Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ground; you can pick up a brochure at the park office/entrance station. The walk
is fairly easy, but allow at least an hour. Keep an eye out for Mormon tea, cliffrose,
prickly pear cactus, and banana yucca.
The easy 2-mile round-trip
JohnsonCanyonTrail,
open in winter only, begins
just south of the campground, passes by the popular rock-climbing wall (described
below), some low sand dunes, and then a small canyon with a view of Johnson
Arch (named after pioneer wife Maude Johnson) high above.
Also popular is the
Lava Flow Overlook Trail,
a 2-mile round-trip that starts
about a quarter-mile north of Snow Canyon Overlook, on Utah 18. The trail offers a
variety of panoramic views, including West Canyon Overlook, with a breathtaking
view into West Canyon.
Several longer and steeper trails lead to spectacular views of the canyons and
distant vistas; check with park rangers for details.
MOUNTAINBIKING
Although bicycling is not allowed on most park trails, it is per-
mitted on the 6-mile round-trip Whiptail Trail, a paved trail along the bottom of
the canyon. You can also bike West Canyon Road, a 7-mile round-trip route just
west of the park (ask rangers for directions).
ROCKCLIMBING
Very popular with technical rock climbers, Snow Canyon has more
than 170 designated routes, including the tall wall of rock on the east side of the
road just south of the campground. Get a map of the climbing areas and route in-
formation from the park office.
WILDLIFE-WATCHING
You're likely to see cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, and
songbirds; luckier visitors may also spot desert mule deer, bobcats, coyote, kit
foxes, eagles, and owls. Although it's unlikely, you may see a desert tortoise (a
federally listed threatened species) or Gila monster. Snow Canyon is also home to
some rattlesnakes, which you'll want to avoid.
