Johnson Arch | Snow Canyon

Hiking Johnson Arch - Snow Canyon Hiking Johnson Arch

Snow Canyon

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy hiking.
MAPS: Santa Clara, UT;

Tue

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Southeast wind around 3 mph.

64 | 46

Wed

Rain likely before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then rain between 2pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

59 | 48

Thu

Rain before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

58 | 50

Fri

Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.

55 | 45

Sat

A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.

52 | 38

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, hot in the summer
WATER: None, bring all you will need.

Tue

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 64. Southeast wind around 3 mph.

64 | 46

Wed

Rain likely before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 2pm, then rain between 2pm and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 59. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

59 | 48

Thu

Rain before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.

58 | 50

Fri

Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.

55 | 45

Sat

A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 52.

52 | 38

View Full Weather Details
Smiley face in the sand on the way.

Smiley face in the sand on the way.

Johnson Arch is one of the more popular hikes in Snow Canyon State Park. This short 1.8 mile round-trip hike visits Johnson Arch, which has an impressive 200ft span. Most continue up a short distance to the end of Arch Canyon and hang out in the shade before the return trip. This is a very good, family friendly hike that should be accessible to most, with the end of Arch Canyon making a great picnic spot. A spring near the arch helps keep the canyon a little cooler, but avoid this hike in the heat of the day during summer months.

The trailhead is just before the park pay booth and will be full on most weekends, overflow is along the road.

Arch Canyon Dryfall

Arch Canyon Dryfall

Getting There

Take Exit 6 (Bluff Street at Saint George) from I-15 toward Bluff Street (this is route 18)

3.2 miles, go left onto Snow Canyon Parkway

Follow this road, staying straight at the first round-about until the second round-about at 3.9 miles. Go right here, onto Snow Canyon Drive and follow it 0.8 miles to a trailhead (parking area on the left). This is shortly BEFORE the pay booth to go into Snow Canyon State Park.

Hard to capture Johnson Arch

Hard to capture Johnson Arch

Route

From the parking area, cross the road and follow the well traveled and wide trail. It crosses the basalt rubble plain before reaching the base of the cliffs, circling around, and entering Johnson Canyon. Once in the canyon proper, a spring and water pipe are on the right, before the trail reach Johnson Arch at a log fence on the right.

The arch, though an impressive 200' span, is somewhat hard to photograph as it blends into the cliffs surrounding it. Up canyon 5 more minutes is the 200' dryfall that marks the end of Arch Canyon, and the end of the hike. Kids will love to play in the sand here, and there are many opportunities to hang out in the shade.

Return the same way.


Photos

Maps

Route / 1.72 miles / Elevation Range 3,094 - 3,165 ft.
Printable Maps:

Trailhead

12S 265184E 4117906N

37°10'41"N 113°38'42"W
Arch View

12S 266090E 4118084N

37°10'48"N 113°38'06"W
End

12S 266104E 4118272N

37°10'54"N 113°38'05"W

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