7 Reasons Snow Canyon State Park is Southern Utah's Best-Kept Secret (Plus Stargazing Tips)
- Elaine Sison
- Apr 25
- 5 min read
Updated: May 1
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Snow Canyon State Park is one of the most popular state parks in Southern Utah and highly recommended for families. Snow Canyon has its own flair that sets it apart from Utah's national parks — fewer crowds, more intimacy, and hidden gems around every corner. My first thought when I arrived in the park was: I need to cycle here one day. The park offers a perfect biker's haven with a shared road for cyclists with a clear path (just watch out for tortoises. Yup, tortoises.) Visitors can also go hiking, camping, and rock climbing too.
Note: I came in mid-October and it happened to be the windiest day, so I opted to do easy and family-friendly activities.
Whether you're camping under the stars or staying in St. George, here are seven reasons Snow Canyon is absolutely worth the trip:
1) Walk on Petrified Dunes
You’ll find unique geology of sandstones and sand dunes that turned into stone over periods of environmental changes caused by rain and lava. The landscape is molded by so much details making it seem like you are on another world.
Difficult rating: easy-moderate
2) Take photos in Jenny’s Canyon
Jenny's Canyon is a family-friendly dirt and sandy trail with a mini slot canyon at the end. I visited with my sister and it was perfect for her because it turns out her name is Jenny too! We saw a family do a professional photoshoot in the slot canyon, so this makes an interesting photography location. We came on a weekday, and there was rarely anyone around.
Difficulty rating: Easy
Distance: 0.5 miles
3) Play in a giant sandbox at the Sand Dunes
As you drive further into Snow Canyon State Park, you'll find a giant sandbox with mini dunes. The Sand Dunes would be great for the kids to roll and play in the sand because hiking is not necessary to get here. It’s a great place for epic photography!
Difficulty rating: Easy
4) Hike a lava field and explore lava tubes on the Lava Flow Trail
The Lava Flow Trail is an intriguing remnant of a past volcanic eruption, allowing you to explore an ancient lava field and view lava tubes. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach the lava tubes due to strong winds and blowing sand in late October. This was an unusual occurrence as the wind was impacting the entire southern Utah region.
Difficulty rating: moderate
Distance: 1.4 miles
5) Enjoy the scenic drive
As soon as you drive into the park, you'll be greeted with tall mountains and unique terrains on all sides along the route. The drive was my favorite part of the visit as a driver. If you're lucky, you might see a tortoise crossing the road, but please be sure to stick to the 25 mph speed limit to avoid hurting the tortoises.
6) Spot the Mojave Desert tortoise
Desert tortoises can be spotted during your hikes or on the roads. There’s a reason why the park enforces a 25-mile speed limit because of these precious creatures. Hundreds of animals are killed on the roadway by speeding cars and the Mojave Desert tortoises are already threatened. If you do see a tortoise on the road, stop your car and slowly approach the tortoise to pick up with both hands. Safely carry it across the road in the direction it was heading no more than 100 feet from the roadway.*
And if you're willing to stay after sunset, Snow Canyon has one more extraordinary experience waiting for you.
*Source: Snow Canyon State Park brochure instructions.
7) Snow Canyon Is now an International Dark Sky Park
Most people don't know about yet about Snow Park: in December 2025, Snow Canyon State Park earned its International Dark Sky Place designation, making it one of the best stargazing spots in southern Utah — and one of the most accessible dark sky parks in the entire country.
If you're visiting St. George, Utah, staying after sunset is absolutely worth it. The park stays open until 10 pm, so even if you're not camping, you can drive back in after dinner and watch the stars appear over the canyon walls. And if you are camping? Snow Canyon's 32-site campground sits directly beneath views of a cinder cone volcano with an unobstructed view of the Milky Way on clear nights — it's like sleeping in the Flintstones' backyard, but with a night sky that will stop you mid-sentence.
Tips for stargazing at Snow Canyon State Park
Snow Canyon's dark sky designation means the park actively limits light pollution, giving you some of the clearest night skies. Here's how to make the most of it:
Best time to visit for stargazing:
Fall and winter offer the clearest, darkest skies in southern Utah. Aim for a new moon or crescent moon night for maximum Milky Way visibility.
Park hours:
Snow Canyon is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. If you're not camping, plan to arrive in the park by sunset and stay until closing for the best dark sky window. The drive-through scenic road offers great pull-off spots for sky watching.
Insider tip: If you're visiting specifically for stargazing, Arcadia Resort or Black Desert Resort in Ivins are ideal because they're close enough to drive into Snow Canyon after dinner and be inside the park well before the 10pm closing.
Entrance fee:
There is a state park entrance fee for residents and non-residents, so keep in mind that the annual national park pass is not accepted because Snow Canyon is a state park. They also offer an annual state park pass for $150 if you plan on going multiple times a year.
Best spot in the park:
The campground near the visitor center has wide open sight lines with the cinder cone volcano as a silhouette backdrop — one of the most photogenic stargazing setups in southern Utah. The Petrified Dunes area is another excellent open-sky location during evening hours.
What to bring for night sky viewing:
Red-light headlamp to preserve your night vision
Layers: Desert temperatures drop sharply after sunset, even in summer
GLORSIGN puffy outdoor blanket or outdoor chair for comfortable sky watching
A star chart app such as Sky Map or Stellarium (free)
Camera with manual settings for the Milky Way photography
Ranger-led dark sky events:
Snow Canyon occasionally offers ranger-led night sky programs in the park. Check the Utah State Parks website before your visit for scheduled events.
Accommodations for Snow Canyon State Park
There are 32 camp sites are available at Snow Canyon State Park with a cinder cone volcano in your backdrop. If camping is not your jam, St. George is the closest city with plenty of Airbnb, Vrbo, or hotel options.
Black Desert Resort: Utah's largest resort opened in 2025, with over 400 rooms and a 19-hole golf course sitting on 600 acres where the Colorado Plateau, Mojave Desert, and Great Basin meet.
Inn on the Cliff: Only 20 minutes from Snow Canyon state Park, each room offers a private balcony, complimentary breakfast, and free parking. Plus the Cliffside Restaurant is nestled right next door to the Inn on the Cliff, offering upscale American cuisine. I took my sister to to Cliffside Restaurant and the food was delicious and offered amazing cliff views.
Best Western Plus Abbey Inn: This is a great budget hotel as it offers free parking and complimentary buffet breakfast as well. I usually opt for Best Western hotels for affordable hotels.
Between the petrified dunes, Jenny's Canyon slot canyon, wild desert tortoises, and now a dedicated dark sky experience in southern Utah, Snow Canyon State Park packs a good day trip or camping experience.
Save this post for your next Utah adventure and share this with someone who needs this on their bucket list.
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