St. George is an outdoor lovers paradise. Snow Canyon and the Arizona Strip District offers contrasts from the Mojave Desert at 2,000 feet above sea level in the Virgin River Gorge, to the 10,000-foot Alpine wilderness on the ridges of Pine Valley Mountain.
Located in the hills west of St. George is an area of eroded sandstone rocks contrasted with lava flow beds and caves in a display of color below the deep blue sky. Snow Canyon offers a scenic drive along with hiking among the twisted rock layers, cliffs and lava flows. At an elevation of 3200 feet, the Park is open all year round. There is a $4 admission fee and reservations for camping can be made through a general information number---435-628-2255 or by calling 800-322-3770.
The best viewpoints are around the North end of the Canyon, near the junction of the park drive with UT 18. A two mile path crosses the lava field and passes at least four lava caves. A few of the caves are quite large, but extend for only a few hundred feet before becoming blocked. Care should be taken when climbing down into the caves because the rocks are sharp and jagged and passages are often narrow.
Desert plants add yet another element to the colors and forms of the Canyon. Sand dunes are scattered around the edges of the valley, and several areas on the enclosing cliffs have examples of Indian petroglyphs. Other trails lead to colorful side canyons, with arches and rock formations.