Snow Canyon

Snow Canyon’s rolling petrified dunes, red and white sandstone cliffs, and stark-black lava flows make a stunning landscape. Scramble across slick rock, run over sand dunes, descend into lava tubes, and enjoy well-maintained trails. Climbers, hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and nature lovers will all find something to enjoy. Watch for wildlife, like roadrunners and kit foxes, that wander across the sand dunes. Peregrine falcons and white-throated swifts soar and dive from the cliffs. Tortoises and Gila monsters venture out from their deep burrows. Snow Canyon is an amazing outdoor classroom and playground. Trail signs can introduce you to the Colorado Plateau, Mojave and Great Basin Deserts that meet at Snow Canyon and the diverse geology, habitat, and wildlife, like the federally protected desert tortoise and Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. Let us guide you to your next adventure! For Your Safety Water – Each person in your group should carry and drink a minimum of 1-liter of water per hour. Hike – Mapped trails. Scrambling Areas – Galoot Hill, Petrified Dunes, and Whiterocks area. Heat – Avoid hiking between 11a.m. and 6p.m. when temperatures are over 95 (F). Technical Climb – More than 170 designated sport routes. Cell Service – Cell phone service is unreliable. If you become lost, stay in one location and wait for help. Canyoneer – Online permits required for Arch Canyon and Island in the Sky traverse. Bike – West Canyon Road, the Whiptail Trail, and all Paradise Canyon trails. Hike Together – It can be unsafe to hike alone. Take a friend or family member along, or tell someone of your plans. Equestrian – Ask for a map of designated horse trails. Stay on Trails – Stay to marked, designated trails; pay attention to your surroundings and frequently refer to your map. Camp – In designated campground. Scrambling and Climbing Safety – Scrambling and rock climbing are dangerous and permitted in designated areas only. Each year inexperienced visitors are seriously injured climbing on steep, loose, rock. Know the scrambling areas and only attempt technical climbs with proper equipment and training. Seasonal Closures – Some park areas are closed seasonally. Please obey all posted closures. Visitor Center If you are looking for more information, please stop by the visitor center to view exhibits, pick up informational handouts and talk with staff about how you can make your visit more special. Be Prepared – Wear a hat, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes. Bring your trail map, water, snacks, first aid kit, flashlight and safety whistle. Image courtesy of Don Hite Your park fees provide for the care, protection and enhancement of this park. Snow Canyon State Park Drive Slow Watch for Tortoises Park Location: The park is located eight miles north of St. George on State Route 18. Operating Hours: The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round. No holiday closures. Address Inquiries To: Snow Canyon State Park 1002 Snow Canyon Dr. Ivins, UT 84738 (435) 628–2255 snowcanyon@utah.gov or Utah State Parks P.O. Box 146001 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6001 (801) 538-7220 stateparks.utah.gov Every year hundreds of animals are hit and killed on the park roadway— including threatened Mojave desert tortoises. So relax, enjoy the drive, and keep your eyes on the road. When to Move a Tortoise It is unlawful to harass or collect tortoises but if you see one crossing the road and can safely move it out of harm’s way, please follow these steps: For Campground Reservations: Phone: (800) 322-3770 Online: utahstateparks.reserveamerica.com 1. Stop your car in a safe place. 2. Slowly approach the tortoise, noting the direction of travel. Utah State Parks Mission: To enhance the quality of life by preserving and providing natural, cultural and recreational resources for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. 