It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Crystal Ball Cave gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Garrison, UT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Emily and I (Nolan) are very grateful you all gave us the opportunity to work”
“I have used this company for a few of my residents. They take such good”
“I can’t say enough about Always Best Care. Henry and his staff was there from”
“They were wonderful watching my husband why I had to work stayed right with him”
“I work with Always Best Care and it's been an amazing experience for me. I”
“Amazing staff! I am so glad to have found Always Best Care, it is a”
“I’m so glad we found Always Best Care to help our family take care of”
“I have used the services of Always Best Care since Sept. 2021. I have been”
“Always Best Care is amazing! All of the caregivers are professional and provide the best”
“Great staff. Working around my schedule and always there when I need them.”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and”
“They really care about their clients and staff, fast turnaround and superb care”
“The owners and staff at Always Best Care are so professional and friendly! With aging”
“The staff are exceptional and truly have their patients best interest in mind. Grateful to”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have organized and caring faculty and staff. They genuinely care”
“Great place to work. They are very helpful and also fast to respond to any”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we”
“Great to work with, caring, compassionate and willing to work with different situations! They take”
“The caregivers and staff at Always Best Care of St George are top notch. I”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we”
“Friendly and knowledgeable staff!”
“Emily and I (Nolan) are very grateful you all gave us the opportunity to work here. We had excellent experiences with management, caregivers, and our clients. We are thankful for your patience with our schedules and experience. We have learned a lot from being here, and we hope that our experiences from being here can be for our future benefit. We’d recommend working at ABC to our friends because of the great experiences we’ve had her. Emily and Nolan”
“I have used this company for a few of my residents. They take such good care of their clients and do such a good job at taking the time with each and every one of them. They go above and beyond for their clients. I’d definitely recommend them!”
“I can’t say enough about Always Best Care. Henry and his staff was there from the start to help me find a sitter. I was in a position where I needed immediate help and they came through. His staff was caring and responsible. They helped me through a very difficult time.”
“They were wonderful watching my husband why I had to work stayed right with him so he didn’t fall”
“I work with Always Best Care and it's been an amazing experience for me. I have learned so much about not only our patients we help, but the compassionate hard working people that are behind it all. I'm so grateful to work with such a caring, kind and helpful company they really do treat you like family❤. Not only are they giving back each day to patients who need them they are kind and caring to their employees as well. I love working for this company!”
“Amazing staff! I am so glad to have found Always Best Care, it is a blessing. I live 300 miles away from my elderly parents and cannot always travel, it’s comforting to know that my parents are in great hands and that I don’t have to worry about them. The staff is well trained and the management goes above and beyond to meet your needs. I think of them as angels in disguise!”
“I’m so glad we found Always Best Care to help our family take care of my grandpa! They have been amazing to work with. It’s such a relief to find a company that has open communication and cares about their clients and the clients family, too!”
“I have used the services of Always Best Care since Sept. 2021. I have been very pleased with the attentive care they have given my husband. They have been flexible, accommodating, and gone the extra mile helping with my husband's needs. As an example, I was away for the day and I was called by the caregiver that my husband was not doing well. I came home and we decided to take him to the emergency room. The caregiver came with us and stayed at the hospital for hours. He was released with the medication he needed for his recovery and she helped bring him home and get him settled before she left. This was way into the night and passed her normal working hours. One of my requests before hiring on a Senior Service was that the caregivers enjoyed their job and enjoyed working with challenging patients. I use their service six days a week and every caregiver has been kind, compassionate, and hard working. I really have been pleased.”
“Always Best Care is amazing! All of the caregivers are professional and provide the best care. I have tried multiple different agencies in the area for help with my grandmother and none have been as attentive and helpful as ABC”
“Great staff. Working around my schedule and always there when I need them.”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and beyond providing amazing care for the elderly with the help of trustworthy caregivers! They work as a team which makes the environment of there company so unique. Thank you always best care you have been amazing.”
“Always best care has the most genuine team I’ve ever seen. They go above and beyond providing amazing care for the elderly with the help of trustworthy caregivers! They work as a team which makes the environment of there company so unique. Thank you always best care you have been amazing.”
“They really care about their clients and staff, fast turnaround and superb care”
“The owners and staff at Always Best Care are so professional and friendly! With aging parents, it’s so nice to have the staff here to step in and help with caring for them. They are able to set everything up so quickly and provide the care when we need it! We are so happy we found out about them!!”
