Snow Canyon State Park

Snow Canyon FAQ’s

Are the park and campground open year-round?

  • Yes!

What are park hours?

  • 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (mountain time zone)

Why can’t I be in the park after 10:00p.m.?

  • Day-use at all Utah State Parks ends at 10:00p.m.

Is the day-use pass good for any other state park?

  • NO.  Day-use passes are only good at the park they are purchased for.

Can you exit or enter at both ends of the park?

  • Yes! Snow Canyon Drive is a through road. Entrance fees apply even if you are just driving through.

When is the park’s peak season?

  • SPRING (February through May) and FALL (September through November)

Is there camping at Snow Canyon and should I make a reservation?

  • YES.  Camping is available year-round at the 38-unit campground; reservations are recommended during peak seasons and can be made by phoning 1-800-322-3770 or online at www.stateparks.utah.gov. Reservations can be made 48 hours to 4 months in advance online; Camping within 48 hours is walk up only. 

Can I camp somewhere else in the park other than the campground?

  • NO. Backcountry camping is not permitted in Snow Canyon.

What animals can I see and where and when can they be seen?

  • Spring and fall are the best seasons for viewing wildlife.  Wildlife most commonly seen throughout the park are rock squirrels, antelope ground squirrels, desert cottontails, ravens, scrub jays, turkey vultures, whiptail lizards, and side-blotched lizards.  Less frequently seen wildlife residents are desert tortoises, Gila monsters, snakes, falcons, and owls.

Where can I see a desert tortoise?

  • Tortoises are occasionally encountered throughout the park.  Spring and fall are the best seasons for encounters since tortoises are in underground burrows during summer and winter. Keep an eye on the roadway and follow the posted speed limit signs; Baby tortoises are small and can look like rocks!

Are there rattlesnakes in the park?

  • There are 11 species of snakes in the park.  Only two are venomous species:  The Great Basin rattlesnake and Mojave sidewinder.  Snake encounters in the canyon are rare.  Snakes are typically just as afraid of people as most people are of them and will attempt to flee unless they feel threatened.

Where can I see petroglyphs?

  • There are several sites located off of the Gila Trail, however, it is an 8-mile roundtrip hike.  The best places to see them are on Federal BLM lands.  The Interagency Office at 345 East Riverside Dr. (St. George) has maps.  Phone 688-3200 for more information. 

Are dogs allowed in the park?

  • YES.  Dogs are permitted on all park trails and in the campground.  They must be leashed at all times (6ft max) and owners are required to stay in control and pick up appropriately after them. 

Can I rent bicycles in the park?

  • NO, but there are multiple bike rental companies throughout St. George and Ivins. 

Are e-bikes allowed?

Where can I ride my bike?

  • In the main canyon:  Snow Canyon Drive; the paved Whiptail trail; and West Canyon. 
  • In Paradise Canyon:  All trails except for the interior portion of the Gila trail which is impassable to bikes.   
  • Note:   Bikes are not allowed on the Johnson Canyon trail.

Where is the best spot for photographing sunrises and sunsets?

  • The best place in the park is at the Snow Canyon Scenic Overlook off of SR-18. The overlook is located one mile south of the north exit of the park on the west side of SR-18.

Why can’t I hike off-trail?

  • Staying on the trail protects the park’s natural resources.  Off-trail hiking damages fragile desert plants, disrupts cryptobiotic crust that holds the sandy soils in place, and can collapse burrows wildlife depend on for shelter from the hot desert sun.  Additionally, footprints remain for a long time and encourage other visitors to hike off trail – this eventually leads to a network of illegal trails that damages resources and detracts from the beauty of the park.  Staying on designated trails is also safer for visitors.

Why is Johnson Canyon closed seasonally?

  • The closure protects sensitive wildlife and the habitat critical to the area.  The closures occur during active feeding and breeding seasons.  Johnson Canyon is closed March 15th through September 14th except by ranger-guided hikes.