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.
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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.
Bone Wash Trail in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve– By Tom Garrison –Location: Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Utah. Difficulty: A moderately strenuous hike due to slogging through about two miles of loose sand. Average Hiking Time: About 2 ½ hours at a leisurely pace with many photo stops for this 4.2-mile out-and-back hike. Elevations: 3,077 feet trailhead elevation with an approximately 225 feet elevation gain from the trailhead to the...
– By Tom Garrison –
Location: Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Utah. Difficulty: A moderately strenuous hike due to slogging through about two miles of loose sand. Average Hiking Time: About 2 ½ hours at a leisurely pace with many photo stops for this 4.2-mile out-and-back hike. Elevations: 3,077 feet trailhead elevation with an approximately 225 feet elevation gain from the trailhead to the highest point. Family Friendly: Other than walking through a lot of loose sand, there are no obstacles preventing young children from doing this hike. We saw several kids and dogs on the hike.
Finding the Trailhead: Drive north on Main Street in Washington City and cross under Interstate 15. Immediately after crossing under the Interstate is a four way stop with Buena Vista Boulevard being the cross street. Continue north on Main Street and at ½ mile from the intersection is another intersection with Washington Parkway. Turn left (west) onto the Parkway and very quickly, within about 100 yards, turn right (north) onto a major dirt road marked with a large sign reading “Alternative Trail Access Mill Creek & Dino Cliffs.” Stay on the main track (heading north), alongside a string of power poles in a north-south orientation, for .8 mile on this mostly good dirt road, the first section is rocky with some large dips, to the Mill Creek Trailhead which is also the Bone Wash Trailhead. The trailhead is designated by a fence with a stepover and a closed gate. The Mill Creek Trail sign is just beyond the gate. There is ample parking for several cars, a good thing since there were already five cars parked when we arrived at 9:30 am. And double that number when we returned to the trailhead 2 ½ hours later.
The great Utah southwest desert is the source of many wonders—amazing red rock formations, slot canyons, arches, side canyons, and tough flora and fauna. The latest adventure for me and my wife Deb is exploring Bone Wash Trail in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. It contains several of the natural wonders we love.
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.
The Mill Creek Trailhead has an elevation of 3,077 feet. The hike is about 4.2 miles round trip with a 225 feet elevation change that took us about 2 ½ hours at a leisurely pace. The temperature was in the low-50s with a hazy overcast sky for our early spring (late March) hike. We followed Mill Creek Trail north about .3 mile to the signed Bone Wash Trail junction and took the trail (actually a fairly wide dirt road) to the right (northeast).
After about .6 mile from the junction we reached a pumping station and went down a short incline into Bone Wash. The wide sandy wash is the trail for the next .5 miles. A half mile through loose sand is not much fun, but we were distracted by the views and close by red rock formations with weird erosion patterns. Approximately .5 miles along Bone Wash (about 1.4 miles from the trailhead) we reached the Elephant Arch Trail junction to the right. Unsigned Bone Wash Trail continues to the left (north) through a small 100 feet long slot.
We had been at this junction a couple of times going to Elephant Arch. This time we were going to explore new territory in upper Bone Wash.
Upper Bone Wash widens into a larger red sandstone canyon with numerous strange sandstone formations, small arches, side canyons to explore, and a large box canyon at the end. Unfortunately, most of this section of the trail continues to be soft sand. The varied red sandstone formations are alone worth the hike. About .7 mile from the Elephant Arch junction (2.1 miles from the trailhead) we reached the head of a box canyon—the end of the signed trail.
If you want more exploring, there is a user trail about 100 yards south of the end of the box canyon on the left (west) as you walk up canyon. This takes you around the box canyon and further up the wash. Be aware that this user trail requires frequent rock scrambling. This user trail goes another .8 mile one way from the box canyon. It ends for most people where the canyon narrows and large rock falls obstruct further travel.
We began our return trip upon reaching the head of the box canyon. We did not take the user trail. You might want to, but we are both in our 70s and decided against rock scrambling and another 1.6 miles round trip added to our hike.
During our hike, we saw and talked to more than 35 people. I always asked if they were going to Elephant Arch. Everyone answered “yes.” Not surprisingly, we did not see another soul in upper Bone Wash. If you want a hike that isn’t crowded and the latter part is spectacular, give Bone Wash Trail a try.
Confluence Trail in Confluence ParkTrail: Confluence Trail Location: Confluence Park in Hurricane and La Verkin Difficulty: Easy Average Hiking Time: Less than two hours at a leisurely pace for the 3.6-mile round trip hike. Family Friendly: Yes. It is an easy and almost flat hike on a crushed red rock road.Getting There: To reach the trailhead from St. George, proceed east to Hurricane along State Route 9 (aka State Street). ...
