The Hurricane Valley

Hurricane, La Verkin, and Toquerville

The Hurricane Valley, comprised of the cities of Hurricane, La Verkin, and Toquerville, is situated about 20 miles from the city of St. George. The Valley is nestled in the heart of the region's many national parks, monuments and other scenic treasures, often called the Grand Circle. There's enough to do and see within a reasonable radius to fill an entire vacation.

Hurricane, pronounce Herrikin, derived its name from Erastus Snow, who was returning to St. George from visiting the Virgin River communities. As his company made its way into the valley, an abrupt whirlwind whisked off his buggy top, and Erastus remarked that it was just like a hurricane! They agreed the name fit, and the Hurricane Hill, Bench, and Valley were named.

La Verkin is located midway between Hurricane and Toquerville. As noted by its citizens, La Verkin isknown as "The Beautiful Valley" because of its rich farmlands, which fill the LaVerkin bench between the La Verkin Creek on the west and the Hurricane Fault to the east. Although there are several stories surrounding the name of the city, one most genuine is that La Verkin is Indian for Beautiful Valley.

Toquerville, pronounced Toe-ker-ville, is located in a wide valley flanking Ash Creek and at the base of a mountain capped with block lava rock. This city derives its name from the Indian word "toquer" meaning black. With the abundance of black rock on the hill to the east of the town and in the field surrounding the town, the name is appropriate.

All three cities are unique but share what is known as the Hurricane Valley. This is a region of contrasts; from the Mojave Desert at 2,000 feet above sea level in the Virgin River Gorge, to the 10,000 foot Alpine wilderness on the ridges of Pine Valley Mountain. The Hurricane Valley is an area of fertile farm lands where some of the finest produce in the country abounds. The entire area is a contrast of beauty in color, texture and atmosphere. The area appeals to young and old and provides for all within this scenic setting of Southern Utah.

The Valley is surrounded by ghost towns, state parks, the canyons, coves, cactus garden, streams, golf courses, mineral pools, tennis courts, swiming holes, pioneer buildings, horseback riding, cycling, hiking, photo opportunities, Kolob Terrace and Fingers, as well as our newest designated state park of Sand Hollow. You will soon realize that this is a place where you're going to want to stay awhile. Hurricane Valley serves as the crossroads to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Lake Powell, and Grand Canyon National Park, which provide perfect boundaries to this beautiful valley.