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Snow Canyon State Park close to St. George, Utah is a gem stuffed with hovering multi-coloured sandstone cliffs, lava flows, and canyons together with a various array of vegetation and animals together with 14 delicate species. Snow Canyon shouldn’t be practically as common as well-known Zion Nationwide Park – the place everybody seemingly heads for, however a number of of the hikes listed here are mind-blowing. Described are a number of the perfect hikes in Snow Canyon – a few of which you’ll knock off in half-hour to an hour. Hike no less than a few them when you’re anyplace close to the realm.
There are a complete of 19 climbing trails within the park overlaying 38 miles. Though many are brief and family-friendly, they nonetheless have broad enchantment. Among the finest hikes in Snow Canyon we did was the Petrified Dunes path. In case you solely do one hike, make it this one!
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Finest hikes in Snow Canyon State Park abstract
- Utah residents pay $10 per automobile with as much as 8 individuals to go to the park. In case you’re a senior (65+) it’s $5 per automobile. A bunch of as much as 4 pedestrians or cyclists pay $5.
- In case you’re a non-resident it’s $15 per automobile with as much as eight individuals to enter and $5 for as much as 4 cyclists or pedestrians.
- Canine are solely permitted on leash on West Canyon Highway, Whiptail Path, and on all of the Paradise Canyon trails. Don’t deliver them on sizzling days!
- Watch out for seasonal closures – cue the Johnson Canyon path.
- Carry a minimal of 1 litre of water per particular person, double that when you’re planning to be out all day.
- Inform somebody the place you’re going.
- The very best hikes in Snow Canyon embody the Petrified Dunes Path, Butterfly Path, Jenny’s Canyon Path, Whiterocks Amphitheater Path, Johnson Canyon Path, and the Lava Circulation Path.
- Permit a minimal of a day and ideally two days so you possibly can expertise the complete great thing about Snow Canyon State Park.
The place is Snow Canyon State Park?
Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,400 acre park tucked into the 62,000-acre Purple Cliffs Desert Reserve. It’s a few 15-minute drive north of St. George in southwest Utah. This great thing about a park, stuffed with pink and white sandstone cliffs, volcanic cinder cones, burnt orange to creamy white petrified sand dunes, and lava capped ridges will enchantment to youngsters and adults of all ages together with cyclists, hikers, nature lovers, horseback riders, and photographers.
Hollywood additionally loves the park. Bear in mind Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Child? A few of it was filmed right here together with The Electrical Horseman and Jeremiah Johnson.
Enjoyable reality: The park got here into existence in 1959 as Dixie State Park however was later renamed Snow Canyon State Park. The names don’t check with the fluffy white stuff which the park doesn’t see fairly often, however to distinguished Utah political and spiritual leaders, Lorenzo Snow and Erastus Snow.
Location map of the perfect hikes in Snow Canyon
Finest hikes in Snow Canyon – Whiterocks Amphitheater hike
Distance: Both 2 miles return with an elevation acquire of 125 toes or about 5.5 miles return with 500 toes of elevation acquire when you take off from the Lava Circulation path
Stage of problem: Simple from the parking zone; average when you’re doing an out and again from Lava Circulation path
Time wanted: About an hour when you hike in from the parking zone described beneath or 3 – 4 hours to do an out and again from the Lava Circulation path
Trailhead: One half mile north of the Snow Canyon Drive/State Route 18 Junction or on the signed intersection on the Lava Circulation Path
Hike description:
The Whiterocks Amphitheater hike is a wonderful alternative, regardless of the way you hike it. It’s brief, candy, and family-friendly (however not stroller-friendly) when you hike in from the parking zone beside the freeway.
The path results in a stunning, very white, sandstone amphitheater surrounded by hovering sandstone peaks. And that’s the reason it’s probably the greatest hikes in Snow Canyon. There’s plenty of enjoyable strolling on the rocks available, particularly because the sandstone provides plenty of traction so you possibly can deal with steeper sections of this space safely (although you need to at all times use widespread sense.) There’s additionally quite a lot of white sand that children would possibly wish to play in on the base of the amphitheater.
You too can attain the Whiterocks Amphitheater through the Lava Circulation Path. We have been very tempted to do the out and again hike however with solely a day within the park we opted for the shorter model. Search for a path intersection simply previous the lava tubes. It heads off north after which northeast. Finally you’ll must switchback up a steep slope between a few sandstone outcroppings. You meet up with the path coming from the parking zone and proceed west on an unmarked however apparent path to the amphitheater.
Lava Circulation hike
Distance: 2.5 miles round-trip
Stage of problem: Simple to average relying on how typically you hike; plenty of uneven surfaces
Time wanted: 1 – 2 hours relying on when you discover the lava tubes and whether or not you climb as much as the lookout
Trailhead location: The trailhead is the primary one you come to as you drive south from the park entrance off State Freeway 18.
Hike description:
The Lava Circulation path isn’t as dramatic as among the different finest hikes in Snow Canyon, but it surely makes up for it by offering some distinctive experiences together with a go to into the center of a lava tube. Take a look at my Instagram reel displaying what it’s wish to hike down into the lava tube.
The hike begins with an excellent view into the center of the park. From there the path winds by way of a lava discipline rife with sharp rocks and continues previous three lava tubes – one in every of which is extra cave like which you can enter at your personal threat. Alongside the best way there are a number of interpretive panels that designate concerning the formation of the lava tubes.
Do you know that about 27,000 years in the past lava erupted from a close-by however now extinct volcano? A lava tube shaped when the floor of the flowing lava cooled and hardened to a strong crust, however beneath it, the molten lava continued to circulate. Because it was on a slope, the lava finally drained out fully leaving the lava tubes you see right now. Among the lava tubes are fully collapsed however you possibly can enter the one proven in my reel.
