Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins, UT

The wide variety of natural features in its relatively small space makes Snow Canyon State Park an extra special place. 

While visiting three different areas of the park, I thoroughly enjoyed viewing the canyon from various high points, climbing atop and across its red rocks, walking along the canyon floor, investigating its lava flows and tubes, sitting in an amphitheater of white rock, and checking out a small slot canyon.

Petrified Dunes

In one section of the park, I hiked a loop of almost four miles. The mounds called Petrified Dunes provided the first views of the canyon. I was struck immediately by its beauty.

Snow Canyon

South End of the Canyon

North End of the Canyon

I fully appreciated being able to walk atop the dunes as it added an immersive quality to the experience.

Petrified Dunes

Red Slickrock Sandstone

I was especially intrigued by the many textures that appeared in the red rock.

As If It Was Constructed of Countless Bricks

Flowing Rock Frozen Solid

Many Thin Layers

Canyon Floor

As I made my way to the canyon floor, I realized that not every rock feature was made of smooth sandstone. Some had wild shapes. Some had colors beyond the dominant red.

Hollow and Misshapen

Lava Rocks in a Dry Streambed

I was able to get closer to the far canyon wall.

West Wall

Towering Rocks

Being on the canyon floor gave me a different perspective and additional views of Snow Canyon.

Snow Canyon

End of the Canyon

Lava Flow

As I left the canyon floor and began to climb, I saw these interesting red and white rocks on the edge of a lava flow.

Red Rock with White Swirls

Once in the midst of the lava flow, I came across black rock in large quantities and interesting individual pieces.

Lava Flow

Broken Lava Rock

I found two lava tubes to be both mysterious and a little intimidating.

Lava Tube

Entrance to a Second Lava Tube

Final Leg

As I returned to the trailhead, I continued to see new things that caught my eye or stood out as unique.

Raven Rides the Wind Currents over Snow Canyon
(it is in the bottom left cloud)

Silver Cholla

I also came back to the Petrified Dunes that grabbed my attention from the very beginning of the hike.

Stacked Sheets of Plywood

Elephant Skin

White Rocks

I went to the second area to see a collection of white rocks that contrasted significantly with the red so prevalent across most of the state park.

White Rocks

Within these rocks was a natural bowl named White Rocks Amphitheater.

White Rocks Amphitheater

Amphitheater Viewed from the Back

While I sat there about midway between the bottom and top of the bowl, I marveled at the amphitheater and was once more taken by one of nature's creations.

Scoops of Ice Cream

Rows and Rows of Tiny Rectangles

As I investigated the area, I found a narrow fissure on the far side of the amphitheater.

Fissure Beyond the Back Rim of the Amphitheater

Jenny's Canyon

The last area in the park I visited was a slot canyon named Jenny's Canyon. It was a short walk from the parking lot to the red rocks that surround the slot canyon.

On the Way to Jenny's Canyon

With it angled almost perpendicular as you looked at the rock face, its location wasn't obvious. Maybe a mythical creature imbedded its handprint in the rock to mark the entrance.

Entrance is at the Dark Spot on the Right

Giant's Handprint

It probably only stretched 30 or 40 yards into the rock before it ended. It was narrow enough that you couldn't see much when looking up through the top or back out the entrance.

Jenny's Canyon

Looking Upward

View from the Back of the Slot Canyon