Explore Utah's Red Rock Desert At This Underrated State Park
By Courtnie Erickson|Published July 08, 2022
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Southern Utah is an outdoor lover’s paradise. With multiple state parks, recreation areas, and even national parks, this area of the state is a slice of heaven. Snow Canyon State Park is located in this region of the Beehive State and while popular among locals, it is often overlooked by tourists who tend to venture to the more popular destinations. However, this underrated state park in Utah deserves a spot on every bucket list, and here’s why.
Snow Canyon State Park is located in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. This incredible 7,400-acre state park features remarkable lava flows, sandstone cliffs, and a desert landscape that makes it a picturesque place to visit.
This state park was created in 1959, but it has a history that extends much longer. In fact, artifacts show that humans explored this region as far back as 500 B.C.
While there is much to do at Snow Canyon State Park, one of the most popular activities is hiking. With more than 38 miles of hiking trails around the park, it’s easy to find incredible trails to explore.
If you are looking for an easy, short, and kid-friendly hiking trail in Snow Canyon State Park, check out Jenny’s Canyon. This 0.3-mile out-and-back trail takes you to short slot canyons that are extremely fun to explore.
If you want something a little more challenging, check out the Lava Flow Trail. This 2.5-mile trail takes you through a 27,000-year-old lava flow. As you explore, you’ll also see educational signs, helping to mark the entrances of lava tubes that you can enter as well.
Not only are there hiking trails for your entire family at this state park, but there are also more than 15 miles of equestrian trails, making for an unforgettable outdoor adventure.
While there is plenty to do if you want to explore this state park in a single day, stay for a while. You can reserve a campsite at the Snow Canyon Campground, which is surrounded by red sandstone and black lava rock.
This campground is open year round and features tent and RV campsites. It’s the perfect spot to set up a home base and truly explore all that this state park has to offer.
Make plans to explore Snow Canyon State Park in southern Utah. With so much history, beautiful sites, hiking trails, and more, this is one underrated state park that you’ll be glad you visited.
Have you been to Snow Canyon State Park in southern Utah? What did you do during your visit? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments! And, if you want to learn more about this underrated state park in Utah, visit the Utah State Park’s website.
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