You will see the multicolored sandstone cliffs and lava flows that characterize the area. Learn about the geology of southern utah with maps, photos and expert descriptions. The geology of snow canyon by miriam bugdot be stark intensity of snow canyon state park s cokrs, terrain. Geology of quail creek state park, utah by robert f. Saw our first desert tortoise as we were hiking out. Towering sandstone bluffs, stunning desert views, and unique geology are all part of what makes up one of utahs most tranquil parks. Snow canyon state park is a 7,400acre scenic park quietly tucked amid lava flows and soaring sandstone cliffs in a strikingly colorful and fragile desert environment. The petrified dunes at snow canyon state park reflect in a. Beautiful red cliffs mixed with green evergreen and joshua trees made for a stunning landscape. To supplement courses in geology at the high school and college levels. Book your tickets online for snow canyon state park, utah. Sonoran desert tortoise gopherus morafkai in snow canyon state park, utah, us. Camp in the peaceful campground surrounded by ancient lava flows and red navajo sandstone.
Scenery is great along the entire route, but the most spectacular part is within snow canyon state park. Snow canyon state park snow canyon utah visit utah. Highlights the geology of several national and state parks and monuments in utah. Report on the geology of snow canyon state park in washington county, utah. Publication date 1992 series public information series. The trail surface isnt exciting, but lets get right to the point if you like sandstone, this is the most beautiful trail youll ever ride. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers. Geology of snow canyon state park, utah in geology of utahs parks and monuments, 2003 utah geological association publication 28 second edition d. Campground details snow canyon state park, ut reserveamerica. Getting there from zion national park, follow utah 9 to exit 16 off i15, head south to st. We had heard that if this state park were anywhere but utah it would be a national park. Landforms of southern utah a photographic journey of the natural wonders of southern utah. Two recent volcanic cones are found near the head of the canyon.
It is a national parkcaliber destination in the red cliffs desert reserve that is popular with road cyclists, hikers, climbers and families. Snow canyons scenery reminds us of the earths past when cticnsivc rivet sysicnu meandered through luh. Snow canyon state park 1002 snow canyon drive ivins, ut 84738 435. To help geology students learn the sequence of rock formations in the three geologic provinces of utah. Find available tours snow canyon state park park tour, ut. The public information series consists of brief topical reports or brochures designed to make nontechnical geologic information available to the general public. Sep 23, 2016 snow canyon petroglyphs utah heather brown travel videos. A new regionalscale geologic map of southwest utah.
Padre canyon is a three sided canyon oriented north to south. See pictures of zion, bryce canyon, canyonlands and arches national parks, just to. Each park provides its own brand of outdoor recreation. With its towering red and white sandstone cliffs, interspersed with black lava rock and green desert foliage, snow canyon is like a mininational park. The stark intensity of snow canyon state park s colors, terrain, and vegetation create a surrealistic flair to one of southern utah s most striking recreation areas. Snow canyon state park is a state park of utah, usa, featuring a canyon carved from the red and white navajo sandstone in the red mountains. Snow canyon state park campground utah campsite photos. The canyon lies open like a geologic textbook with each colorful rock. Wandering through snow canyon leads to discovery st. Snow canyon state park, an utah state park located near saint. The 7,400acre snow canyon state park is a short distance from other area attractions only a 20minute drive from st. Despite its name, snow canyon state park rarely sees any snow.
Bryce canyon natural history assocaition and utah geological association. Snow canyons scenery reminds us of the earths past when extensive river systems meandered through utah, desert sands enveloped the land, and volcanic eruptions scorched. Snow canyon state park utah all you need to know before. From the crystal blue waters of quail creek reservoir to the 16,000 acres of ohv riding on. Snow canyon s most notable feature is the large canyon among the red mountains, however there are many interesting features to discover, including lava tubes and flows, cinder cones, and sand dunes.
Anasazi peoples originally occupied this land for nearly 1,000 years, eventually being followed by the more recent paiute. The park consists of 5,738 acres at an elevation of 3,200 feet in southwestern utah and is located within the 62,000 acre red cliffs desert reserve. Early spring and fall use of the park are especially appealing due to southern utah s moderate climate. I had heard good things about it for years, but we had just never managed to make it down there. To the east is steep sloping hillside that gradually merges upward into vertical kayenta and navajo sandstone cliffs at. This large state park boasts a little of everything, from short sport clipups to mixed multipitch routes or even long, infrequently traveled adventure climbs. This strikingly colorful canyon is 11 miles northwest of st.
Snow canyon state park area recreation called a mini zion this beautiful canyon features red rock formations, hikes, sand dunes and hidden caves. This 6x9 paperback has 286 pages that are packed with detailed information about southern utah geology. Padre canyon is in southwest utah, 50 miles west of zion national park with a valley elevation of 3100 feet above sea level. Snow canyon state park snow canyon state park is approximately 8 miles north of st. May 04, 2017 in todays video, were exploring snow canyon. Snow canyon state park utah 2020 all you need to know.
