Snow Canyon
Contrary to its name, winter visitors will rarely find any “white stuff” at this 7,100-acre desert park. Named after Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, early Utah leaders, Snow Canyon offers 16 miles of hiking trails, technical rock climbing, horseback riding, year-round camping, nature studies, wildlife viewing, and photographic opportunities galore.
Notorious for its unique geologic features, Snow Canyon is comprised of ancient volcanic cones, sand dunes, deep red sandstone cliffs and twisted layers of rock. The scenery is so spectacular, it has been the back drop for many movies, including The Electric Horseman and Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.
October through May are the best times for outdoor recreation, as the area is hot and dry in the summer.
Camping
Facilities include a 35-unit campground, modern rest rooms, hot showers, electric hookups, sewage disposal station, and a covered group-use pavilion and overflow campground. Camping fees range $15 to $18 a site. Reservations are accepted at 800-322-3770.
Hiking Trails
>| Whiptail Trail |
| 6 miles. Easy. Level with some slopes. Accessible to physically challenged. Tucked along the canyon bottom, this sinuous paved trail is suitable for hiking, jogging, biking and rollerblading. |
| Johnson Canyon |
| (Open November 15 to March 1 only) - 2 miles. Easy. Level with some rocky slopes and steps. Boasting the only riparian area in the park, this trail winds through lava flows and red rock to an arch spanning 200 feet. |
| Jenny's Canyon |
| (Closed March 31 to June 1) -One-half mile. Easy, bevel with few slopes and steps. Trail leads to a narrow, sculpted canyon. |
| Sand Dunes |
| One-half mile. Easy. Deep sand with some slopes. Trail leads to a large expanse of red sand that is an excellent play area for children of all ages. |
| West Canyon Road |
| 7 miles. Easy. Gravel and sand surface. Fairly level. Trail follows a maintenance road winding past washes ' and towering cliffs to the mouth of present day Snow Canyon. |
| Pioneer Names |
| One-half mile. Easy: Fairly level with some steps and slopes. This crescent shaped trail passes pioneer names; written in axle grease, dating back to 1883. |
| Hidden Pinyon |
| 1.5 miles. Moderate. Rocky slopes. Drop-offs. This self-'guided nature trail introduces geological features and native plants of the park. |
| Three Ponds |
| 3.5 miles. Moderate. Some rocky slopes. Deep sand. Trail winds through sandy washes to mouth of a 400-foot canyon. Potholes eroded in sandstone catch seasonal rain, giving the trail its name. |
| Petrified Dunes Trail |
| 1 mile. Moderate. Some steep slopes, uneven surfaces. This trail crosses massive sandstone outcrops where you may explore sand dunes frozen in time. |
| Butterfly Trail |
| 2 miles.. Moderate. Some steep slopes, steps and uneven surfaces. Winding along the west. side of Petrified Dunes, this trail leads to West Canyon Overlook and lava tubes. |
| White Rocks Trail/Lava Flow Overlook |
| 4 miles. Moderate. Some rocky slopes, uneven surfaces. Passing through lava flows, juniper stands and breathtaking views of West Canyon, trail leads to a natural amphitheater set in white sandstone. Or reach the amphitheater on a 1-mile trail located one-half mile north of State Route 18 junction. |
Entrance Fees
Day use entrance fees for the park are $5 per vehicle for up to 8 people; $2 per person beyond eight. Entrance fees are paid at either the north or south entrances. Rangers are on hand to answer questions and a park brochure is provided at the entrance.
Getting There
Travel north along Hwy 18 from St George eight miles to Snow Canyon Drive, turn west and follow road to Park entrance.
For more information about Snow Canyon State Park, click on their website at www.utah.com/stateparks
Snow Canyon State Park
P.O. Box 140
Santa Clara, Utah 84765-0140
435-628-2255