Southern Utah area guide
Snow Canyon State Park: Plan Your Adventure
Red and white sandstone, black lava fields and lava tubes, about 35 minutes from our gate. Hike in the morning, splash in the afternoon, and make Jellystone Park™ Zion your base.
What Snow Canyon is
Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,400-acre canyon of red and white Navajo sandstone, ancient lava flows and soft red sand, about eight miles north of St. George on State Route 18. It sits at 3,100 to 4,100 feet, where the Colorado Plateau, the Mojave Desert and the Great Basin all meet, and it lies inside the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, set aside to protect the threatened desert tortoise. Hollywood noticed it decades ago: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and Jeremiah Johnson were both filmed here.
For families, it's one of the easiest big-scenery days in Southern Utah: short trails to a slot canyon and sand dunes, slickrock you're allowed to scramble on, lava tubes to explore with a flashlight, and a paved path for bikes and strollers along the canyon floor. This guide helps you pick the right trails for your group, time the heat, decide where to sleep, and build a half-day or weekend plan.
The landscape, in plain English
The striped cliffs and "petrified dunes" are ancient sand dunes turned to stone: you can see the wind's layers in the rock. Later, volcanoes north of the canyon, including the cinder cone you can climb, poured lava down the canyon, leaving black basalt fields and hollow lava tubes. Look for "Moqui marbles," small iron concretions, on the Petrified Dunes (and leave them where they are: everything in the park is protected).
Getting there
From our gate on Sand Hollow Road, head west on SR-9 to I-15, then take Red Hills Parkway and Snow Canyon Parkway toward Ivins. You have two ways in:
- South entrance (Ivins), via Snow Canyon Drive: about 22 miles, roughly 35–40 minutes. Best for Jenny's Canyon, Pioneer Names, the Petrified Dunes and the campground.
- North entrance, off SR-18: about 25 miles, similar time, using the faster highway. Best if you're starting at the Snow Canyon Scenic Overlook or the Cinder Cone.
- Make it a loop. Drive in one entrance and out the other on Snow Canyon Drive (25 mph, watch for tortoises), stopping at trailheads along the way.
- Pay once. Your day-use pass also covers the park's lots off SR-18: Cinder Cone, Whiterocks, Gila, the Scenic Overlook and Chuckwalla. A pass doesn't guarantee parking, and lots fill in spring, fall and on holidays.
Drive times are approximate (OpenStreetMap routing, no traffic). Cell coverage in the canyon is limited, so download the trail map before you leave.
Trail comparison
Round-trip distances and difficulty from the park's hiking page and its September 2026 trail brochure. The park publishes elevation gain only for Cinder Cone (about 500 feet). Where the two sources differ, both are shown.
| Trail | Round trip | Difficulty | Terrain | Know before you go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jenny's Canyon | 0.5 mi | Easy | Sandy trail and a dry-wash crossing; deep sand and uneven rock in places | Short sculpted slot canyon or an overlook. The brochure calls it a great children's trail. Birds may nest in the slot. |
| Pioneer Names | 0.5 mi | Easy | Fairly level with some steps; watch for falling rock | Names written in axle grease as far back as 1881, a small arch and moss walls. The most shade of any hike in the park. |
| Tortoise Walk | 0.3 mi | Easy | Wide, level, compacted crushed rock (ADA accessible) | From the Upper Galoot Picnic Area to a granite tortoise sculpture. Braille-ready and large-print guides are offered. |
| Sand Dunes | 0.5 mi | Easy | Deep, shifting red sand | Once on the dunes you can roam: a giant sandbox. Hot underfoot in summer. |
| Petrified Dunes | 1.2 mi | Moderate | Navajo sandstone slickrock, steep slopes, little shade | A designated scrambling area: explore the rock surface once you're on it. Iron domes mark the route. |
| Hidden Pinyon | 1.5 mi | Easy to moderate (hiking page) / moderate (brochure) | Ledges, uneven rock, deep sand, drop-offs | Self-guided nature trail with 19 numbered posts. |