3. Pick it up using both hands and hold it in its normal walking position, level to the ground. 4. Carefully carry it across the road in the same direction, taking it at least 50 feet from the roadway. generated at BeQRious.com Visit Us Online: stateparks.utah.gov/snow-canyon 5. Report your observations to park staff. Follow Us On Instagram: snowcanyonstatepark Information contained in this brochure was accurate at the time of printing. Policies, facilities, fees, hours and regulations, etc., change as mandated. For updated information, please contact the park. Image courtesy of Don Hite. Utah State Parks Updated 02/2023 One Hour Visit Half-Day Hike Half-Day Exploration Only one hour to visit? Soak in the desert scenery and contrasting colors of ancient rock formations with a drive through the park. Paradise Canyon Loop Main Canyon Loop Trailhead: Chuckwalla Trailhead. Trailhead: Hidden Pinyon Trailhead. Overlook: Stop at the Snow Canyon Scenic Overlook off Highway 18 for sweeping vistas. Route: Chuckwalla to Beck Hill to Paradise Rim, then Halfway Wash back to Chuckwalla. Followed by a short hike: Petrified Dunes, Tortoise Walk, or Jenny’s Canyon. Details: 4.7-miles. Moderate. Multiple use route. Route: Hidden Pinyon to Whiptail to scramble over the Petrified Dunes to Butterfly to Lava Flow (bring a flashlight to explore inside the lava tubes), to West Canyon Road to Red Sands to Hidden Pinyon. yon Dr i ve Highlights: The best of the best in Snow Canyon. Slick rock, lava tubes, contrasting red and white sands, winding rock passages, and chances to view raptors, reptiles, and other canyon wildlife. ow Petrified Dunes Details: 4-miles of trail plus Petrified Dunes scrambling and lava tube exploration. Moderate. Hiking only route. Can Highlights: Observe technical climbers along Chuckwalla Wall. Take in long views from Beck Hill including basalt capped cliffs that were once valley bottoms. Enjoy amazing panoramas of St. George and Ivins from the craggy rim. Excellent opportunities for Rus ty Cl springtime wildlife and wildflower viewing. i Sn Lava Flo G ila D rive on La v w any wC Whiptail Torto ise Wa lk Lower Galoot Picnic ny on Campground Picnic tail Half-Day Exploration Chuckwalla Tailhead Upper Galoot Picnic s i South to St. George nd H i d d en P a Sa Rd on ny w ck sh Wa a ll ed R Halfw a y Ch u We s t ay 18 Highw Gap Park Bou ndary Ca Petrified Dunes Sno all Jenny’s Canyon image courtesy of Don Hite. im G ec k o Jenny’s Canyon 18 eR to Main Canyon Butt y erfl W d is Para 5 Tortoise Walk w tle Lava Tubes d Roa T ur a Flo y on ill Can West ck H Be Park Boundary Half-Day Hike Contact the Park Recreate in Designated Areas ffs Hiking Recommendations Welcome! 5 SNOW CANYON STATE PARK er C one nd Key Ci Park Boun dary Snow Canyon State Park Trails 5 to Veyo Entrance Station Whiterocks Amphitheater Visitor Center Parking 18 Restroom Viewpoint Lava Tube i ve rock s Dr it e yon h Cave ow Can t Canyo Road n Wes W Picnic Area North Entrance Park Boundary Sn Highway G ila w a Flo Lav Paved Road Butt e Unpaved Road rfly Dunes lderne ss Ar ea Snow Canyon Scenic Overlook Torto ise Wa lk P e trifie d Red Mountain Wi Red San ds Upper Galoot Picnic Lower Galoot Picnic H i d d en P n Canyo Padre i ny on Campground Picnic ee Gila r Na m e s 18 Pio n d San n Du Sand Dunes Picnic es on Park Bou nda ry North South Entrance Joh rm Be nson C anyon iptail Wh ny J e n ny’s Ca Toe Cinder Cone 1.5 miles. Difficult. Steep slopes, loose uneven surfaces. Located one mile north of Snow Canyon Drive/State Route 18 junction. Hike among “lava clinkers” as you corkscrew 500 feet to the top of an extinct volcano where you can view a volcano crater and panoramic scenery. Red Sands 3.5 miles. Difficult. Deep sand and rocky slopes. Trail shares early sections with Hidden Pinyon then branches off following a sandy wash bottom through 400ft cliffs of red and white blended sandstone. Sand Dunes 0.5 mile. Easy. Deep sand with some slopes. Trail leads to a large expanse of red sand serving as a giant sandbox and play area for children of all ages. an wC 6 miles. Easy. Level with some Whiptail slopes. Accessible to people with disabilities. Tucked along the canyon bottom, this paved trail is suitable for walking, jogging, and biking. Whiterocks Trail/Whiterocks Amphitheater 4 miles. Moderate. Some rocky slopes, uneven surfaces. Trail leads to a natural sandstone amphitheater, passing through the red, white and black geologic colors of the park. Or reach the amphitheater on a one-mile trail located one-half mile north of the Snow Canyon Drive/State Route 18 junction. Paradise Canyon Trails Distances are roundtrip. 