Snow Canyon: My Favorite Hike

It was five o’clock in the morning, my alarm was blaring in my ear as I forced myself to roll out of bed. I threw on my hiking shoes and grabbed a backpack on my way out the door. I drove exactly seven minutes to the trailhead of the Red Mountain Overlook to meet some friends. The hike up was relatively dark 

and a little brisk but the view we were rewarded with was spectacular. We reached the top of the hike just as the first rays of the sun hit the red mountain. It is an incredible feeling to stand at the top of a cliff and see for miles. To the right, I could see the glowing red cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park. To the left, I could see Pine Valley Mountain with snow still dusting the top, the Cinder Cone Volcano, and my house. Straight ahead I could see down Snow Canyon, past the white rocks, the lava tubes, and the sand dunes, all the way to the City of Ivins. 

In some places, it can be easy to take for granted the beautiful world we live in. Southern Utah, however, never lets us forget the gorgeous red rocks and canyons we have been blessed with. From the road that winds past Pioneer Park, to the third floor of Dixie High School, these vibrant red rocks are what make St. George stand out from anywhere else in the world. If you ask anyone in Southern Utah where to go for the best view of these magnificent sculptures they will almost certainly point you towards Snow Canyon State Park. 

There are dozens of activities in this beautiful park for people of all ages. For small children or big families, the sand dunes are a great place to bring a frisbee and a picnic for a nice afternoon. For those who are a little more adventurous, there are ample opportunities for rock climbing. If you need to get out of the house and stretch your legs, there are plenty of hiking trails surrounded by towering rocks and green sage bushes. Elderly people can enjoy this park as well. Sometimes hiking through rocks and sand can be a little tough on the knees, but, a nice joy ride down the West Canyon trail on e-bikes is always a great way to spend your morning. 

I love to go hiking with my little brothers, my favorite hike starts at the base of Snow Canyon and is called Scout Cave. It’s a four-and-a-half-mile hike that ends in a big cave overlooking Ivins.

Besides spending time on hikes with my family, my friends and I love to explore the park no matter the time of day. A couple of our favorite weekend activities are stargazing in the sand dunes and traversing the deep tunnels of the lava tubes at night. Some of my favorite memories have been made in the Snow Canyon State Park.

Josie Young
Dixie High School