| Butterfly | 2 mi | Moderate | Natural rock staircase, sandstone, basalt, dry creek bed | Passes the Butterfly rock and West Canyon Overlook, and ends at the Lava Flow trail. |
| Lava Flow (lava tubes) | 2.5–2.6 mi | Moderate | Uneven lava rock, a wash crossing, white sand | A 27,000-year-old lava flow with two lava tubes at the 3rd and 4th signs. Bring a flashlight; glow sticks are not allowed. |
| Johnson Canyon | 2 mi | Easy | Lava field, dry stream bed, rocky steps, drop-offs | Closed every year March 15–September 14 except on ranger-guided hikes. Leads toward Johnson's Arch. Hike only, no bikes. |
| Whiptail (paved) | 6 mi | Easy | Paved, mostly level with some slopes | Walking and biking path beside Snow Canyon Drive; the brochure lists it as accessible. No scooters or skateboards. |
| Cinder Cone | 1.5–2 mi | Difficult | Steep, loose lava clinkers, sharp rock, no shade | Climbs about 500 feet up an extinct volcano. Trailhead on Diamond Valley Dr., off SR-18 (day-use fee applies). |
| Red Sands (to Three Ponds) | 3.5 mi | Difficult | Deep sand and rocky slopes between 400-ft cliffs | Ends at the Three Ponds rain pools. Deep sand makes it much harder in heat. |
About the lava tubes
The Lava Flow trail passes two lava tubes that hikers can explore. The park's only instructions are to wear suitable footwear, bring flashlights, and leave glow sticks at home. The rock is uneven and sharp, so take it slow, keep kids close, and turn back if anyone isn't comfortable.
Trail etiquette that matters here
- Stay on mapped trails. Off-trail walking breaks the fragile living soil crust and can collapse tortoise burrows. Scrambling is allowed only on the Petrified Dunes, Galoot Hill and the Whiterocks area.
- Leave everything. Plants, rocks, marbles, artifacts and rock art are all protected, and stacking cairns is discouraged.
- Found a tortoise on the road? It's the one animal the park asks you to help: pick it up level with both hands, carry it at least 50 feet off the road in the direction it was heading, and tell park staff.
- Bikes belong on Snow Canyon Drive, the paved Whiptail trail, West Canyon Road and the Paradise Canyon trails; never on Johnson Canyon. The park doesn't rent bikes.
Family planning
Snow Canyon is great with kids if you match the trail to the group and respect the heat. Most trails have little or no shade, and summer ground temperatures can climb past 150°F when the air hits 100°F.
Good first picks
- Little ones: Jenny's Canyon (0.5 mi, slot canyon), Pioneer Names (0.5 mi, the most shade), the Tortoise Walk (0.3 mi, level) and the Sand Dunes (a giant sandbox; skip it at midday in summer).
- Strollers and bikes: the paved Whiptail trail and the crushed-rock Tortoise Walk. Most other trails have sand, steps or slickrock, so plan on carrying little ones.
- Adventurous kids: the Petrified Dunes for scrambling, Butterfly to the Lava Flow for the tubes.
Pack and plan
- About a liter of water per person per hour of hiking (the park's guidance)
- Closed-toe shoes with grip for slickrock and sharp lava
- A flashlight for each lava-tube explorer
- Sun hats, sunscreen and salty snacks
- A realistic plan: most families do one or two short trails, not five
Junior Ranger booklets and seasonal ranger programs are offered; ask at the visitor center. When the kids are done with sand and rock, the afternoon fix is a pool and a lazy river: see staying at Jellystone Park™ Zion.
Seasons & conditions
| Season | What to expect | Plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Wildflowers and active tortoises. One of the busiest times. | Arrive early for parking. Johnson Canyon closes March 15. |
| Summer | Highs often top 105°F; flash-flood season July–September. | Hike at dawn and avoid 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; check the flash flood outlook. |
| Fall | Comfortable hiking, tortoises out again, busy weekends. | Johnson Canyon's seasonal closure window ends September 14; confirm before you go. |
| Winter | Cool, quiet and open every day. | Layers for cold mornings; wait 24 hours after rain before climbing on sandstone. |
Events sometimes close Snow Canyon Drive and the Whiptail trail for a few hours (for example, the Snow Canyon Half Marathon and 10K on Saturday, November 14, 2026, 8 a.m. to noon). Check current conditions and the flash flood outlook the morning you go.
Scenic stops & photos
- Snow Canyon Scenic Overlook on SR-18, about a mile south of the north exit: the park calls it the best spot in the park for sunrise and sunset. It's also the only place recreational drones may fly, with an advance permit.
- Petrified Dunes after rain, when pools on the slickrock mirror the cliffs.
- West Canyon Overlook on the Butterfly trail, and the view from the Cinder Cone summit across Diamond Valley.
- Pioneer names and moss walls on the shady Pioneer Names trail.
- Night skies: the park is a designated Urban Night Sky Place.
Portrait, wedding and professional shoots need a permit from the park.
Camp in the park or stay nearby?
Sleeping in the canyon is special, and the park campground is open year-round. Staying nearby trades the canyon-floor campsite for more room, more amenities and an easier base for the rest of Southern Utah. Here's a factual side-by-side:
| Snow Canyon campground | Jellystone Park™ Zion | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Inside the canyon, beside the visitor center | Hurricane, about 35–40 minutes away |
| RV hookups | Partial hookups (water and 30-amp electric) on some sites; no sewer at the site; dump station on site | Full hookups (water, sewer, 30/50 amp) on RV sites up to 75 ft |
| Cabins | None | Five cabin and bunkhouse types sleeping 5 to 9 |
| Tents | Standard sites and hike-in tent pads (largest tent 9′ × 9′) | Designated sleeping-tent sites near comfort stations |
| Generators & quiet | Generators noon–4 p.m.; quiet hours 10 p.m.–7 a.m. | Park rules apply; see our park policies |
| Extras | Showers, dishwashing station, the canyon out your door | Yogi Bear™ Water Zone and floating obstacle course included in season; heated pool and hot tub the rest of the year |
| Booking | ReserveAmerica, four months to two days ahead; walk-up only inside 48 hours; 14-night max | Online through our booking page, or call the office |
Choose the park campground if waking up in the canyon is the trip. Choose a nearby base if you want a cabin, full hookups, a pool for the kids, or plans that also include Zion, Sand Hollow and Tuacahn. Details: Snow Canyon camping.
Your Southern Utah home base
Stay at Jellystone Park™ Zion
Hike the slickrock in the cool of the morning, then trade sand for slides, a lazy river and a campfire. From our park in Hurricane, Snow Canyon, Sand Hollow, Zion and Tuacahn are all an easy drive.
-
Glamping Cabins
- Sleep 5 to 9
- Decks & fire pits
- Linens in Yogi Bear™ cabins
Trade the sand in your boots for a real bed. Yogi Bear™ and Cindy Bear™ glamping cabins, plus the budget-friendly Ranger Smith™ Bunkhouse.
See glamping cabins › -
RV Sites
- Up to 75 ft
- Full hookups, 30/50 amp
- Pull-through & back-in
Full hookups with water, sewer and 30/50 amp power, a picnic table, grill and fire ring. Room for the big rig and the toys.
See rv sites › -
Tent Sites
- Designated tent sites
- Near restrooms & showers
- Water Zone included
A designated sleeping-tent site steps from hot showers, then the Water Zone after a dusty hike.
See tent sites ›
Why it works for a Snow Canyon trip
- The perfect afternoon after a desert morning. The Yogi Bear™ Water Zone and floating obstacle course are included for everyone on your reservation during the Water Zone season; the heated pool and hot tub are there the rest of the year.
- Real beds, real showers. Glamping cabins sleeping 5 to 9, with linens in the Yogi Bear™ cabins.
- Room for the rig. Full-hookup RV sites, pull-throughs up to 75 feet and back-ins up to 70.
- Pets welcome on RV sites, and leashed dogs can hike every Snow Canyon trail with you.
- One base, four big days. Sand Hollow State Park is about 4 minutes away and Tuacahn about 40, and you're about 35 minutes to Zion National Park's Kolob Canyons entrance and about 45 minutes to the South Entrance in Springdale.
Make Jellystone Park™ Zion your Snow Canyon base.
Snow Canyon day-use fees are paid to Utah State Parks and are not part of a Jellystone Park™ reservation.