3 miles. Moderate. Level sandy Beck Hill trail transitioning to rocky climb, ending at vista overlooking the greater St. George area. Chuckwalla 2 miles. Moderate. Gateway to Paradise Canyon. Compacted sandy trail with uneven, rocky sections. Paradise Rim 2.5 miles. Moderate. Large ledges and rocky, uneven surfaces with expansive view of surrounding cities. Turtle Wall 2 Miles. Moderate. Traverse along a slickrock shelf with sections of sand and loose rock. Trail leads to Paradise Rim providing breathtaking view of surrounding mountains. rtle im Gap to St. George Ch u w ck Pioneer Names 0.5 mile. Easy. Fairly level with some steps and slopes. This crescent-shaped trail passes pioneer names, written in axle grease, dating back to 1881. West Canyon Road 8 miles. Easy. Gravel and sand surface. Fairly level. Trail follows a maintenance road winding past dry washes and towering cliffs to the head of present-day Snow Canyon. Tu ill Petrified Dunes 1.2 miles. Moderate. Some steep slopes, uneven surfaces. This route crosses massive Navajo sandstone outcrops and sand dunes frozen in time. Tortoise Walk 0.3 mile. Easy. This short stroll highlights the life history of desert tortoises and ends in a scenic seating area with a larger than life 4,200-pound granite tortoise sculpture. y Wash Half wa 6 miles. Difficult. Challenging Padre Canyon terrain including steep slopes; sections of deep sand; and boulder obstacles. Paradise Canyon Trails Toe 2.2 miles. Easy. Sandy connector trail from main canyon to Berm Trail featuring creosote bush habitat. ll Wa Lava Flow 2.5 miles. Moderate. Uneven surfaces. Hike through a jumbled lava field, the vivid remains of a long-ago volcanic eruption. 18 Ge c k o Johnson Canyon 2 miles. Closed annually from March 15 to September 14. Easy. Level with some rocky slopes and steps. Leads to a sheltered canyon of willow and cottonwood, winding through lava flows and red rock to an arch spanning 200 feet. Scout Cave 6 miles. Moderate. Trail traverses ancient lava field, sandy wash bottoms, and rocky cliff edges. Connector trail between the main canyon and Paradise Canyon. eR Jenny’s Canyon 0.5 mile. Easy. Level with few slopes and steps. This great children’s trail leads to a short, sculpted slot canyon. P a r k B o un d a r y S cout Ca v d is Para Hidden Pinyon 1.5 miles. Moderate. Rocky slopes and deep sand. Drop-offs. This self-guided nature trail highlights geological features and native plants of the park. Gil a ck H Be Gila 16.5 miles. Difficult. Diverse route featuring sandy stretches; uneven slickrock surfaces; and boulder strewn canyon bottoms. Requires route finding skills. Main Canyon Trails e Butterfly 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. e Sno Berm 2 miles. Easy. Level, compacted gravel trail across top of flood control structure. n iv 5 Distances are roundtrip. yo Main Canyon Trails Dr a ll a Chuckwalla Tailhead Know Before You Go Recreate on designated trails only. Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times. Scoop, bag, and bin all waste. Park in designated areas only. Some park areas are closed seasonally. Please obey all posted closures. Pack It In – Pack More Of It Out. All plants, wildlife, and natural features are protected; removal or alteration is prohibited. Drones by advanced permit only. Visit stateparks.utah.gov for more information. PROHIBITED: Skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters.