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Elevation: 3,165 ft
GPS: 37.17959, -113.64478
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Shared By: Tony B on Dec 2, 2003 · Updates
Admins: Andrew Gram, Nathan Fisher, Perin Blanchard, GRK, D C
Warning Access Issue: PRECIPITATION AND WET ROCK DetailsDrop down

Description Suggest change

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 Rocks, 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 trouble 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 ($20 in addition to a $10 daily entry fee) or free camping just outside town on BLM land.

The sandstone here is easily damaged when wet. Please allow at least 24-48 hours before climbing after any precipitation. If the ground is at all damp, please do not climb on any local sandstone. Consider nearby options on basalt, limestone, granite, or plastic instead.

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 Suggest change

Maps are available for the park at the entry kiosk where they will collect your entry fee.

71 Total Climbs

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Classic Climbing Routes at Snow Canyon State Park

Mountain Project's determination of the classic, most popular, highest rated climbing routes in this area.
5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a
 29
Island in the Sky Traverse
Trad
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 214
Leopard Skin
Trad, Sport 4 pitches
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b
 108
Pygmy Alien
Trad, Sport 2 pitches
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c
 79
Uncle Reamus
Trad
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a
 96
Heroes Get Remembered
Sport 5 pitches
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 93
Roar of the Greasepaint
Sport 2 pitches
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a
 71
Gratitude
Sport 4 pitches
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b
 221
Living On The Edge
Trad 4 pitches
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c
 128
Atomic Indian
Trad
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13
 26
Aftershock
Trad, Sport 4 pitches
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c
 65
The Doghouse Arete
Sport
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a
 22
Legends Never Die
Sport 4 pitches
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a
 79
The Richness of It All
Sport 4 pitches
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b
 27
Meaty Bone
Sport
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b
 5
The Journey From the Future
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
Island in the Sky Traverse Island In The Sky > Moss Canyon
 29
5.3 3+ 10 III 9 VD 3a Trad
Leopard Skin Island In The Sky > Sand Dunes
 214
5.7 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, Sport 4 pitches
Pygmy Alien Island In The Sky > Circus Wall
 108
5.7+ 5a 15 V+ 13 MVS 4b Trad, Sport 2 pitches
Uncle Reamus Enclosure
 79
5.8 5b 16 VI- 15 HVS 4c Trad
Heroes Get Remembered Island In The Sky > Sand Dunes
 96
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a Sport 5 pitches
Roar of the Greasepaint Island In The Sky > Circus Wall
 93
5.10a 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport 2 pitches
Gratitude Island In The Sky > Sand Dunes
 71
5.10- 6a 18 VI+ 18 E1 5a Sport 4 pitches
Living On The Edge Island In The Sky > Aftershock Wall
 221
5.10c 6b 20 VII 20 E2 5b Trad 4 pitches
Atomic Indian Enclosure
 128
5.11a 6c 22 VII+ 22 E3 5c Trad
Aftershock Island In The Sky > Aftershock Wall
 26
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c PG13 Trad, Sport 4 pitches
The Doghouse Arete Island In The Sky > Doghouse
 65
5.11b 6c 23 VIII- 23 E3 5c Sport
Legends Never Die Island In The Sky > Aftershock Wall
 22
5.11+ 7a 24 VIII 24 E4 6a Sport 4 pitches
The Richness of It All Island In The Sky > War Zone
 79
5.12a 7a+ 25 VIII+ 25 E5 6a Sport 4 pitches
Meaty Bone Island In The Sky > Doghouse
 27
5.12b 7b 26 VIII+ 26 E5 6b Sport
The Journey From the Future Hackberry Wash Wall
 5
5.12 7b+ 27 VIII+ 26 E6 6b Trad
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