Itineraries
The red-rock morning
- Early: Leave camp about 35–40 minutes before sunrise and start at the Snow Canyon Scenic Overlook on SR-18.
- Morning: Drive Snow Canyon Drive south. Scramble the Petrified Dunes, then walk Jenny's Canyon to the slot.
- Late morning: Shade break on the Pioneer Names trail, then out the south entrance.
- Afternoon: Back to Jellystone Park™ for lunch, the Water Zone (in season) and a nap.
Canyons, lava and a show
- Day 1: Morning on the Butterfly trail to the Lava Flow and its lava tubes (flashlights!). Afternoon pool time at camp, campfire at night.
- Day 2: Sunrise at the Scenic Overlook, an easy loop on the paved Whiptail by bike, then an evening show at Tuacahn next door. See our Tuacahn visitor guide.
- Day 3: Swap red rock for blue water at Sand Hollow State Park, about 4 minutes from our base, or head to Zion.
Questions
How far is Snow Canyon State Park from Jellystone Park™ Zion?
About 22 miles to the south entrance in Ivins and about 25 miles to the north entrance off SR-18, roughly 35 to 40 minutes either way via SR-9, I-15 and Snow Canyon Parkway (approximate, without traffic).
How much does it cost to get into Snow Canyon?
When we checked on October 22, 2026, the official fee page listed $20 per vehicle for non-residents and $15 for Utah residents (up to 8 people), with $3 per person on foot or bike. The same day pass covers the park's lots off SR-18. Fees can change, so confirm on the Utah State Parks fee page.
What is the easiest hike in Snow Canyon for kids?
Jenny's Canyon (0.5 mile, easy) leads to a short slot canyon, and the brochure calls it a great children's trail. Pioneer Names (0.5 mile, easy) has the most shade in the park, and the Tortoise Walk (0.3 mile) is level and ADA accessible.
Are dogs allowed on Snow Canyon trails?
Yes. The park says all trails are open to leashed dogs, on a 6-foot leash or shorter, and in the campground. Bag and bin all waste.
Can you go inside the Snow Canyon lava tubes?
The Lava Flow trail passes two lava tubes that hikers can explore. The park's guidance is to wear suitable footwear and bring flashlights; glow sticks are not permitted. Use your own judgment and stay safe on the uneven rock.
Is Johnson Canyon open?
Johnson Canyon closes every year from March 15 to September 14, except on ranger-guided hikes, to protect wildlife. Check the park's current conditions page before you go.
Can I climb on the rocks at Snow Canyon?
Scrambling is allowed in designated areas: the Petrified Dunes, Galoot Hill and the Whiterocks area. Elsewhere, stay on mapped trails to protect fragile soil and tortoise burrows.
When is the best time to visit Snow Canyon?
Spring and fall are the most comfortable and the best for spotting desert tortoises, and also the busiest, with limited parking. In summer, highs often top 105°F; the park advises avoiding activity from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Can you camp at Snow Canyon State Park?
Yes. The park campground has standard sites, partial-hookup sites with water and 30-amp power, hike-in tent sites and two group sites, booked through ReserveAmerica from four months to two days ahead. Backcountry camping is not allowed.
Where should I stay for a Snow Canyon trip with kids?
If you want desert camping right in the park, book the state park campground. If you want cabins with real beds, full-hookup RV sites up to 75 feet, and a Water Zone for the afternoon, Jellystone Park™ Zion in Hurricane is about 35–40 minutes away and puts Zion, Sand Hollow and Tuacahn within an easy drive too.
Can I fly a drone in Snow Canyon?
Only at the Snow Canyon Scenic Overlook, and only with an advance permit from the park.
Official resources
- Snow Canyon State Park (Utah State Parks)
- Current conditions & alerts · Know before you go
- Park fees · Buy a day pass online
- Hiking trails · Trail guide & map (Sept 2026, PDF)
- Camping · Campground reservations
- Permits (canyoneering, drones, photography) · Red Cliffs Desert Reserve
Last reviewed October 22, 2026. Drive times are approximate and assume no traffic. This guide is published by Jellystone Park™ Zion and is not affiliated with Utah State Parks or the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. More area guides: Tuacahn, Sand Hollow State Park, Zion National Park.