National park · United States
Snow Canyon State Park
Visit Snow Canyon for a short hike to Whiptail Trail (≤2 h) in spring or fall, or a full‑day loop to Extinct Volcano and Jenny's Canyon in cooler months; pay entry fee and camp only in the designated campground.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
14 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (14 km²)
approximate
Established
1959
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 14 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (14 km²)
- Park covers about 13.5 km² of red Navajo sandstone and lava‑filled canyons; figures may vary slightly in different sources (check).
- Established
- 1959
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Snow Canyon State Park, established in 1959, offers striking red‑white sandstone cliffs, extinct volcanic cones and desert flora, with easy paved trails for hiking, biking and roller‑blading, plus a small campground near the park office.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteUtah state park
Size and age
14 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (14 km²) · national park since 1959
Park covers about 13.5 km² of red Navajo sandstone and lava‑filled canyons; figures may vary slightly in different sources (check).
Why go
- Red and white Navajo sandstone with lava‑filled canyons.
- Short, well‑marked trails suitable for families and casual hikers.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, low crowds
- FebCool, low crowds
- MarMild, desert flowers
- AprWarm, dry, ideal hiking
- MayWarm, dry, desert blooms
- JunHeat rises, midday sun intense
- JulVery hot, >100 °F common
- AugVery hot, limited shade
- SepCooling, still dry
- OctMild, comfortable
- NovCool, occasional chill
- DecCool, low crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoyotesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| RoadrunnersMar–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Lizards and sidewindersApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From St. George
Take UT‑18 north 8 mi, turn left on Snow Canyon Parkway, then right on UT‑8 into the park.
15–20 min
From Las Vegas
Drive I‑15 north 120 mi to St. George, then follow directions above.
2 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park Office & Campground | Visitor centre, restrooms, 30 campsites with hookups. | Open daily; entry fee required. |
| Whiptail Trailhead | 6‑mi paved trail for hiking, biking, roller‑blading. | From road at canyon floor. |
| Extinct Volcano Area | Short steep trail to cinder‑cone summit. | Foot traffic only; no vehicles. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates derived from official park map; approximate for trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | US$5 | person | 2026 estimate; official site lists $5 per vehicle (check). |
| Campground full‑hookup site | US$18 | site | From source. |
| Campground dry site | US$15 | site | From source. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$5
- US$18
- US$15
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Utah State Parks – Snow Canyon before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails; must be on a leash at all times.
- Camping
- Only in the designated campground; no backcountry sites.
- Firearms
- Disallowed within park boundaries.
- Drones
- Not permitted without special permission.
- Off‑road vehicles
- Prohibited on park roads and trails.
Where to stay
Near the park
St. George hotels
Range of motels, inns, and chain hotels 5–10 mi north.
In the park
Park campground
30 sites with water/electric hookups.
Safety
Heat medium
Flash floods high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Paved Whiptail Trail suitable for wheelchairs with assistance; restrooms wheelchair‑accessible.
- Steep sections to Extinct Volcano not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile desert vegetation.
- Use refillable water bottles; no disposable plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Snow Canyon State Park?
Entry is $5 per vehicle (2026 estimate); check the official site for current rates.
What are the best hikes in Snow Canyon State Park?
Whiptail Trail (paved, easy), Extinct Volcano (short steep climb), Jenny's Canyon (slot canyon, seasonal closure), Pioneer Names (historic walk).
When is the best time to visit Snow Canyon State Park?
Spring (Mar–May) and fall (Sep–Oct) offer mild temperatures and desert blooms, with fewer crowds.
Can I camp anywhere in Snow Canyon?
Camping is only allowed in the designated campground near the park office; no backcountry sites.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?
Yes, dogs are permitted on all trails if kept on a leash.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Snow Canyon State Park
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