“The staff are exceptional and truly have their patients best interest in mind. Grateful to have found a company that will care for my loved ones in a way I would myself. Thank you!!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have organized and caring faculty and staff. They genuinely care for their clients and want to help them in the best way possible. We are so happy with the services they provide.”
“Great place to work. They are very helpful and also fast to respond to any questions that I have. Thank you ABC!”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we need more help with our aging parents. The office staff and owners are very professional and kind and they seem to be extremely careful in hiring staff that reflect the same values. I feel safe in trusting the caregivers. It's a huge relief to know that we have someone else who can help fill in when we can't be there or our parents just need more help than we can give.”
“Great to work with, caring, compassionate and willing to work with different situations! They take time to understand needs to accommodate the best way to help! They are trustworthy, dependable and a business you can count on!!????”
“The caregivers and staff at Always Best Care of St George are top notch. I highly recommend them for in home senior care services!”
“I'm so happy to have Always Best Care as a resource for us when we need more help with our aging parents. The office staff and owners are very professional and kind and they seem to be extremely careful in hiring staff that reflect the same values. I feel safe in trusting the caregivers. It's a huge relief to know that we have someone else who can help fill in when we can't be there or our parents just need more help than we can give.”
“Friendly and knowledgeable staff!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Castle Rock Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Spotlite Cafe or visit Site of First Log House in the Deer Lodge Valley, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
Request More Information
While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Garrison, UT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Garrison, UT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Garrison, UT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Tom Garrison – A Modern-Day Explorer– By James McFadden – Tom Garrison & his wife Deb are what I would call ‘Modern Day Explorers’ who are bringing Hiking Southern Utah into the palms of your hands the only way truly possible: one hike at a time.One only needs to visit their home to understand just how much Tom & Deb love the outdoors and the opportunity to explore. You se...
– By James McFadden –
Tom Garrison & his wife Deb are what I would call ‘Modern Day Explorers’ who are bringing Hiking Southern Utah into the palms of your hands the only way truly possible: one hike at a time.
One only needs to visit their home to understand just how much Tom & Deb love the outdoors and the opportunity to explore. You see, their backyard is, in and of itself, a hike. Complete with trailhead plaques, expedition markers, and places to rest along the way where they grow grapes and strawberries and harvest pomegranate each year.
Over the last few years, I have had the pleasure of reading and experiencing some of Tom’s 125 documented expeditions, including his hikes throughout southern Nevada, which are all just a stone’s throw away from us here in southern Utah.
To showcase his hikes, he has been publishing them both online and in print for well over 13 years now, with his first official publication hitting Amazon bookshelves back in 2015.
Tom’s consistent style of documenting each hike helps the reader quickly determine the most important details that should be considered before embarking on each expedition. Making them a perfect guide for all skill levels when it comes to setting out to explore.
Each guide, currently there are five (5), gives the reader a substantial introduction to each hike which includes hiking tips for the desert, trailhead map locators, and details covering hiking etiquette, collecting on private lands, hiking equipment, the terrain one might expect to encounter, and how to stay safe while experiencing what nature has created for us to enjoy; including other important resources available to help the reader plan ahead.
Each publication also comes with a ‘Quick Guide’ covering trail-head access, average time to hike, hike distance, and difficulty ratings. So those with little ones can quickly determine which hikes might require more preparation or those that are a little more family-friendly than others.
Tom’s latest guide, Hiking Southern Utah Volume Four, was just recently published a few short months ago on Amazon.com and you can find his full collection for southern Utah at www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZDDTV9C.
I highly recommend you add these incredible works to your collection, especially if you are new to hiking or an avid explorer looking to visit southern Utah sometime soon. Each hike is filled with pictures and insights that will certainly add to your experience.
Thank you, Tom, for your many years of dedication and for making the art of hiking southern Utah that much more enjoyable for those of us who are following you in your footsteps.
– By Tom Garrison –Trail: Winchester Trail and Buckskin Hollow Location: Red Cliffs Desert Reserve Difficulty: Moderately strenuous due to elevation change and required scrambling Distance: 4.5 miles Trailhead Elevation: 3,870 feet Average Hiking Time: About three hours Kid-Friendly: Not suitable for young kids, a lot of elevation change on a rocky trailEveryone loves a surprise. Yes? Of co...
– By Tom Garrison –
Trail: Winchester Trail and Buckskin Hollow Location: Red Cliffs Desert Reserve Difficulty: Moderately strenuous due to elevation change and required scrambling Distance: 4.5 miles Trailhead Elevation: 3,870 feet Average Hiking Time: About three hours Kid-Friendly: Not suitable for young kids, a lot of elevation change on a rocky trail
Everyone loves a surprise. Yes? Of course. Who doesn’t enjoy opening a present, and instead of getting the boring item you knew was there, the gift is a joy, just what you wanted. Or the surprise birthday party where people jump up from behind furniture or, like apparitions, flow from the walls to scare the crap out of you. What could be more fun?
