Snow Canyon State Park

Joseffa Meir walks in to Snow Canyon for a cold mo...

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.

Featured Route For Snow Canyon State Park

Pygmy Alien 5.7  UT : Saint George : Snow Canyon State Park

This is one of the best routes on the wall. It is very continuous at the grade. Follow a line of 12 pitons that are painted green to belay in a hole in the wall. The start climbs sandy fiction slab to steep edge climbing. The 4 or 5th ring piton is broken, so a long sling is useful for a tie off. I have not climbed the 2nd pitch, but it leaves the hole passing a few pitons to a crack system to the top of the wall.2 ropes are requird for a d...[more]