Trail: Confluence Trail Location: Confluence Park in Hurricane and La Verkin Difficulty: Easy Average Hiking Time: Less than two hours at a leisurely pace for the 3.6-mile round trip hike. Family Friendly: Yes. It is an easy and almost flat hike on a crushed red rock road.
Getting There: To reach the trailhead from St. George, proceed east to Hurricane along State Route 9 (aka State Street). Stay on State Route 9 as it jogs north, crosses the Virgin River, and enters La Verkin. At 500 North Street in La Verkin, State Route 9 turns east toward Zion National Park. Do not turn, continue north on the now named State Route 17 (or State Street). About 1/2 mile past the State Route 9 turnoff, turn left (west) on 900 North Street into a subdivision named Riverwood. Stay on 900 North and in .1 mile it becomes a good dirt road. Follow the dirt road about ½ mile to Confluence Park. There is a big “Confluence Park” sign at the entrance to the large parking area with an information kiosk and pit toilets but no water. This is the trailhead and main entrance to the park.
There are three other trailheads for this hike, but all three have a steep entrance into the drainage and small parking areas.
A new year, a new hike. Works for me. My wife, Deb, and I traditionally do a hike on New Years’ Day. We have explored all over the Southwest—scores of hikes in Utah. Somehow, we missed Confluence Trail in Confluence Park stretching between Hurricane and La Verkin. This is a close-by easy less than four-mile round trip hike steeped in history. Let’s go.
The 334-acre Confluence Park is managed by Washington County through the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. Most of the park is at the bottom of large basalt cliffs, providing visitors some isolation from the cities (Hurricane and La Verkin) above. Oddly enough, Confluence Park is named for the confluence of Ash Creek and La Verkin Creek into the Virgin River.
The confluence area is also home to a variety of wildlife. Foxes, falcons, rattlesnakes, deer, porcupine, beaver, raccoons, and more thrive in the rich vegetation of a riparian environment uncommon to a typical desert region.
The park includes a network of ten trails. Along the longest, Confluence Trail can be found evidence of previous human habitation. The Confluence Park area has been inhabited for thousands of years. First by the Anasazi, then by Southern Paiutes, later by European explorers, and finally by fur trappers and Mormon pioneers. Among the structures and artifacts still existing are an Anasazi cave-dwelling, a nearly intact granary used for a former turkey farm, a dairy barn and corral, and an abandoned hydroelectric plant.
We parked and began our New Years’ Day hike along Confluence Trail about 10:00 am under blue Utah sky with the temperature in the low 40s. The trailhead elevation is 2,955 feet with less than a 100 feet elevation change during the hike.
The trailhead, also an access trail to La Verkin Creek Trail, is located at the western part of the parking area. There is a step-over and we were on the trail heading south. Saying trail conjures up the mental image of a rock-strewn dirt path. Not this trail. All the way to the endpoint, an abandoned hydroelectric plant, the “trail” is a crushed red rock road.
The first 1/4 mile runs along La Verkin Creek. The creek, and later on the Virgin River, are to the west (right) and massive cliffs that soon turn to basalt rock on the east (left) of the trail.
Soon the trail veered away from the creek and continued south. About ¾ mile into the hike we came across an old dairy barn and concrete corral on our right (west). At its heyday in the 1950s, the dairy had a herd of about 40 to 50 cattle.
At 1.1 miles from the trailhead, we came to a junction with Cactus Cliffs Trail. Here, at the bottom of the cliffs on our left (east), we saw the Anasazi cave dwelling. Scrambling up to it via a short user trail reveals a fire-blackened roof where, hundreds of years ago, Anasazi sought shelter and warmth from the elements.
A short walk from the junction the trail skirted the Virgin River and an open beach area with two picnic tables. A great place to stop and admire the views.
About 1.5 miles into the hike a tall abandoned grain storage building for a long-ago turkey farm appeared on our left (northeast) beneath massive basalt cliffs. Listen closely and you can hear the turkeys gobbling for some grain. We followed a user’s trail to explore the building and surrounding cliffs.
There is another red crushed rock road near the granary heading south. It roughly parallels and later joins the Confluence Trail.
The end of the hike for us, 1.8 miles in, was the abandoned Dixie Power hydroelectric plant on the north bank of the Virgin River. Becoming operational in 1929 and closed in 1983, the ruined structure still houses the turbine and machinery once used to generate electricity. According to published reports, the generator was extremely noisy when in operation. Nice and quiet while we were there.
Being so close to civilization, I imagine this trail usually has many users. However, on a fairly cold New Years’ Day we only saw two other hikers. We did come across many birds including a covey of quail.
This 3.6-mile round trip easy hike is perfect for folks wanting to “get away from it all” for a couple of hours. It is close by with easy access and features interesting historical structures—all in a riparian environment in the middle of the desert.
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