A Red Rock Filled Hike In Utah Leads To One Of The State's Prettiest Secret Swimming Holes

Southern Utah is a wonderland of red rock canyons and gorgeous deserts where you can camp, hike, mountain bike, or just sit in awe and take it all in. There are also a number of amazing swimming holes hidden in this region, offering sweet places to hang out and relax on a hot day — if you know how to find them. One such place is Babylon Arch Beach, a delightful stretch of sand along the Virgin River near the towns of Leeds and St. George, Utah, in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. Note that Babylon Arch Beach is not a drive-up beach, however, and you won't find any refreshment stands or cute lifeguards around here. 

To access this ravishing-but-rugged swimming area, you need to hike the Babylon Arch Trail — an out-and-back trek through tricky terrain that has at least one steep descent. But according to hikers like AllTrails user Evan Loeffler, the effort pays off in the end: "If you have an adventurers spirit there are so many nooks and crannies to explore and have fun, a dip in the river at the end rewards you." The alternating sandy-and-rocky path winds through a scenic desert canyon and can be difficult to follow at times, so definitely use a map or GPS coordinates. The trail ends at a small rock arch, beyond which is the Virgin River and Babylon Arch Beach, where you can splash around and enjoy being surrounded by nature.

Since the water levels in the river decrease during the summer, the best time to do this hike is in late spring, if swimming is what you're after. Another tip: The hot sand on this beach can burn your feet on a bright day, so tread lightly or wear protective footwear. Don't be fooled by the short length of this hike — bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and other day-hiking essential gear to stay safe while frolicking in the desert. Finally, allow a few hours for the hike, and consider hiking in the morning or early evening to avoid the hottest part of the day, as air midday temperatures often exceed 100 degrees during the peak of summer. 

Another important thing to know is that within the Red Cliffs Conservation Area, there are two ways to access the Babylon Arch trailhead: the Sand Cove trailhead or the Primitive Camping Area trailhead. From the Sand Cove trailhead, the round-trip route to connect to the Babylon Arch Trail and reach the arch is 2.2 miles. The round trip distance from the Primitive Camping Area is shorter at 1.5 miles, but you need a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle to reach the parking lot at the camping area. A 4x4 may also be useful on the sandy road to the Sand Cove trailhead, especially in wet weather. 

Babylon Arch Beach would make a great stopover on a road trip to see Utah's Mighty Five National Parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands. From the Sand Cove trailhead, you're only a 25-minute drive from the entrance to Zion National Park. And your epic adventure would roll on from there.