The Snow Canyon Volcano
Southern Utah is loaded with State Parks, Federal Parks, National Monuments, and glorious scenery everywhere you look. One such place is Snow Canyon in nearby Ivins.
Reserve your stay at Zion River Resort and experience more incredible scenery at Snow Canyon, which Mother Nature carved from the red and white Navajo sandstone of the Red Mountains. You’ll see the extinct Santa Clara Volcano, lava tubes, black lava rock tumbling down hillsides, and sand dunes.
No Snow in Snow Canyon
Well, very little snow anyway. Ironically named, Snow Canyon rarely has any snow. It was named for early Utah settlers named Snow. What Snow Canyon does have is 7,400 acres of colorful desert landscape and a mild climate which makes it just perfect for rock climbing and challenging hikes up the volcano.
Hike the Volcano
Don’t miss visiting the Santa Clara Volcano while you are in Snow Canyon State Park. Deemed ‘extinct’ by geologists because it erupted about 27,000 years ago and then crumbled into a cinder cone, the volcano can still be a challenge to hike. Although it won’t spew lava while you visit, the volcano’s 1.9 mile roundtrip Cinder Cone Trail is rated moderately difficult for its steepness and slipperiness. Once you get to the top – 500 feet up – you will be rewarded with beautiful views of Snow Canyon and a look into the volcano’s crater.
See Snow Canyon State Park and the Santa Clara Volcano at 1002 Snow Canyon Drive in Ivins. The park also offers hiking, biking, picnicking, and horseback riding. It is open year round and is only 15 miles away via UT 9W. For more information, call (435) 628-2255.
Take Pictures and Come Back to Zion River Resort
No snow in the seasonal weather patterns anytime soon, so pack your bags and your camera and come to pet-friendly Zion River Resort where you can choose an RV campsite or a cozy cabin as your home base while you marvel at the ancient volcano in Snow Canyon State Park.
