IVINS – Snow Canyon State Park has announced a lineup of spring events that offer unique opportunities to hike with park staff or rangers and learn about the park from experts.
Snow Canyon State Park is a 7,400-acre scenic park located in the 62,000-acre Red Cliffs Desert Reserve. The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve was established to protect the federally listed desert tortoise and its habitat.
Lava flows and sandstone cliffs contrast in the park, and there are plentiful opportunities for hiking, nature studies, wildlife viewing, photography, camping, ranger talks and junior ranger programs. The park boasts more than 38 miles of hiking trails as well as a 3-mile paved walking/biking trail and more than 15 miles of equestrian trails.
The first in the series of guided hikes is set for Friday at 6 p.m.
Hiking schedule is as follows:
- Lava Tube Hike
- Join park staff for a 2-mile round-trip hike and the chance to explore the unique formations of a lava tube. Friday, April 10, 6-7:30 p.m.
- Sunset Hike
- Explore the twilight sights and sounds of the canyon during a 1.5-mile round-trip hike. April 17, 7:30-9 p.m., April 22 8-9:30 p.m.
- Nature’s Bounty
- Learn to identify traditional uses of some of Snow Canyon’s edible and medicinal plants during this 1.5-mile round-trip hike. April 18, 8:30-10 a.m.
- Scorpion Search
- Have you ever wanted to see a scorpion up close? Join the park staff to learn more about these amazing creatures and search for resident scorpions. April 24, 8:45-9:45 p.m.; May 15, 9-10 p.m.
- West Canyon K9 Walk
- Bring your canine pal and join park staff on this 2-mile round-trip walk with a ranger on West Canyon Road. (All welcome, dog not required). April 2, 8-10 a.m.; May 30, 8-10 a.m.
- Moonlit Hike
- Join park staff for a moonlit 2-mile hike. Enjoy the unique opportunity to see the canyon by moon glow. May 1, 8:30-10 p.m.; May 2, 8:30-10 p.m.
- Desert Reptile Awareness
- Are you aware that Southern Utah has the greatest number of reptiles in the state, because it is in a transition zone between the Mojave Desert, Great Basin Desert and the Colorado Plateau? Join Ann McLuckie, wildlife biologist, and learn more about reptiles’ unique desert adaptations during an evening slideshow. Next day, join park staff on a morning hike and look for signs of reptiles. May 8, 7-8 p.m. slide presentation; May 9, 10-11:30 a.m. hike.
- Morning Sketchwalk
- Admire the morning glow of the canyon and enjoy the magic of sketching nature on this short stroll. May 16, 8-9:30 a.m.; May 23, 8-9:30 a.m.
Register
All events are free and open to the public; however, space is limited, and registration is required. Program registration is held two days before the scheduled event. Registration can by done in person or by phone. For more information, or to register, contact park staff at 435-628-2255.
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