Lava Tube Loop

Snow Canyon is a 7,400-acre state park in Southwestern Utah. Named after Mormon explorers Lorenzo and Erastus Snow, the park was established in 1958 and is famous for its short, moderately technical canyons, as well as a healthy desert tortoise and peregrine falcon population. But perhaps some of the most unique and exciting features of Snow Canyon are its extinct lava tubes. This 3.4-mile loop includes five different trails that showcase a nice variety of terrain and environments. From the trailhead, you will begin on the Butterfly Trail for half a mile until you hit the Lava Flow Trail. Be sure to watch for trail markers as you move through erosion-resistant terrain. From this junction you can climb to an overlook with fantastic views of the entire park, or you can explore the two lava tubes that are close-by. Backtrack northeast up the Lava Flow trail to a smaller, 15-foot cave, or continue west along the Lava Flow Trail to find the largest cave in the park. This tube cuts over a hundred feet into the hillside, containing a large cathedral room within. Make sure to bring a powerful light, and watch your step while you are in the cave as the rocks are sharp and loose. After exploring the cave, continue along the Lava Flow Trail to West Canyon Road in the canyon basin. Follow this fire road south for a mile until you reach Three Ponds Trail. Take a left here for a short connection to the Petrified Dunes Trail. Enjoy the black rocks, then take another left and follow the trail markers up and over the rock hill, finally continuing to the parking area.