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Explore the Panorama of Snow Canyon State Park on HorsebackSouthern Utah’s Ultimate Experience! Whether you are an experienced rider or a first timer you will have the adventure of exploring the geologic setting of the approximately 18,700 acre Red Mountain Wilderness. Snow Canyon State Park partially wraps around its southern and eastern boundaries. Trails - Equestrians find many opportunities for trail riding in the Red Mountain Wilderness, with trails leading to spectacular overlooks into Snow Canyon, where black basalt flows overlie the red and white Navajo sandstone, creating a dramatic visual contrast. Enjoy panoramic vistas of the spires and mesas of Zion National Park to the east, the Virgin River Gorge to the south, and the high peaks of the Beaver Dam Mountains on the west. The mountain top is a dramatic expanse of red sand and slickrock. Rugged sandstone outcrops push up through pinyon pine, Utah juniper, and an understory of sagebrush, manzanita, and scrub oak. Wildlife - Mountain lion, bobcat, and kit fox are the more elusive mammals, while mule deer, coyote, jackrabbit, and cottontail are the most commonly observed wildlife. Various raptors, perching birds and songbirds fill the air, including hawks, quail, road runners, sparrows, and hummingbirds. View the latest articles about us on Greater Zion and Cowgirl Magazine. Enjoy the latest video from Arcadia Resort. Read about one group's adventure on the Lava Falls At Entrada Blog. And another happy group's recommendation here. |
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May through October rides (November through April rides please go to Greater Zion Horse Rides) are staged in the Red Mountain Wilderness (1500 feet higher in elevation) at the north border of Snow Canyon State Park, just a short 20 minute drive from St. George, UT. Ride times vary seasonally to arrange for the most comfortable temperatures. This location generally is at least 10 degrees cooler than in town. Rides are staged in a canyon with somewhat similar terrain as the park, with more trees and lovely views. Length of rides are a 2 hour session (90 minutes on trail for $80/person) and a 2.5 hour session (2 hours on trail for $95/person) to the donut hole rock at the end of the canyon (pictured at the bottom left of this page). The premier 3 hour rim tour (2.5 hours on trail for $115/person) will find you riding up a canyon, climbing up a sandstone trail to a higher elevation for a beautiful view of the park below. The trail continues across the north rim of Snow Canyon to several different viewpoints, then descends down through another sandstone canyon that meanders through Pinion and Juniper pine trees. This ride is an unforgettable experience, always rave reviews. A minimum of 2 riders are required for all tours or a private tour would be double the rate. Only 6 riders can be accommodated at one ride time. Groups larger than 6 riders would have to be split up into multiple ride times. Pricing changes seasonally and for holidays, so please call for current rates at 435-773-7630. Daily office hours are from 9am-6pm MST. Rides are provided at a lower altitude November through April in The Cottonwood Wilderness. Please click here: Greater Zion Horse Rides Your Proprietor -- Patty Arnett, a knowledgeable and experienced horsewoman for over 30 years, owning a training stables, competing at the international level (her stallion medaled at the Olympics), breeding horses and operating enjoyable and safe trail rides in southwest Utah. Getting There -- Take I-15 south to Exit 6 in Utah for Bluff Street. Turn right off exit ramp which will have you on Bluff Street driving north out of town (stay in right lane as it turns into Highway 18 to Enterprise, so follow those signs) to mile marker 15. Do not turn off this road prior to mile marker 15. Shortly after mile marker 15 there will be a sign on the right side of the road for the Red Mountain Trail entrance on your left. Take that left turn and follow the drive back to where you see the white truck, gray horse trailer and horses. Happy Trails!
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