Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon Drive starts near Ivins and weaves along the park’s high canyon walls, petrified dunes, and black basalt beds for seven miles. Cyclists claim their fame on the same asphalt that hosts the  annual IRONMAN 70.3 triathlon. Drivers cruise along the route and relish the visual contrast of red-rock and white-rock canyons against Greater Zion’s bright blue sky.

Hiking is the prime activity in the canyon. Gorgeous red and white sandstone streaks and black lava flows spilling along the canyon floor create a perfect playground for exploring the park’s 18 hiking trails, many of which are interconnected. Along with slot canyons to enter and lava tubes to explore, the sweeping vistas and overlooks might have you grabbing for your camera. 

Hike to a pair of shallow sandstone caves that are 40 or 50 feet deep. Scout Cave Trail is an easy hike for the family — kids love seeing the inside of a huge red cave. Alternatively, the more adventurous hikers connect to Scout Cave Trail trail from the Chuckwalla trailhead for a steeper, longer hike.

Jenny’s Canyon Trail is a short, easily accessible family-friendly connector trail to a slot canyon. The slot canyon walls contain small arches and miniature pockets. On sunny days, the slot canyon provides a shady reprieve for hot hikers. This short 0.4-mile moderately trafficked out-and-back trail takes around 15 minutes to complete. 

One of the park’s most popular hiking trails leads to multiple lava tubes. The Lava Flow Trail is an easy 2.5-mile round-trip route through black lava flows, past lava tubes, and to an overlook with beautiful views of the whole area. Find the largest lava tube before the trail drops into the valley to join the West Canyon Road. This tube cuts over a hundred feet into the hillside, containing a large inner cathedral room within. To travel more than 50 feet into this tube, bring a powerful light and watch your step as the rocks are loose and sharp.

The Petrified Dunes Trail is a half-mile trail rising more than 300 feet above the surrounding canyon floor leading to the Petrified Dunes, a once-flowing sand mountain turned into rolling mounds of petrified Navajo Sandstone. This family-friendly hike offers plentiful views and photography opportunities. 

The Cinder Cone Trail is a short and spicy climb to the top of one of Greater Zion’s dormant volcanoes. The Pioneer Names Trail is a short family-friendly trail to an overhang with several pioneer names painted on the rock with axle grease from the late 1800s and early 1900s. There are many more trails throughout the park. The Snow Canyon State Park website offers more downloaded trail guides, current conditions, and the most up-to-date information regarding closures, fees and reservations.

A night or two under the stars is the perfect escape from a fast-paced lifestyle. Snow Canyon State Park is the ideal place to find those stars and quiet nights. The campsites will have you feeling like you’re camping in the Flintstones’ backyard with views of a cinder cone towering above and petroglyphs etched into rocks. You can book one of the 32 campsites.

Snow Canyon State Park features mostly sport or traditional climbing with plenty of multi-pitch routes, some up to five pitches. There are easy 5.7s to challenging 5.12bs, but most routes sit in the 5.10 and 5.11 range. For a full list, visit mountainproject.com.Canyoneering combines hiking with rappelling, allowing exploration into slot canyons and down-climbing through the canyon. It’s a unique outdoor adventure that doesn’t exist in most places, but Greater Zion has many options. Snow Canyon has two canyoneering routes and both require an access permit. If you want to explore Island in the Sky or Arch Canyon, secure a permit through the state park’s website or contact a guide company to take you.

In addition to cycling Snow Canyon Drive, Snow Canyon hosts two other bike-friendly trails. Whiptail Trail is an out-and-back, paved path running from the south entrance and through about two-thirds of the canyon. Delightful for bikers of all experience levels, but there’s always the option to turn around before the last quarter mile’s steep climb.

West Canyon Road is a dirt and gravel path. Beefier tires than those of a road bike are needed, but you don’t need a high-end mountain bike to enjoy this trail. The road runs four miles up the canyon and takes the west fork at the canyon’s end to lead you past the Whiterocks Amphitheater at the northern end. This path traverses parts of the park that no other trail will show or lead to. Access the West Canyon Road at Sand Dunes picnic and parking area for an eight-mile round-trip excursion.

There are several trails open to horseback riding in Snow Canyon: Beck Hill Trail, Chuckwalla Trail, Gila Trail, Lava Flow (only between West Canyon Road & turn-off to White Rocks Trail), Rusty Cliffs, Scout Cave Trail, Red Sands (from West Canyon Road Trail to the west), Toe Trail, West Canyon Road, and the “equestrian trail” (starting at Johnson’s Canyon lot and running parallel to Whiptail until the dunes’ parking lot, from here the trail parallels West Canyon Road). If you don’t have horses, book a guided horseback experience offered by a local outfitter.

Day and annual passes to Utah State Parks are available at the gates of most parks. Day-use passes for Snow Canyon State Park are available online and can be purchased before you arrive, but are only valid for the day of purchase. Purchase does not guarantee entry if the park is temporarily closed due to capacity, special events, or other reasons.

Spring and fall see average high temperatures between 80° and 73°, respectively, creating a sweet spot for active adventures at Snow Canyon. Summer gets warm with very little shade available, but getting out early in the day is ideal. Winter packs mild temps and all activities remain available. Despite its name, the park rarely sees snow.  (The park is named after Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, Utah pioneers, not the white precipitation.)