Snow Canyon State Park

Educators

Requests for the Fall Semester will open August 15th, 2026!

Are you interested in bringing an educational group to the park? You’re in the right place!

A Park Naturalist is available year-round to assist in planning your visit. Our goal is to provide real-world learning experiences that build scientific literacy and inspire appreciation for public lands through guided hikes and interactive activities.

We offer several types of visits. Some are free for qualifying educational groups, while others require a fee. Educational visits are free of charge if these visits are:

  • Affiliated with an educational institution (K–12 school, homeschool co-op, college course, educational club)
  • Actively engaged in on-site learning during their visit
  • Clearly educational in purpose with learning objectives

Examples:

  • A homeschool group studying desert habitats
  • A university geology class
  • A middle school science club

Please read the following information carefully, as we have recently updated our webpage!




Visitation Policy

1) All groups are required to schedule their visit, regardless of the nature of the visit and whether or not the services of the Naturalist(s) will be utilized. Unscheduled groups arriving without a reservation may be turned away or charged the $4 per person commercial group rate.

2) All reservations must be scheduled a minimum of two weeks in advance. Visits occurring from April through May, or October through November should be scheduled at least one month in advance. 

3) Preferred visitation dates are not guaranteed. Please be prepared to provide three preferred dates when requesting a visit. Visits occurring from April through May, or October through November fill up quickly.

4) There is very little to no natural shade, and no indoor educational facilities in the park. Your group will be outside in the elements for the entirety of your visit. Temperatures can rise quickly between 11am and 5pm, and can reach triple digits from May until September. Please take the season and weather into consideration when planning your visit. 

5) Parking is limited in the canyon; particularly during busy spring and fall seasons or holidays. Your waiver does not guarantee access; parking; or special privileges in the canyon.




Types of Visits for Educators in Snow Canyon State Park

Please click the Header for detailed descriptions and how to request a visit for naturalist-led and self-led trip options.

Naturalist-led Options

School Field Trip

Naturalist guided, large group field trips for county, charter, and private schools. This includes an outdoor seated lesson based on Utah SEEd Standards, hike, and lunch free time (optional, lunch not provided).

  • Cost: Free
  • Group Size: Up to 70 students
  • Availability: Tuesday – Thursday, Sept 1 – May 15 
  • Duration: 2 hours

Guided Small Group Visit

This type of visit is intended for smaller educational groups like homeschools, colleges and universities, school clubs, and other related groups who are wanting to visit the park to learn with a naturalist. These visits are customizable and can include a lecture, hike, or both! 

  • Cost: Free
  • Group Size: 10-30 students
  • Availability: Wednesday – Friday, September through May 
  • Duration: 2 hours

Self-led Options

Self-Guided Educational Visit

Groups wanting to visit and learn about the park without a naturalist. Must schedule the visit and provide a qualifying lesson plan.

  • Cost: Free with qualifying lesson plan
  • Group Size: Up to 50 people total
  • Availability: 7 days a week, year-round

Recreational Visit For Educational Groups

Educational groups wanting a non-educational visit to the park. Reduced fee waiver available for scheduled groups.

  • Cost: $2 per person with fee reduction waiver
  • Group Size: Up to 100 people total
  • Availability: 7 days a week, year-round

If you have questions about which type of field trip would be best for your group, please email the Park Naturalist at crwinchester@utah.gov. 


Educator FAQ’s

Is this an indoor or outdoor field trip?

There is NO indoor venue or covered pavilion in Snow Canyon. You and your students will be out in the elements for the entirety of the trip. When booking, please take the season and average weather into consideration. For guided visits, inclement weather protocols are provided by the naturalist(s). 

Can students that need ADA accommodations participate in field trips?

Yes! Educational visits in Snow Canyon are for everybody! For guided visits, the naturalist(s) will do their best to provide accommodations. There is a section in the request form to let the naturalist(s) know of any accommodations. This can include physical (wheelchairs, crutches, low vision/blind, hard of hearing/deaf, etc.) or cognitive (personal aids, IEPs, etc.) accommodations. 

Many educators will book field trips for their entire grade. Please talk with the other teachers involved about any accommodations students may need. You can also email crwinchester@utah.gov with further questions. 

Where can we park a bus or two?

Bus/oversized vehicle parking is available at the following parking lots: Johnson Canyon/Scout Cave, Sand Dunes Picnic, Upper Galoot Picnic, Gila, Snow Canyon Scenic Overlook, and Chuckwalla. Buses are welcome to drop participants off at desired trailheads, park at a lot listed above, and pick up the participants after the hike. 

What happens if we are late for our field trip with a naturalist?

Please arrive on time to get the most from your visit. Please consider traffic, parking, loading, and unloading time to book an appropriate arrival time. If your group arrives late, the experience may be impacted.

  • 15 minutes late, the group will have a shortened lunch. 
  • 30 minutes late, the naturalist(s) will do a shortened program or hike, and the group will have a shortened lunch. 
  • More than 30 minutes late, the naturalist(s) will have a short talk and coordinate staggered hiking groups, and the group will have a shortened lunch. 

Can anyone book an Educational Visit?

No. Educational visits are reserved for educational groups engaging in structured learning during their visit. Your visit must have a clear educational purpose. You may be asked to submit a lesson plan or describe how the visit supports your curriculum.

Visits for recreation or general social purposes do not qualify as educational field trips and do not qualify for free park entry. If you are associated with an educational group wanting to recreate with that group in the park, please see Recreational Visits above.

Do you offer tours for non-educational groups?

Yes! We offer paid private Naturalist guided tours for families, organizations, and general-interest groups not affiliated with a school or educational program, tailored to your requests. Please inquire by emailing the Park Naturalist at crwinchester@utah.gov.




Additional Resources for Educators 

Not able to make it to the park? We have online resources available for educators to use in their classroom. Check them out on our Learn tab! More classroom specific material is coming soon.