Snow Canyon

Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,400-acre scenic park tucked amid lava flows and soaring sandstone cliffs in a strikingly colorful and fragile desert environment. Visitors marvel at majestic views and the subtle interplay of light, shadow, and color dancing across canyon walls. Located in the 62,000-acre Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, established to protect the federallylisted desert tortoise and its habitat, the park offers opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Activities include hiking, nature studies, wildlife viewing, photography, camping, ranger talks and junior ranger programs. There are more than 38 miles of hiking trails, a three-mile paved walking/biking trail, technical climbing and more than 15 miles of equestrian trails. Park History Planning Your Visit Created in 1959, Snow Canyon has a long history of human use. Anasazi Indians inhabited the region from A.D. 200 to 1250, utilizing the canyon for hunting and gathering. Paiute Indians used the canyon from A.D. 1200 to the mid-1800s. Mormon pioneers discovered Snow Canyon in the 1850s while searching for lost cattle. The canyon was the site of Hollywood films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Electric Horseman, and Jeremiah Johnson. Originally called Dixie State Park, it was later renamed for Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, prominent pioneering Utah leaders. Park facilities include picnic areas, modern restrooms, and a 33-unit campground with water and electric hook ups, tent and group campsites, showers, drinking water and sewage disposal station. Geology Transported by wind more than 183 million years ago, tiny grains of quartzite sand covered much of what is now Utah. These sand dunes, up to 2,500 feet thick, eventually cemented into stone. Burnt orange to creamy white in color, Navajo sandstone, the predominant rock in the park, is what remains of the ancient desert sand sea. Over time, water cut and shaped the sandstone to form canyons. Approximately 1.4 million years ago, and as recently as 27,000 years ago, nearby cinder cones erupted causing lava to flow down these canyons, filling them with basalt. This redirected ancient waterways, eventually carving new canyons. Look up to see lava-capped ridges that were once canyon bottoms. Park Guidelines Please observe these park regulations to ensure everyone’s visit is pleasant: Camping – Camp only in designated areas. Each permit covers one vehicle and any attached recreational equipment. There is an extra fee for additional vehicles or camping equipment. Only one extra vehicle and up to eight people are allowed in a campsite. Hiking – Hiking and scrambling are permitted only on designated trails and slickrock. See a park ranger for more information. Fires – Campfires may be built in designated areas. Gathering firewood or starter is prohibited. Seasonal fire bans are in effect June 1 through September 15. Pets – Permitted only in campground, on West Canyon Road, Whiptail Trail and Paradise Canyon; must be leashed. For safety and courtesy, please keep your pets under control. Your park fees provide for the care, protection and enhancement of this park. Park Location: The park is located eight miles north of St. George on State Route 18. Operating Hours: Plants and Animals Snow Canyon is home to a diversity of plant and wildlife species not found elsewhere in the state. Located at the intersection of the Mojave Desert, Great Basin Desert and Colorado Plateau, the park averages 7.5 inches of rainfall each year. Vegetation includes desert adapted species such as creosote bush, narrow leaf yucca, sand sage, blackbrush, scrub oak and desert willow. If spring and fall conditions are right, wildflowers light up the park with a showy display of blooms. Wildlife watchers may see coyotes, kit foxes, quail, roadrunners, leopard lizards, gopher snakes and canyon tree frogs. Fourteen sensitive species protected by state and/or federal law are found within the park. They include peregrine falcons, desert tortoises and gila monsters. Plant and wildlife checklists are available at park headquarters for a nominal fee. Removal of plants and wildlife is prohibited. ◆ Carry at least one liter of water per person. ◆ Do not hike alone. Take a friend or family member along or tell someone of your plans. ◆ Avoid hiking when temperatures are extreme. Otherwise keep your hike short, wear a hat and sunscreen, and bring water. ◆ Scrambling and rock climbing are dangerous and permitted in designated areas only. Each year inexperienced visitors are seriously injured or killed while climbing on rocks.Only attempt with proper equipment and training. Whoa! Slow Down! Snow Canyon State Park 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 and Recreation P.O. Box 146001 Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6001 (801) 538-7220 stateparks.utah.gov Lots of people use Snow Canyon. Cool creatures also live here. However, 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. If you see a tortoise in the road: For Reservations Call: (801) 322-3770 or toll-free (800) 322-3770 • Stop your car in a safe place. Utah State Parks Mission: Plants and Animals – All plants, animals, minerals, and other natural features in state parks are protected. It is unlawful to remove, alter, or destroy them. 