USA Snow Canyon

The rugged landscape of twisted red, white, yellow, chocolate brown and orange sandstone and volcanic rock scattered everywhere. The canyon has been the site of Hollywood films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Electric Horseman, and Jeremiah Johnson. It gets its name not from wintry conditions but for Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, prominent pioneering Utah leaders. Numerous hiking trails are particularly brilliant after heavy rain when the rock is saturated and thousands of water pockets are full.

Due to the park’s proximity to St. George, it can get very busy. Try to go mid-week or very early or late in the afternoon. Avoid mid-day in the summer when temperatures frequently exceed 110° F (43 C). After heavy rain or during spring snow melt, the area is filled with water pockets.

Park at the Petrified Sand Dunes parking area and work your way west about 100 yards. There are restrooms scattered around the park. There’s a $10 US day-use fee per vehicle ($15 for non-residents). Due to more moderate temperatures, fall and winter are excellent times to visit.