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Warner Valley Guide: Dinosaur Tracks, Fort Pearce & UTV Rides
Warner Valley is the wide desert valley just south of Sand Hollow and Sand Mountain, and it’s one of the easiest and most interesting rides in the St. George area. In one trip you can see a pioneer fort from the 1860s and more than 400 real dinosaur tracks in the rock. Here’s how to ride it.
Warner Valley at a glance
| Where | South of Sand Hollow and Sand Mountain, between Washington and Hurricane |
|---|---|
| Main route | Warner Valley Road, a wide, graded dirt road |
| Difficulty | Easy; good for beginners and families |
| Highlights | Fort Pearce and the Warner Valley Dinosaur Track Site |
| Land | Bureau of Land Management (BLM) |
| Fees | None for the fort or the track site |
| Best season | October through May; summer afternoons are very hot |
The route
Warner Valley Road runs east from the Southern Parkway (exit 10) and from Washington Fields Road, along the south side of Sand Mountain. It’s a full-width dirt road with very few obstacles, so it’s a relaxed ride with big views of the back side of Sand Hollow, the Hurricane Cliffs and the Pine Valley Mountains. Fort Pearce and the dinosaur tracks are short, signed side roads off the main route, about 8 to 9 miles in.
Fort Pearce
Fort Pearce was built in 1866 above the only natural spring for miles, to guard settlers’ livestock in the St. George basin. Its stone walls still stand 7 to 8 feet high around two rooms, and the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a short walk from the parking area, with interpretive signs that tell the story.
Warner Valley Dinosaur Track Site
More than 400 dinosaur footprints are preserved in the sandstone here, most of them left by meat-eating dinosaurs walking through soft mud about 200 million years ago. From the parking area it’s an easy walk of a few hundred yards across a sandy wash and slickrock. The tracks are protected fossils, so look and take pictures, but don’t touch, trace or make casts.
Tips for a great ride
- Go early in summer. Morning rides beat the heat.
- Stay on the road. Parts of Warner Valley protect a rare cactus found only in this area.
- Watch the washes. Don’t cross a flooded wash after a storm.
- Bring water and sunscreen. There’s no shade or water at the sites.
- Want more? Combine Warner Valley with the Honeymoon Trail or the dunes at Sand Hollow.
Ride Warner Valley with us
Warner Valley is right next door to Sand Hollow, which makes it an easy add-on to any UTV rental. It’s also a great choice for a guided tour if you want the history and the dinosaur stories along the way.
Ready to see the dinosaur tracks? Our UTVs are street legal, so you can drive right to the trailhead, or let a guide lead the way. Open every day, 7am to 10pm.
Drivers must be 18 or older with a valid driver’s license and must complete Utah’s free online OHV education course before riding. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes, and you only take it once.
More rides nearby
See our guides to West Rim Trail, Milt’s Mile and Sand Hollow riding rules.