St. George, Utah

Snow Canyon State Park is about 10 minutes north of St. George, Utah on SR-18. This canyon is a gem in the beautiful red desert of Southwestern Utah that showcases Red Navajo sandstone, black lava rocks, and sand dunes. It attracts people each year who want to hike, bike, camp, watch wildlife, and explore in this picturesque canyon.

An extensive trail system runs throughout the park, and it allows park visitors to visit the many sites within the park. These trails vary in length and difficulty; therefore, hikers of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy exploring this area. Several of the trails are paved, and many cover prime mountain biking terrain - including slick rock. One of the many park trails is the Johnson Arch Trail which leads to Johnson Arch. Johnson Arch was named after Maude Johnson - an early Mormon pioneer in the area. Like other arches, it was predominately created by the erosive power of wind, and this is evidence of the forces of nature that created this beautiful canyon. The trail that travels the main road from SR-18 to Ivins connects with the trails systems in Ivins and St. George. People also enjoy rock climbing and horseback riding in Snow Canyon.



Snow Canyon State Park is home to numerous species of wildlife. One of the most prominent species is the Desert Tortoise, which is protected. The park is part of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve which is a designated area meant to protect the tortoise as well as other endangered species like the Gila Monster and Western Whiptail Lizard. People are encouraged to leave these animals alone or carefully remove them from roads or trails when they impede traffic.

One of the most dramatic ways to see Snow Canyon State Park is to visit the overlooks along SR-18. This end of park is a great vantage point since it offers a panoramic view down the canyon. In fact, the Ledges Golf Courses uses the canyon as a backdrop to provide golfers with a great golf game.

Snow Canyon State Park is near many area attractions like the Tuacahn Amphitheater and sport facilities like The Canyons softball complex. Thus, a visit to the park can easily fit into an already established itinerary or can serve as an activity to build a day of fun.

There are 33 camp sites in the park - including 17 RV sites. The camping fee is $14 a day without hook-ups and $17 a day with hook-ups. The day use fee is $5. Park amenities include: flush toilets, vault toilets, showers, pavilions, picnic areas, and drinking water. For more information contact Snow Canyon State Park staff at (435)628-2255.