Overview

Hype:

Whiptail Trail runs through much of Snow Canyon State Park, offering a smooth, accessible route for walkers, cyclists, joggers, and families. The trail follows the canyon floor and showcases classic southern Utah scenery.

The route is easy to follow, paved, and roughly 5.5 miles round trip, with modest elevation gain. It also connects well with nearby trails and viewpoints, making it a good base route for exploring the park.

The best time to visit is fall through spring. Summer can be very hot in the St. George desert, so early mornings are strongly preferred if visiting then.

Trail Condition: Class 0 (Trail is paved. No elevation gain.)

Time: 1-3 hours

Length: 2.9 miles one way

Elevation Gain: 550 ft

Fees: Park Admission

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Maps

Closest City or Region: Snow Canyon State Park, Utah

Coordinates: 37.177196, -113.645875

Interactive Guide Map

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Brochure

April 8, 2026 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Tara Dye, Savannah Dye, Madilyn Dye, Cooper Dye,

Story

Tara and the kids hiked the Whiptail Trail from camp down to Pioneer Names. They hiked up to the names, then across to a small arch. 

They got back on the Whiptail Trail and hiked down to the sand dunes. By that point, Cooper was too tired to continue and plopped face-down in the sand, refusing to go further. 

After he calmed down, they hiked back up the Whiptail Trail to camp. They had a picnic in the grass under a tree.

Pictures