Sand Hollow Red Shorts Challenge
Imagine diving down to a small plane parked on the bottom of a lake in the Utah desert. That's Sand Hollow.
Join The Dive Shop for a Red Shorts Challenge dive at Sand Hollow State Park near St. George. It's a fun, scenic dive with something to find at every stop.
Availability: Contact us for booking information
What to expect
Sand Hollow is a reservoir in red rock country, and the diving there is as much about exploring as it is about fish. Guide lines lead to most of the underwater attractions, so it's easy to follow and fun for groups.
What's under the water
Local divers and shops have sunk a whole collection of things here over the years. According to St. George News, they include:
- A twin-engine Cessna airplane on the lake floor
- A Volkswagen bus at about 40 feet
- A 26-foot cruiser at about 60 feet, sunk for search and rescue training
- An air tank with welded fins that looks like a bomb, at about 30 feet
- A white toilet at about 30 feet
- Underwater signs, plus an obstacle course with pipes and hoops
There's also a buoyancy course built from large drainage culverts, a great place to practice. Stay out of the bus and the plane unless you have the right training, since they're confined spaces with metal edges.
The site
- Depth: up to about 95 feet
- Altitude: about 3,000 feet, so set your dive computer for altitude
- Season: clear and warm enough for diving year-round, according to St. George News, with summer water temperatures in the mid to upper 70s, per Scuba Diving magazine
- Certification: you need an open water card to dive here
Park details
PADI lists a day-use fee of $20 per vehicle, two campgrounds on site, and a dive shop at the park that provides air fills and rentals, usually on weekends. Fees change, so check the current rate before you go.
Want to read more before you go?
- St. George News: what lurks in the depths of Sand Hollow
- PADI: Sand Hollow Reservoir
- Scuba Diving: where to dive in Utah
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see at Sand Hollow?
A twin-engine Cessna, a VW bus, a boat, an air tank that looks like a bomb, a white toilet, signs and an obstacle course with pipes and hoops, all connected by guide lines.
How deep is Sand Hollow?
The reservoir is up to about 95 feet deep. Many of the attractions are shallower than that.
Is it an altitude dive?
Yes. The lake is around 3,000 feet above sea level, so set your dive computer for altitude.
Do I need to be certified?
Yes. You need an open water card to dive at Sand Hollow, and to rent gear there.
Can I go inside the bus and plane?
We'd say no unless you have the training. They're confined spaces with metal edges.
Does this count toward the Red Shorts Challenge?
Yes. It's a Red Shorts Challenge dive. You need to actually dive, and a Dive Shop rep will stamp your passport.
How do I sign up?
Contact us for booking information at (801) 295-5445 or email@the-dive-shop.com.