In case you enterprise into the lava tube, take a flashlight and assuming you’re entering into for a fast look, go away your backpack on the floor because it will get cramped moving into the tube. In case you’ve bought good garments on that tear simply, you would possibly need to give it a go. I went down into the lava tube cave only a brief distance – and wasn’t excited about crawling into smaller areas. I wouldn’t suggest this for teenagers.
In case you proceed on the Lava Circulation path, you’ll go the intersection to the Whiterocks Amphitheatre after which the Butterfly Path. There may be an overlook when you preserve going that’s definitely worth the climb.
Petrified Dunes Path
Distance: 1.2 miles spherical journey
Stage of problem: Simple
Time wanted: As much as an hour as this can be a enjoyable space to discover
Trailhead location: Both entry it from the Butterfly Path or through brief stroll from the parking zone
Hike description:
The Petrified Dunes path is thoughts blowing. It’s the primary hike in my books – of all the perfect hikes in Snow Canyon. From the parking zone or the Butterfly Path, hike a sandy path that results in unbelievable rolling mounds of petrified Navajo sandstone. Among the dunes right here, shaped greater than 183 million years in the past, are 2,500 toes thick! For the following 30 – 60 minutes, discover the sandstone formations and climb to the highest of one in every of them for very good views into the center of Snow Canyon State Park. Views are breathtaking.
This path is one that’s made for exploring. Once you’re completed, both retrace your steps to the parking zone or head down as we did to the West Canyon Highway and again to the Lava Circulation path. In case you can, time your go to for sundown. What a spot to sit down again and watch the solar set over the multi-coloured canyons.
Butterfly Path
Distance: 2 miles round-trip
Stage of problem: Simple
Time wanted: 45 minutes to an hour
Trailhead location: Park on the similar parking zone used for the Petrified Dunes path or choose up the Butterfly Path from the Lava Circulation Path
Hike description:
I believe most guests to the park contemplate the Butterfly Path solely as a connector path, but it surely’s a stand-alone magnificence and probably the greatest hikes in Snow Canyon for my part. We got here on the path from the Lava Circulation path – and had it to ourselves. As we hiked alongside the size of an enormous, petrified dune, John and I couldn’t assist however marvel in any respect the sand layers frozen in time. On the finish of the path near the intersection with the Petrified Dunes path, we climbed one other dune for a incredible view again to the Lava Circulation path and past. It was the kind of climbing that makes you grin from ear to ear.
Johnson Canyon hike, Snow Canyon State Park
Distance: 2 miles return
Stage of problem: Simple
Time wanted: One hour or much less
Trailhead location: The trailhead is a brief distance earlier than the southern park entrance on the principle highway by way of Snow Canyon State Park.
Necessary: The canyon is closed yearly from March 15 – September 14 to protect endangered habitat.
Hike description: The Johnson Canyon is one other winner of a hike for the entire household. Head throughout the road from the parking space to start out the hike. From the path you’ll look down at remnants of a lava circulate and a dry stream mattress. Proceed strolling because it takes you left and into the canyon. Notice the spring barely flowing right down to the appropriate.
One of many highlights is the pink sandstone arch spanning 200 toes. It took a number of tries earlier than my husband noticed it, because it blends so properly into the panorama. Proceed to the top of the canyon the place there are some lovely large timber. With all of the shade, it’s the proper place to cease, sit, and admire the hovering canyon partitions. After a break or a picnic retrace your steps.
Jenny’s Canyon hike
Distance: 0.5 miles round-trip
Stage of problem: Simple and family-friendly however not stroller-friendly
Time wanted: half-hour
Hike description: Among the finest hikes in Snow Canyon is the family-friendly hike up and into Jenny’s Canyon – a brief however sculpted slot canyon. There’s an choice to do a fast add-on to an overlook the place you possibly can view the Snow Canyon Sand Dunes.
The path follows an apparent path by way of a dry wash. Proceed left round a rock that appears like a head with a giant eye and into the canyon. Stroll to the top of the slot canyon, wanting as much as marvel on the top of the canyon partitions.
Extra issues to do in Snow Canyon State Park if in case you have time
Once you drive by way of Snow Canyon State Park, you’ll doubtless see quite a lot of mountain bikers. We have been handed by a number of as we hiked West Canyon Highway, however they’re additionally allowed on the Paradise Canyon Trails, and the Whiptail Path. You may simply hire mountain bikes and ebikes when you’re visiting from out of city.
There are over 170 designated sport climbing routes in Snow Canyon State Park. Have the appropriate gear and know-how earlier than you go mountaineering.
There may be horseback using within the state park too. A ranger can provide you a map displaying all the paths. Among the trails take you to attractive overlooks into the canyon the place you’ll be mesmerized by the distinction of black lava flows and pink and white Navajo sandstone.
The place to remain close to Snow Canyon State Park
We stayed on the Inn on the Cliff in St. George. It’s solely a 20-minute drive away from the park. Each John and I beloved the place with the views out over town from our bed room – and the new tub. Breakfast comes with the room too. On hotter days you’d be capable of sit outdoors and revel in it in your balcony.
There may be additionally the choice to camp on a year-round foundation in Snow Canyon State Park. There are 32 campsites, some with hook-ups and water. Costs begin at $40 per evening. Make a reservation on-line by way of the Utah State Parks hyperlink.
You too can take a look at the Free Campsites web site for concepts on the place to remain.
Last ideas
Snow Canyon State Park must be on the radar of anybody visiting southern Utah. It surpassed all expectations. Thanks to Go to Utah for internet hosting me, however belief me, these opinions are mine alone. I’m an enormous fan of the hikes I described, and I can say that John and I have been in our component and so joyful to be right here!
Additional studying on issues to do in Utah
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