Holiday Instagram Spots in Southern Utah!
📸✨ Top 10 Best Holiday Photo Spots in Washington County
Where Red Rocks Meet Christmas Lights
Southern Utah may not get snowy pine forests or frosty windowpanes, but when December arrives, St. George and the surrounding towns transform into something special: holiday magic in the desert. Think twinkling lights glowing against towering cliffs, palm trees wrapped in sparkling strands, and red-rock sunsets made for winter photo ops.
Whether you’re capturing family portraits, holiday selfies, or stunning landscapes, here are the very best holiday photo spots in Washington County, Utah.
🎄 1. Red Hills Desert Garden – St. George
A Christmas-light walk made for the desert.
📍 Just above St. George Boulevard
💡 Best Time to Shoot: After sunset, weeknights
📸 Why it’s perfect: Thousands of lights draped over cacti, red rocks, and native plants. Where else can you photograph glowing barrel cactus?
👉 Tip: Shoot from low angles to capture holiday lights with red cliffs or the city skyline behind them.
🌟 2. St. George Town Square
Classic family holiday photos + ice rink vibes.
📍 Downtown St. George near Tabernacle
💡 Best Time: Blue hour (right after sunset)
📸 Features: Giant Christmas tree, light arches, ice rink, candy-cane patterns, fountains
👉 Tip: Reflections in the ice rink area make stunning backgrounds at twilight.
🏜️ 3. Snow Canyon State Park — Ivins
Red-rock winter photos without freezing temps.
📍 10 minutes from St. George
💡 Best Time: Sunrise for portraits, sunset for landscapes
📸 Highlights: Petrified dunes, lava rock, slot-canyon textures, sweeping cliffs
👉 Tip: Bring neutral clothing (earth tones) to blend with surroundings — avoid bright red unless you want a bold contrast.
🌇 4. Pioneer Park & Dixie Rock
Iconic views overlooking the city.
📍 Above St. George on Red Hills Parkway
💡 Best Time: Sunset + early evening
📸 Great For: Couples, quick portraits, skyline shots, “we live here!” photos
👉 Tip: Capture city lights starting to glow in the valley while the sky is still warm with color.
🌿 5. Tonaquint Nature Center
Where palm trees meet peaceful gardens.
📍 Southwest St. George
💡 Best Time: Morning golden hour
📸 Good For: Families, kids, quiet portraits, nature photography
👉 Tip: Use the small bridges, pond reflections, or palm shadows for creative compositions.
🌊 6. Sand Hollow & Quail Creek State Parks
Holiday photos with a lakeside twist.
📍 Hurricane/LaVerkin area
💡 Best Time: Sunset (killer reflections!)
📸 Capture: Red sand + blue water + dramatic cliffs
👉 Tip: Shoot into the water at sunset for mirror-like winter reflections—December skies are crisp and colorful!
🎭 7. Tuacahn — Christmas in the Canyon (Ivins)
Holiday lights glowing beneath a sandstone amphitheater.
📍 Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Ivins
💡 Best Time: Twilight + first hour of darkness
📸 Best For: Festive family pics, date night selfies, canyon silhouettes
👉 Tip: Look for light bouncing off canyon walls—photographers call it “glow hour.”
🏞️ 8. Gunlock State Park
Quiet water scenes + moody winter sunsets.
📍 15–20 minutes west of St. George
💡 Best Time: Late dusk for silhouettes
📸 Great For: Landscape photographers, peaceful portraits, “adventure holiday” content
👉 Tip: Bring a tripod; reflections get unreal as winds calm after sunset.
🔭 9. Webb Hill Overlook
One of the easiest “big view” holiday photo spots.
📍 Southeast St. George
💡 Best Time: Blue hour to full night
📸 Shot Idea: St. George city lights that look like a glittering holiday village below.
👉 Tip: Capture car-light trails from the road below for a festive motion effect.
🚗 10. Red-Rock Scenic Drives
Holiday magic from the car window.
📍 Drive options: Snow Canyon Parkway, Old Highway 91, Ivins to Santa Clara
💡 Best Time: Golden hour before sunset
📸 Why it works: Twisty roads + glowing cliffs + dramatic skies
👉 Tip: Roll down a window and capture “road-trip holiday” style shots with a person’s hand holding cocoa, a scarf, etc.
📌 Extra Tips for Holiday Photos in Southern Utah
🎥 Best Time to Shoot:
- Golden hour for red rock landscapes
- Blue hour for lights & portraits
- First hour after sunset for vibrant holiday lights
🧥 What to Wear:
Layers! Nights get chilly, even if the day is warm.
🚫 Respect the Desert:
Stay on paths, don’t climb where it’s unsafe, and don’t crush desert plants for a photo.
📸 Bonus:
If shooting professionally in parks like Snow Canyon, check permit rules first.
❤️ Final Thought
Holiday season in Washington County isn’t about snowflakes—it’s about twinkling lights against timeless desert rock, warm nights under clear stars, and nature’s version of holiday magic. Your photos don’t just capture winter; they capture the Southern Utah spirit of the season.