Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,400-acre Park History Planning Your Visit scenic park tucked amid lava flows and soaring sandstone cliffs in a strikingly colorful and Created in 1959, Snow Canyon has a long history Park facilities include picnic areas, modern fragile desert environment. Visitors marvel at of human use. Anasazi Indians inhabited the region restrooms, and a 33-unit campground with majestic views and the subtle interplay of light, from A.D. 200 to 1250, utilizing the canyon for water and electric hook ups, tent and group shadow, and color dancing across canyon walls. hunting and gathering. Paiute Indians used the campsites, showers, drinking water and canyon from A.D. 1200 to the mid-1800s. Mormon sewage disposal station. Located in the 62,000-acre Red Cliffs Desert pioneers discovered Snow Canyon in the 1850s Reserve, established to protect the federally- while searching for lost cattle. The canyon was the listed desert tortoise and its habitat, the park site of Hollywood films such as Butch Cassidy and offers opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts of the Sundance Kid, The Electric Horseman, and all ages. Activities include hiking, nature studies, Jeremiah Johnson. Originally called Dixie State Park, wildlife viewing, photography, camping, ranger it was later renamed for Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, talks and junior ranger programs. There are prominent pioneering Utah leaders. more than 38 miles of hiking trails, a three-mile Plants and Animals paved walking/biking trail, technical climbing Snow Canyon is home to a diversity of plant and and more than 15 miles of equestrian trails. 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 Geology include peregrine falcons, desert tortoises and gila monsters. Plant and wildlife checklists are available Transported by wind more than 183 million years at park headquarters for a nominal fee. Removal of ago, tiny grains of quartzite sand covered much of plants and wildlife is prohibited. For Your Safety what is now Utah. These sand dunes, up to 2,500 feet thick, eventually cemented into stone. Burnt ◆ Carry at least one liter of water per person. orange to creamy white in color, Navajo sandstone, ◆ Do not hike alone. Take a friend or family the predominant rock in the park, is what remains of member along or tell someone of your plans. the ancient desert sand sea. Over time, water cut and ◆ Avoid hiking when temperatures are extreme. shaped the sandstone to form canyons. Approximately Otherwise keep your hike short, wear a hat 1.4 million years ago, and as recently as 27,000 years and sunscreen, and bring water. ago, nearby cinder cones erupted causing lava to flow ◆ Scrambling and rock climbing are dangerous down these canyons, filling them with basalt. This and permitted in designated areas only. Each redirected ancient waterways, eventually carving new year inexperienced visitors are seriously canyons. Look up to see lava-capped ridges that were injured or killed while climbing on rocks.Only once canyon bottoms. attempt with proper equipment and training.

Your park fees provide for the care, protection and Park Guidelines enhancement of this park. Snow Canyon Please observe these park regulations to Park Location: Whoa! ensure everyone’s visit is pleasant: The park is located eight miles north of St. George on State State Park Route 18. Camping – Camp only in designated areas. Slow Down! Operating Hours: Each permit covers one vehicle and any The park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round. attached recreational equipment. There is an No holiday closures. extra fee for additional vehicles or camping equipment. Only one extra vehicle and up to Address Inquiries To: eight people are allowed in a campsite. Snow Canyon State Park 1002 Snow Canyon Dr. Hiking – Hiking and scrambling are permitted Ivins, UT 84738 Lots of people use Snow Canyon. Cool only on designated trails and slickrock. See a (435) 628–2255 park ranger for more information. [email protected] creatures also live here. However, every or year hundreds of animals are hit and Fires – Campfires may be built in designated Utah State Parks and Recreation killed on the park roadway—including areas. Gathering firewood or starter is P.O. Box 146001 threatened Mojave desert tortoises. prohibited. Seasonal fire bans are in effect Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6001 So relax, enjoy the drive, and keep June 1 through September 15. (801) 538-7220 your eyes on the road. Pets – Permitted only in campground, on West stateparks.utah.gov Canyon Road, Whiptail Trail and Paradise For Reservations Call: If you see a tortoise in the road: Canyon; must be leashed. For safety and (801) 322-3770 or toll-free (800) 322-3770 courtesy, please keep your pets under control. Utah State Parks Mission: • Stop your car in a safe place. Plants and Animals – All plants, animals, To enhance the quality of life by preserving and providing • Slowly approach the tortoise, minerals, and other natural features in state natural, cultural and recreational resources for the enjoyment, noting the direction of travel. parks are protected. It is unlawful to remove, education and inspiration of this and future generations. • Pick it up using both hands and alter, or destroy them. hold it in its normal walking position Wastewater – It is unlawful to dump or drain Scan the QR code belowgenerated with your at BeQRious.com mobile device to visit the (don’t tip it from side to side). park website, stateparks.utah.gov/parks/snow-canyon wastewater from campers or trailers onto the • Carefully carry it across the road ground. A sanitary disposal station is provided in the same direction, taking it for registered campers. no more than 100 feet from the Quiet Hours – 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. roadway. Accidents – Please report accidents or • Report your observations to park suspicious activities to a ranger. staff.

Permits – A Special Use Permit is required Information contained in this brochure was accurate at the time of printing. Policies, facilities, fees, hours and regulations, etc., change for all special events and commercial or as mandated. For updated information please contact the park. professional filming and photography.  Printed on recycled paper 2/18

Utah State Parks STATE PARK

flows andred rock to anarch spanning 200 feet. of willow andcottonwood, windingthrough lava rocky slopes andsteps. Leads to a sheltered canyon to September 14 –2miles.Easy. Level withsome Johnson Canyon –ClosedannuallyfromMarch 15 sculpted slot canyon.a short, slopes andsteps. This greatchildren’strailleadsto Jenny’s Canyon –One-halfmile.Easy. Level withfew of thepark. trail highlightsgeologicalfeatures andnative plants Thisself-guidednature and deepsand.Drop-offs. Hidden Pinyon –1.5 miles.Moderate. Rocky slopes volcano crater and panoramic scenery. the top of anextinct volcano where you canview a among “lava clinkers” asyou corkscrew 500feet to Snow Canyon Drive/State Route 18 junction. Hike loose unevenof Located one mile north surfaces. Cinder ConeTrail West Canyon Overlook andlava tubes. the west sideofPetrified Dunes,thistrailleads to slopes, steps anduneven Windingalong surfaces. Butterfly –2miles.Moderate.Trail Some stee areroundtrip. Distances HIKING Dunes, andWhiterocks Areas. Non-technical climbingpermitted atGaloot, Petrified SCRAMBLING map oftrails. Permitted in designated areas.Seearangerfor HORSEBACK RIDING in theSkytraverse. Online permitsrequired for Arch Canyon andIsland CANYONEERING available. More than170 routes designated sport are TECHNICAL CLIMBING Trail, and allParadise Canyon trails(see inset). Biking ispermitted on West Canyon Road, theWhiptail BIKING Activities SNOW CANYON – 1.5 miles. Difficult. Steep slopes,

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