ATV and off-roading paths, while the Sky Mountain Golf Course has wide-open fairways with views of the red-rock cliffs. The community green space is La Verkin Park, which has a playground and a basketball court.
Mediterranean homes with desert landscaping and mountain views
Juniper and desert willow trees provide greenery on La Verkin's xeriscape lots with canyon and mountain views. Some properties incorporate drought-resistant flora and gravel, while other lots have planted grass. The area's architecture features New Traditional and Mediterranean-style homes. Many houses are from the 21st century, incorporating stucco and stone exteriors. Home prices range from $270,000 to $820,000. Manufactured homes cost between $230,000 and $400,000.
Washington County may be at an increased risk of wildfires due to its drought conditions and dry grasslands. La Verkin is also in one of the hottest regions in Utah, with summer heat waves and average July highs in the 100s. "We have a mild climate throughout the winters," Peart says. "Our summers get warm, but people are used to it. They like the clean air and the convenient, small-town feel."
Local schools have B ratings and offer hands-on experience
The Washington County School District serves more than 40,000 students, and it has a school choice program, which allows students to enroll in schools outside their designated boundary. La Verkin Elementary School earns a B from Niche and has a Leader in Me program, allowing students to work on forming positive habits and leadership skills. Hurricane Intermediate also has a B and serves grades 6-7, with points-based rewards redeemable in the school store. Hurricane Middle has a B-minus and serves grades 8-9, with extracurricular activities like the Tiger Times, a newspaper with stories written and produced by students. Hurricane High School also scores a B and is known for its STEM opportunities, such as the Black Ops, a robotics program in which students build and design robots.
Dining ranges from canyon-view cafés to award winning steakhouses
While La Verkin is a short drive from the shopping and dining scenes in Hurricane and St. George, it offers a collection of popular restaurants on State Street, which residents frequent. The River Rock Roasting Company is a coffee shop and lunch café with wide-open canyon views. The Stage Coach Grille, which won multiple 2024 Best of Southern Utah awards, is known for its Western cowboy theme and its menu of classic American staples. Another local favorite is Red Fort Cuisine of India. The community's grocery store is Davis Farmers Market, and Lin's Market is another option in Hurricane, about 3 miles southwest. "For movie theaters, restaurants and shopping, you'll need to go to Hurricane, about five minutes away."
Getting to St. George and flying to major cities
While there is no traditional public transit, the SunTran Zion Route takes passengers to Zion National Park with multiple stops on State Street in La Verkin. State Route 9 is the area’s main thoroughfare, reaching Hurricane, Washington and St. George. The nearest emergency room is at the St. George Regional Hospital Center, within a 30-minute drive. Approximately 25 miles southwest, the St. George Regional Airport provides direct flights to multiple cities, including Salt Lake City and Denver.
