Snow Canyon State Park  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  37.1796, -113.6448 Map Page Views:  117,643. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Andrew Gram, Perin Blanchard, grk10vq, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Tony B on Dec 2, 2003 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 86° | 55° 90° | 57° 86° | 55° 91° | 57° 91° | 57°

Rock in Snow Canyon

Description 

Snow Canyon State Park is in the area of the city of Saint George, perhaps an hour from the heart of Zion National Park.

This large state park boasts a little of everything, from short sport clip-ups to mixed multi-pitch routes or even long, infrequently traveled adventure climbs. I have only sampled the area, but am writing it up here to get the ball rolling. The crags are sandstone, some reminiscent of the good stuff at Red Rock, NV, some resembling the softer formations of Zion National Park, and some fit for climbing by only the truest of desert rats.

No matter if you are chasing sun or shade, or wanting crimpers, slopers, pockets, or an occasional crack there are climbs of various flavors facing in any given direction at any given time of day, depending on which crag you are at. The Island In The Sky area sports the Aftershock Wall, Circus Wall, The Doghouse, and other walls with good sport and mixed climbs. The West Canyon area has adventure routes and much adventure potential for those looking for touble and in possession of an emergency bolt kit. The nearby town of Saint George has plenty of services and hotels as well as nearby 'improved camping' at Snow Canyon State Park ($14 in addition to $5 daily entry fee) or free camping just outside town on BLM land.

The following guidebooks contain more details on the area and the park: Rock Climbs of Southwest Utah & The Arizona Strip, Second Edition; Rock Climbing Utah; and an article in Climbing magazine #225 (article by Tim Kemple).

Getting There 

The directions for each individal crag will be more telling, but to reach the state Park entrance, exit I-15 on the Bluff Street (I-15 Exit 6) in Saint George. Go north a few miles to the Snow Canyon Parkway, then left on that for 6 miles to Highway 8, then right (north) on that for ~3 miles into the park. Maps are available for the park at the entry kiosk where they will collect your $5 entry fee.

I kid you not, these directions are listed under the 'season' section of the Goss guidebook.

The Classics

Featured Route For Snow Canyon State Park

The Doghouse Arete 5.11b  UT : Saint George : ... : The Doghouse

The warm-up of choice for the visiting sport climber, The Doghouse Arete will get the flash pump out of the way-and quick! Steep and tricky, this rounded arete offers the most room for error. Dynamic climbing leads to some tricky and powerful moves. A handful of jugs, a huge flat edge, and some killer crimps keep this steep route fun and exciting. Figure out the difficult sequences and stay out of the doghouse! ...[more]   Browse More Classics in UT

Photos of Snow Canyon State Park Slideshow

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Joseffa Meir walks in to Snow Canyon for a cold mo...	Blurry ( due to rain) look at the canyon coming do...	Rock in Snow Canyon
Looking West from the Enclosure