Snow Canyon's West Canyon Trail
The West Canyon Trail is a double-track trail in beautiful Snow Canyon west of St. George. You'll share this trail with hikers and horses. The trail surface isn't exciting, but -- let's get right to the point -- if you like sandstone, this is the most beautiful trail you'll ever ride. The trail is fairly straight, wide, and easy to ride. Altitude change is gradual. The trail is 3.8 miles each way, with an elevation gain of only 350 vertical feet.

The trail starts at a parking area in lower Snow Canyon, at GPS N 37° 11.601' W 113° 38.896', at an altitude of 3260 ft. At the gate, the paved Snow Canyon Trail merges with this trail for a short distance. Keep left on the gravel surface as the paved bike trail heads back towards the main road.

At 1.3 miles, there's a bathroom. (In case you didn't go at the trailhead bathroom.) The other houses pump water, and you're not supposed to relieve yourself inside them.
In Snow Canyon, there are a lot of short trails with plenty of southern Utah's unique Navajo sandstone. Kids LOVE Snow Canyon. 1.4 miles up, the Three Ponds Trail intersects the West Canyon Trail. Drop the bike and head left 1/2 mile up the narrow canyon! Two miles from the start of the trail, watch for a hiking path on the right that leads up to the Lava Tubes and other hiking paths. Dogs are allowed on the West Canyon Trail, but they're forbidden on the hiking trails.

Getting there: Heading south, take the Bluff Street exit in St. George. Turn right onto Bluff Street. Keep going straight until Bluff Street starts to leave the city (although the city is rapidly growing out in this direction).
When Bluff Street becomes Highway 18 towards Snow Canyon and Veyo, watch for the intersection with Skyline Drive and Snow Canyon Parkway about a mile later. Turn left onto Snow Canyon Parkway. Continue a couple of miles until you see the sign for Snow Canyon and Tuacahn. Turn right here. A half-mile later, you'll reach the fee station for Snow Canyon ($5 per car). About a half mile after the fee station, you'll see sand dunes on your left, then a parking area for the trail.

Copyright 2002 Mad Scientist Software Inc
Trail conditions change, and the layout of a trail may change without notice. Use this trail guide at your own risk.