Sand Hollow is the reservoir state park southeast of Hurricane that's known for its OHV recreation on Sand Mountain, its boating and fishing on the reservoir, and (less famously) its hiking trail network on the bench above the water. The hiking is secondary — most park visitors are there to ride, swim, or fish — but the trails are real, the views from the bench above the reservoir are excellent, and the park is one of the larger water-and-trail combinations in southern Utah.
What's at the park
Two boat ramps, a paid swim beach, multiple campgrounds (Westside, Sandpit, and the BLM-overflow areas), the Sand Mountain OHV play area, miles of OHV trails, and a hiking-friendly trail network on the western bench above the reservoir. The water itself is the striking red-orange color from the surrounding Navajo sandstone — the same iron-stained sand that builds the dunes and the surrounding cliffs gives the reservoir water its postcard tone.
The hiking network
The hiking trails are concentrated on the western bench above the West Side Beach area. Several short loops (1 to 4 miles) climb onto the bench, traverse with views of the reservoir below, and return to the trailheads. The terrain is mostly sand and slickrock with short scrambles in places. Surfaces are well-defined where the trails are signed and informal in the middle sections where they fade into the broader bench.
What you see
Looking east from the bench, the reservoir spreads out below with Sand Mountain rising on the far side. The dunes on Sand Mountain are visible from many of the upper trail sections. Looking west, the open desert running toward Hurricane and the Hurricane Cliffs. The Pine Valley massif is on the northern horizon. The contrast between the orange water, the red sandstone bench, and the cream-colored dunes of Sand Mountain creates one of the more distinctive landscapes in Washington County.
Sharing with OHV traffic
The park is divided. OHV use is concentrated on Sand Mountain and the eastern dunes; hiking trails on the western bench are off-limits to motorized vehicles. The boundary is signed and enforced. On busy weekends, the OHV side is loud — engines, dust, motion — while the hiking side stays quiet. Hikers should still be aware that some shared connector roads cross both zones.
Heat and seasonality
The bench is exposed and unshaded. Summer afternoon temperatures climb past 100°F. The water moderates the local temperature slightly, but not enough to make summer hiking comfortable. October through April is the realistic window for hiking. The water-recreation season is summer; the hiking season is winter and shoulder.
How locals use it
The hiking trails at Sand Hollow get used mostly by parties who came to the park for camping, fishing, or boating. Few visitors come specifically for the hiking. The trails are real but not a destination on their own merits. For St. George locals, Sand Hollow is the warm-weather water destination and the cool-weather day-trip with a walk built in.
Where it fits
Sand Hollow Loop Trails are the secondary feature at a primary recreation destination — much like Quail Creek Trail. The hiking complements the park's other uses rather than driving visitation on its own. For parties building a multi-day Washington County itinerary that includes water recreation, knowing that Sand Hollow has hiking helps round out the planning. Pair with a Sand Mountain OHV rental, a kayak day on the reservoir, or a Hurricane Cliffs ride for a full day.