An impressively colored and delicate desert environment surrounds Snow Canyon State Park, a 7,400-acre scenic park nestled among lava flows and soaring sandstone cliffs. It is the magnificent views and the subtle interplay of light, shadow, and color dancing across canyon walls that provoke strong emotions from visitors.
Located within the 62,000-acre Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, established in order to protect the federally endangered desert tortoise and its habitat, the park provides a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities to enthusiasts of all ages. The park has 15 miles of equestrian trails as well as over 38 miles of hiking trails.
Snow Canyon is home to a variety of plant and wildlife species that are not found anywhere else in the state. It is situated at the intersection of the Mojave Desert, Great Basin Desert, and Colorado Plateau. Each year, the park receives about 7.5 inches of rainfall. Among the vegetation are desert-adapted plants such as creosote bush, narrow-leaf yucca, sand sage, black brush, scrub oak, and desert willow. The park is ablaze with wildflowers during spring and fall when conditions are right. Wildlife watchers may see coyotes, kit foxes, quail, roadrunners, leopard lizards, snakes, and frogs in the canyon. There are 13 sensitive species within the park that are protected by state and federal law. These include peregrine falcons, desert tortoises, and gila monsters. Checklists of plants and wildlife are available at the park headquarters for a small fee. Taking plants and animals is prohibited.
There is NO equestrian camping at Snow Canyon State park at this time. This destination is a day use only facility for equestrians.
DIRECTIONS
From I-15 Northbound:
Take exit 6 (Bluff Street). Go north on Bluff Street to the intersection with Snow Canyon Parkway. Turn left onto Snow Canyon Parkway and proceed approximately 3.5 miles and turn right onto Snow Canyon Drive. Follow this road to the south entrance of the park.
From I-15 Southbound:
Take exit 10 (Washington). Turn right off the ramp then an immediate left at the light. Follow this road for approximately 5 miles to the intersection with Bluff Street/ SR-18. Proceed through the light and continue on Snow Canyon Parkway for approximately 3.5 miles and turn right onto Snow Canyon Drive. Follow this road to the south entrance of the park.
Address:
1002 N. Snow Canyon Rd
Ivins, UT 84738
Cost Details:
Day-use Fees: Utah Resident: $10 per vehicle (up to eight people); $5 per vehicle (up to eight people) Seniors 65 and older (with UT driver’s license); $5 pedestrian/cyclists (up to four people)
Non-resident: $15 per vehicle (up to eight people); $5 for pedestrians/cyclists (up to four people)
Commercial: $3 per person for commercial use or vehicles with nine or more people
If you want to discover and explore other locations and horse trails, here are some of them that you may visit:
SNOW CANYON STATE PARK - Butterfly, Lava Flow Overlook, West Canyon Road and Petrified Dunes Loo
RED MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS - Snow Canyon Overlook Trail