Geology of snow canyon state park, utah by janice m. Towering sandstone bluffs, stunning desert views, and unique geology are all part of what makes up one of utah s most tranquil parks. Snow canyon state park is a state park of utah, usa, featuring a canyon carved from snow canyon state park is a. Snow canyon state park utahs best vacation rentals. Gcz9c6 inverted topography snow canyon earthcache in utah. Overshadowed by utahs most popular park to the east zion, snow canyon is another one of those delightful geological samplers. Early spring and fall use of the park is especially appealing due to southern utah s moderate winter climate. Reef, dinosaur national monument, goblin valley, and snow canyon. Photography, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping are popular activities. Snow canyon state park 1002 snow canyon drive ivins, ut. Hike to the snow canyon petroglpyhs, snow canyon petroglpyhs. Snow canyon state park in zion national park frommers. Proceed through that light and you will be on snow canyon parkway. George, utah, and just an hour from the entrance to zion national park if you follow i15 and highway 9 east.
It is close to town, but feels remote as you descend the canyon. Overshadowed by utah s most popular park to the east zion, snow canyon is another one of those delightful geological samplers. If you drive a bit further up 18 toward diamond, there are two. Friends of snow canyon state park ivins, utah 84738 rated 4. Some of the best scenery and recreation in the country can be found in greater zion, specifically in the four state parks that span our landscape. Spectacular towering cliffs at castle rock campground, sevier county. Explore the trails and dunes of beautiful snow canyon on foot, bike, and horseback. A geologic tour through wasatch mountain state park. Snow canyon state park is an outdoor adventurists paradise, featuring 7,400 acres of sandstone cliffs and a fragile desert environment. Snow canyon petroglpyhs trailhead search nearby added by thomas burton. New age for the santa clara snow canyon state park basalt. Rock climbing in snow canyon state park, saint george.
See pictures of zion, bryce canyon, canyonlands and arches national parks, just to name a few. George exit 8, and take utah 18 northwest to the parks entrance road. Best views trails in snow canyon state park alltrails. This book highlights the geology of each of the national parks and. Most likely a national park in any other state, the canyon is tucked in a transition zone between utahs red rock canyonlands and neighboring nevadas great basin. One of the best places to see petroglyph in a slot canyon. Snow canyon state park features red navajo sandstone, capped by an overlay of black lava rock. It was named after two distantly related men with the last name of snow, early pioneers and leaders in the utah territory. The west canyon trail is a doubletrack trail in beautiful snow canyon west of st.
The geology of snow canyon state park, washington county, utah. Midmay and plenty of wildflowers, bushes and cacti blooming. Majestic views and the subtle interplay of light, shadow, and color dancing across canyon walls. Only ran into 3 other parties on this beautiful hike on a monday morning.
For decades geologists have come to utah to study its geology and to explore for a variety of geologic resources. George, utah snow canyon state park was a beautiful surprise for us. Bryce canyon national park, canyonlands national park, arches national park, coral. Kayaking and hiking day trip from las vegas to sand hollow and snow canyon, utah. It is a national parkcaliber destination in the red cliffs desert reserve that is. Top 25 snow canyon state park, ut rv rentals and motorhome. Early spring and fall use of the park is especially appealing due to southern utahs moderate winter climate. Most likely a national park in any other state, the canyon is tucked in a transition zone between utah s red rock canyonlands and neighboring nevadas great basin. For a shorter route, just ride up into snow canyon, as far as you want, then return the way you can. Other geological features of the state park include extinct cinder cones, lava tubes, lava flows, and sand dunes. Gcz9c6 inverted topography snow canyon earthcache in. Discover the secrets of the desert landscape through seasonal nature programs. The geology of snow canyon by miriam bugdot be stark intensity of snow canyon state parks cokrs, terrain. Early spring and fall use of the park are especially appealing due to southern utahs moderate climate.
Geology underfoot in southern utah explores the stories behind 33 handpicked sites. Snow canyon state park is in the area of the city of saint george, perhaps an hour from the heart of zion national park. Majestic views and the subtle interplay of light, shadow, and color dancing across canyon walls evoke strong emotional responses from visitors. Best trails in snow canyon state park utah alltrails. In 1998 a more reasonable plan was put in action and now there is a process in place in which you can apply to the parks to establish a new bolted route if you. The park consists of 5,738 acres at an elevation of 3,200 feet in southwestern utah and is located within. Snow canyon state park this amazing park in ivins, northwestern suburb of st george, utah, is just a short distance away. This unusual geology has resulted in a varied and interesting topography, as well as a nice for scenery mix of desert soils and bare outcrop.
Threatened vulnerable species in nature red l star trails over snow canyon utah snow canyon, utah from the overlook drive through snow canyon in utah snow canyon, utah snow covered mountains in ogden canyon, utah bryce canyon hoodoos on sunny day. The 7,400acre snow canyon state park in utah is our favorite state park of all. Follow this road to the south entrance of the park. Park information friends of snow canyon state park. Feel free to use or modify this presentation however you choose. Like most southern utah hikers, i had seen moqui marbles before but i never. Snow canyon became involved in the late 1980s ethical battles regarding sport versus trad and utah state parks finally imposed a moratorium on the installation of new bolts in 1994. Snow canyon s scenery reminds us of the earths past when cticnsivc rivet sysicnu meandered through luh. The geology of snow canyon by miriam bugden in searchworks. New age for the santa clara snow canyon state park basalt flow. The stark intensity of snow canyon state parks colors, terrain, and vegetation create a surrealistic flair to one of southern utahs most striking recreation areas.