The Snow Canyon Overlook via the Red Mountain Trail
The Red Mountain overlook: looking down into Snow Canyon from above, on a trail most visitors never find.
Almost everyone experiences Snow Canyon State Park from the canyon floor. The Red Mountain overlook shows it from above — looking down into the canyon from the wilderness on its western rim.
Why the view is different
From inside, Snow Canyon is walls and formations seen close up. From the overlook you see the whole system at once: the red and white sandstone, the black lava flows threading through it, the road, and the valley beyond.
It is the view that makes sense of the park — the geology laid out as a single picture rather than a series of encounters.
The approach
The overlook is reached from the Red Mountain Wilderness side, above and west of the park, rather than from within it. That is why most visitors never see it: it is a separate trip, not a stop on the park road.
The walking is across open high desert on a rough, rocky trail with modest but real elevation gain, ending at the rim.
What that means practically
There is no shade and no water. None. This is exposed desert walking from the moment you leave the car.
Navigation needs attention. The route crosses open ground where the path is not always obvious, and cairns are unreliable. Keep track of your line and turn back earlier than feels necessary if you lose it.
The rim has genuine drops. There are no railings. Keep well back from the edge, particularly in wind, and keep children close.
When to go
Sunrise or late afternoon, without qualification. The low sun does the work, and midday flattens the view as well as being uncomfortable.
Autumn through spring is the season. From June into September this walk should be finished before the heat arrives, or not attempted.
Winter is excellent — cold, clear air gives the best visibility of the year.
Practical
- Carry all your water, and more than the distance implies.
- Utah has the highest melanoma rate in the country, and shade on most of this is scarce — sun protection is equipment here, not caution.
- Proper boots. The trail is rocky and uneven throughout.
- Tell someone where you are going. This is quieter country than the park, and you may see nobody.
- Check access and conditions before setting out — wilderness-area routes are less maintained and less signposted than park trails.
Where it fits
This is the outing for someone who has already done the park's short walks and wants something with more effort and more solitude. If you have not yet done the Petrified Dunes, the Lava Tubes or Jenny's Canyon, start there — see the Snow Canyon guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is this inside Snow Canyon State Park?
No — the overlook is reached from the Red Mountain Wilderness side, above and west of the park, rather than from within it. That is precisely why most visitors never see it: it is a separate trip rather than a stop on the park road, and it requires walking across open high desert on a rough, rocky trail with modest but real elevation gain.
What makes the view worth the effort?
Perspective. From inside, Snow Canyon is walls and formations seen close up; from the overlook you see the whole system at once — red and white sandstone, the black lava flows threading through it, the road and the valley beyond. It is the view that makes sense of the park's geology as a single picture rather than a series of separate encounters.
What should I be careful about?
Three things. There is no shade and no water on the entire route, so carry everything and more than the distance implies. Navigation needs attention, since the path is not always obvious across open ground and cairns are unreliable. And the rim has genuine drops with no railings — keep well back, especially in wind, and keep children close.