Well, how about a rather mundane hike that once you make a left turn becomes a glorious riot of swoopy, striped red and yellow sandstone in a virtually unknown canyon only a few miles from St. George? If you are up for this surprise, follow my wife Deb and I as we travel Winchester Trail to Buckskin Hollow in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.
The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve was established in 1996 to protect a large and diverse habitat capable of sustaining wildlife populations threatened by development and habitat loss. It comprises 62,000 acres and has more than 130 miles of shared-use trails for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Three ecosystems — the Mojave Desert, the Great Basin Desert, and the Colorado Plateau — merge in southwestern Utah, and the reserve reflects the biological diversity of this unique region.
We began this adventure on a clear early November morning. From St. George, we went north on 3050 E/Green Springs Drive, crossed under Interstate 15 (at exit 10), and turned left (west) onto Red Hills Parkway. We continued on Red Hills Parkway for 1.6 miles and turned right (north) onto Cottonwood Springs Road (aka 1550 E). Staying on the main road, we drove 5.3 miles to the signed Yellow Knolls trailhead and parking area on the right (east). The first three miles of Cottonwood Springs Road is paved, and the remainder is a good dirt road posing no problem for a standard sedan.
The Yellow Knolls trailhead has a large parking area where we parked. The Winchester Trail trailhead is on the west side about 50 yards back down (south) Cottonwood Springs Road. The trailhead is marked by a locked double gate, a step-over, and a small sign.
Since Winchester Trail is in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, there are no fees or permits necessary.
Winchester Trail follows an old vehicle track for almost two miles to its terminus at a private property near the community of Winchester Hills. The rocky, lightly used trail has several elevation gains and losses, some fairly steep. It follows a mostly northwestern direction. To the south are views of Arizona mountains; the west features red mountain vistas. Other than stunted trees and large bushes, there is no shade the entire route, so bring a hat if it is sunny.
The track starts on a wide plateau. About a quarter of a mile in, the trail, following a line of power poles, makes a 220-foot rocky descent, crossing a deep ravine at the bottom. Here, Black Gulch Trail, coming in from the north, meets Winchester Trail. Climbing out of the ravine placed us on the base of a long ridge, black with volcanic rock. A bit upslope, the line of power poles continues. The trail is a seldom-used maintenance road for the power lines.
We continued northwest, slowly ascending and following the power lines. About one mile in was another steep ravine — down and back up. We trudged along the trail and at 1.5 miles came to a nondescript shallow gully of mostly white Slickrock. The gully was on our left and goes south. This is the trailhead for Buckskin Hollow. It is not a formal trial and does not have a sign. It is about equidistant between two power poles and directly south of a large hill covered with black volcanic rock.
The shallow streambed of Buckskin Hollow is easy to follow downstream with some easily circumvented small dry falls. The first quarter-mile is mostly white sandstone. After that, the formations are a mix of colors — red, white, and yellow, often in stripes. There are many potholes. At one point, a series of three close together, and two still contained water. It had not rained in almost three weeks. We saw many animal tracks leading to these slowly evaporating pools.
The best striped and strangely eroded sandstone formations are in the cavities and falls along the upper section of the hollow. Don’t overlook them. We climbed the sides of the hollow to examine the many thin bands of bright yellow and red.
After about a quarter-mile, the sides of the hollow get closer and it becomes more of a canyon than a gully. A little less than a mile in, we stopped when confronted with a 30-foot dry fall, steep surrounding walls, and no way around unless we climbed to the top of the canyon walls. This was our turnaround point. The canyon continues about another mile.
The hike took about three hours, and we covered 4.5 miles. It is great if you want some solitude. We saw only one other person on the trail, a friendly guy on a horse. Buckskin Hollow is a surprise and worth the effort, very close to St. George, and a wonderland of stripy color.
Quail Creek Reservoir Overlook Trail From The South Shore, Quail Creek State Park– By Tom Garrison –Location: In and just south of Quail Creek State Park near Hurricane, Utah. Difficulty: Easy with several up and down sections. Average Hiking Time: A little over two hours at a leisurely pace with many stops, including about 20 minutes looking for petroglyphs (a futile attempt on our part). Elevations: 2,775 feet trailhead elevation with a...
