Butterfly Trail

BUTTERFLY TRAIL – SNOW CANYON STATE PARK

BUTTERFLY TRAIL – Snow Canyon State Park

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Distance: 1.2 miles round-trip (2 miles to West Canyon Overlook)

TRAIL SUMMARY

The Butterfly Trail is one of the most overlooked trails in Snow Canyon. This trail is advertised more as a connector trail than anything, but it really can and does stand on its own! After parking, head down the Petrified Dunes Trail and continue West where the Petrified Dunes Trail turns south. The trail drops down and follows along a huge petrified dune until if finally climbs up and turns west again. You will feel like the only person in the Park on this trail. The views are fantastic as you look up and down the canyon. Eventually this trail connects with the Lava Flow Trail, where you can turn around or follow down to the West Canyon Overlook (adds another .8 miles round trip). This is a great trail to take your family on, even if you don’t hike the whole trail. The views and colors on this hike will not disappoint!

Difficulty Level
Moderate
Round Trip Length
1.2 miles (2 miles to West Canyon Overlook)
Average Hike Time
40 mins
GPS Coordinates
37°12’56.4″N 113°38’37.9″W
Property Management
Snow Canyon State Park
Distance from St George
11.5 Miles (25 minutes driving)
Restroom Facilities
No bathroom facilities available at the trail head, but there are facilities available close by in the park.
Hikers Allowed
Yes
Dogs Allowed
No
Bikers Allowed
No
Equestrian Allowed
No
Hike Type
Day Hike
Best Time of Year to Hike
Spring, Fall, Winter
Best Time of Day to Hike
Morning, Late Afternoon
Group Limit
No Limit
Permit Information
No Permit Required
Cost
Entry Fees: $6 per vehicle (up to eight people); $3 per vehicle (up to eight people) Utah seniors 62 and older; $4 pedestrian/cyclists (up to eight people); $2 per person commercial use or vehicles with nine or more people
Camping Fees: Non-hookup sites: $20 per night; Hookup Sites (W&E): $25 per night
Extra vehicle fees (one extra vehicle per site permitted): $10 (non-hookups) or $13 (hookups)

Group Day Use: Lower Galoot Day Use Area: $60 (Reservation / Permit required)

Group Overnight Camping: Cottontail Group Campground: $3 per person + refundable cleaning deposit at park (25 people min – 35 max – 10 vehicles max). Quail Group Campground: $3 per person + refundable cleaning deposit at park (25 people min – 55 max – 20 vehicles max)
Water Sources Available
No Water Sources Available. 1 Water Bottle per person recommended
Camp Sites
No camping available on hike, but in designated Park Campground
Trail Conditions
Dirt single track, small patches of slick rock
Sun Exposure
Full sun exposure on trail

TOP 3 HIKE HIGHLIGHTS

Amazing Views of Snow Canyon
Family Friendly
Short Hike

WHAT’S NEARBY

Places to Stay

Places to Eat

Shopping / Trail Gear

DIRECTIONS TO TRAIL HEAD

Get Directions to Trailhead. From St George, head north on Bluff Street and take exit to Red Hills Pkwy/Snow Canyon Pkwy. Turn left onto Snow Canyon Pkwy and travel 3.2 miles until you come to a traffic circle. Proceed through the circle and continue 0.7 miles. At the next traffic circle take the first exit onto Snow Canyon Dr. In 3.6 miles (after passing through the main gate) the parking lot for the trail head will be on your left.