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. Wastewater – It is unlawful to dump or drain wastewater from campers or trailers onto the ground. A sanitary disposal station is provided for registered campers. Scan the QR code below with your mobile device to visit the generated at BeQRious.com park website, stateparks.utah.gov/parks/snow-canyon • Slowly approach the tortoise, noting the direction of travel. • Pick it up using both hands and hold it in its normal walking position (don’t tip it from side to side). Quiet Hours – 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. • Carefully carry it across the road in the same direction, taking it no more than 100 feet from the roadway. Accidents – Please report accidents or suspicious activities to a ranger. • Report your observations to park staff. Permits – A Special Use Permit is required for all special events and commercial or professional filming and photography. For Your Safety 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.  Printed on recycled paper 2/18 Utah State Parks C in d e r C o n e To Veyo S co u ave tC Whiterocks Amphitheater ( 8. 18 ) (2.78) Snow Canyon State Park Trail System G ila SR-18 Ru st yC l iff (3. 33 Restrooms (1.41 ) ill kH ec Picnic Areas Overlook Lava Tubes R West Canyon tle W Park Boundary low va F La Park Access Roads Unpaved Roads Bu tt oad Surface Roads R im erfly se ) 99 (0. all Para di ur Parking W hi t B T Visitor Center & Info ks oc r e ) To Johnson Canyon Park Entrance SR-18 s SNOW CANYON STATE PARK ) 23 ( 1. Trails Sa Dunes Red Butterfly d Lava Flow Lower Galoot Picnic 0. 86 ) a all Gila Upper Galoot Picnic P e trifie 38 ) s nd kw c ( Hidden Pinyon Jenny’s Canyon Hid Johnson Canyon de Padre Pi ny on n ash (0.7 0) yW H alfw a Paradise Canyon Trails Chu Ga p ( 0 . Cinder Cone n Canyo Padre Canyon Campground Picnic Petrified Dunes G ila N a m es Pioneer Names Red Sands Rusty Cliffs ne er Activities BIKING o Pi Biking is permitted on West Canyon Road, the Whiptail Trail, and all Paradise Canyon trails (see inset). Sand Dunes Picnic TECHNICAL CLIMBING Sand Dunes d San s e n Du Scout Cave Toe More than 170 designated sport routes are available. J e n ny’s Canyon West Canyon Rd CANYONEERING Whiptail Whiptail Online permits required for Arch Canyon and Island in the Sky traverse. Whiterocks Whiterocks Amph ny o n HORSEBACK RIDING e To Non-technical climbing permitted at Galoot, Petrified Dunes, and Whiterocks Areas. Toe 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. Jenny’s Canyon – One-half mile. Easy. Level with few slopes and steps. This great children’s trail leads to a short, sculpted slot canyon. Johnson Canyon – Closed annually from March 15 to September 14 – 2 miles. 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. To Paradise Canyon (see upper left map) To Ivins To St. George t Sco u Cinder Cone Trail – 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. 1:24,000 n To St. George HIKING Distances are roundtrip. 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. Jo h 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 Miles so SCRAMBLING 0 n Ca Permitted in designated areas. See a ranger for map of trails. C a ve NAD 1983 UTM Zone 12N Transverse Mercator Projection Lava Flow Trail – 2.5 miles. Moderate. Uneven surfaces. Hike through a jumbled lava field, the vivid remains of a long-ago volcanic eruption. Petrified Dunes – 1.2 miles. Moderate. Some steep slopes, uneven surfaces. This route crosses massive Navajo sandstone outcrops and sand dunes frozen in time. 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 1881. Sand Dunes – One-half 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. 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. 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. Whiptail Trail – 6 miles. Easy. Level with some 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. North Ru st y Cl iff s For information on additional trails leading into Paradise Canyon and other park areas, please see a park ranger. Know Before You Go w Hike on designated trails only. w Park in designated areas only. w Dogs permitted on West Canyon Road, Whiptail Trail, and all Paradise Canyon trails (see inset). Dogs must be leashed at all times. w Some park areas are closed seasonally. Please obey all posted closures. w Pack It In – Pack More Of It Out. w PROHIBITED: Skateboards, Rollerblades, Scooters, and Drones