– By Tom Garrison –
Location: In and just south of Quail Creek State Park near Hurricane, Utah. Difficulty: Easy with several up and down sections. Average Hiking Time: A little over two hours at a leisurely pace with many stops, including about 20 minutes looking for petroglyphs (a futile attempt on our part). Elevations: 2,775 feet trailhead elevation with an approximately 250 feet elevation change from the trailhead to the highest point. There are several not-too-steep up and down sections. Family Friendly: Yes, although the several up and down sections may be a bit much for young children.
Getting There: Heading north on Interstate 15 take Exit 16 onto State Route 9 toward Hurricane. Stay on State Route 9 for 2.5 miles and then turn left (north) onto State Route 318/5300 West. After .3 mile on State Route 318 turn right (south) onto an unsigned dirt road 4275 West. At the turn is a large “Zion Base Camp” sign on a chain link fence. For most of the .7 mile to the trailhead, 4275 West follows the chain link fence (on your left as you drive to the trailhead) surrounding the Quail Creek Water Treatment Plant. All along the fence are many “No Trespassing” signs. After about .2 mile on 4275 West the road makes a 90 degree left turn and continues following the fence. This section goes approximately .3 mile and then makes a 90 degree right turn. After almost .2 mile on this fenceless section of the road, to your left you’ll see a large parking area and wooden stairs embedded in the dirt on the first part of a steep slope. This is the trailhead. Park and climb the slope to reach the beginning of the trail with a large trailhead sign.
I’ve lived in the St. George area for 15 years and never did more than a quick drive by at Quail Creek State Park. My loss. Deb, my wife, occasionally goes kayaking with friends at Quail Creek Reservoir. We decided to explore the southern section of the reservoir by hiking Quail Creek Overlook Trail on the south shore of the park. A good decision for the hike featured great views of surrounding mountains and hills, colorful rugged terrain, massive dams, and a tranquil artificial lake.
Quail Creek Reservoir was completed in 1985 to provide irrigation and culinary water to the St. George area and opened to the public as a state park in 1986. The reservoir’s surface area covers about 600 acres. Most of the water in the reservoir does not come from Quail Creek but is diverted from the Virgin River and transported through a buried pipeline.
Two dams form the reservoir. The main dam is an earth-fill embankment dam. The south dam is a roller-compacted concrete dam constructed to replace the original earth-fill dam that failed in the early hours of New Year’s Day 1989.
Quail Creek’s maximum depth can reach 120 feet, so it is cold enough to sustain the stocked rainbow trout, bullhead catfish, and crappie. Largemouth bass and bluegill thrive in the reservoir’s warmer upper layers.
Remember, Quail Creek State Park is a sensitive area, so stay on the trails and minimize your impact—walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.
My wife Deb and I began our adventure on a Thursday morning in mid-April. At about 9 a.m., the temperature was in the mid-60s, and we began our hike under an awesome blue Utah sky.
The trailhead elevation is 2,775 feet, with an approximately 250-foot elevation change from the highest to the lowest part of the trail. At about 9 a.m., the temperature was in the mid-60s as we began our hike under an awesome blue Utah sky.
The trail started out heading northeast, mostly uphill, along the side of a reddish-colored ridge. Within .4 mile we reached the southeastern edge of the southernmost concrete dam. Damn, that thing is large.
Soon, we were walking along the reservoir’s southern shore, admiring the red-hued mountains surrounding it and the Pine Valley Mountains in the distance to the north. It is a bit odd to walk along the shore of a massive, deep blue man-made lake in the middle of the desert.
At about .9 mile from the trailhead, we stopped to admire the views at the Quail Creek Overlook. Pretty nice.
We soon reached the second dam, an earth-filled monstrosity, after .3 mile from the overlook (about 1.2 miles from the trailhead). We walked across the dam and at its eastern end made a sharp right (south) turn and headed down a steep slope southwest down the backside of the dam. Then made another sharp turn to the left and headed downhill toward the east on another steep slope. This took us to the base of a long ridge covered in rocks—the petroglyph site.
Deb and I have explored dozens of petroglyph sites in our 35+ years of desert hiking. This is the first time we have found zero petroglyphs. We spent 20 minutes examining the side of the ridge facing us and the backside and came up empty-handed. Oh well.
We trudged up the slopes and began the trip back to the trailhead. Along with great views, this hike also brought us several lizards and various species of birds, including a flock of ducks in the reservoir.
This is an easy hike of about 3.8 miles with several up-and-down sections that took us a little more than two hours. We saw a few other hikers, but the trail was not crowded.
385-444-7026
