Toquerville

Toquerville can be explored through its landscape, local history, and trails. Black lava rock and red ridges are part of the scenery. There are also historic homes, city parks, and routes for different activities. If you want to discover a destination through more than one attraction, you’ll find both pioneer-era buildings and ways to experience the landscape and the surroundings of Ash Creek here.

Landscape and City Parks

Ash Creek Canyon runs through Toquerville and contributes to the surrounding riparian habitat. This is a different aspect of the landscape from the black lava rock and red ridges: here, a waterway shapes the townscape. Several landscape features therefore sit side by side in Toquerville without needing to be combined into a single route or shared destination.

The city parks are open to the public for residents and visitors. Private reservations may temporarily restrict public access; individual facilities may also be reserved. Center Street Park includes a paved path and a bridge over Ash Creek. Trail Ridge Estates Park also has a path and a bridge, in this case over La Verkin Creek, as well as a disc golf course. The parks can therefore be distinguished by their amenities: Center Street Park features a path and an Ash Creek bridge, while Trail Ridge Estates Park also has a course.

Trails and Routes Compared

The La Verkin Creek Path is suitable for walking, jogging, and cycling along La Verkin Creek. It accommodates several forms of activity, while the Toquerville Falls Main Trail is described in more detail by its listed route data: it is an 11.8-mile out-and-back route on a gravel or unpaved road, with 1,978 feet of elevation gain. The distance and elevation gain can help you gauge the scope of this route. Trail conditions can change, so check them before setting out.

Nephi's Twist is a downhill, singletrack mountain biking trail rated Black Diamond and is one of the so-called social trails. With this trail status, conditions and access may change; check both before using it. The information about this trail therefore describes a different type of activity from the La Verkin Creek Path, which is used for walking, jogging, and cycling, or the out-and-back route to Toquerville Falls. These differences can help you choose the type of trail that fits your travel plans.

Historic Homes and Local History

A walking tour takes you to four historic buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places, as well as fourteen other historically significant buildings. If you want to learn about Toquerville through several buildings, this tour offers a shared point of historical reference. Two of the homes described also provide a concrete sense of the town’s architecture and building history.

The John Steele House is a single-story adobe home in regional vernacular architecture, with two parlors; it was built around 1862. The Thomas Forsyth House dates to around 1868 and is one of the few surviving pioneer-era homes in Toquerville and throughout Washington County. The approximate construction dates of around 1862 and 1868 can be compared. The John Steele House is described in terms of its construction and parlors, while the Thomas Forsyth House’s designation as a rare surviving pioneer-era home highlights its significance beyond the town itself.

Toquerville Hall is also part of the town’s architectural history. It is a single-story meetinghouse in the Greek Revival style, with a temple form and minor Italianate elements. Its local significance under Criterion A is associated with the areas of religion, entertainment, and recreation. These historical points of interest complement one another: pioneer-era homes stand alongside a meetinghouse whose significance is connected with religion and community activities.

Fig harvesting is also part of the town’s history. Toquerville was historically known for it, and people traveled from elsewhere to buy the harvest. This aspect adds an agricultural dimension to the town’s architectural history: local history can be seen in both surviving buildings and the former importance of the harvest.

Discover more destinations: St George, La Verkin, Washington, Virgin, Hurricane, Ivins.

Go to the main travel overview: Washington.