The Butterfly Trail is a great connector trail in Snow Canyon State Park. It is perfect for a family hike, because it isn’t too long or difficult, but gives an overview of many of the different formations in the park.

Snow Canyon can get very hot. Be sure to bring plenty of water, even when it isn’t summer. The trail begins at the Petrified Sand Dunes parking. The trails are combined for the first tiny part. Then the Petrified Dunes trail heads off to the left and the Butterfly Trail to the right.

The Butterfly Trail does have a few petrified dunes, along with fine sand and a few small trees.

The trail isn’t steep, but it does have a small amount of variation.

This trail connects to the Lava Tube Trail. You can get to several lava tubes in a short time if you want to just add that to the end of the trail. Click here to get more details on the Lava Tube Trail.

You can also make this a portion of a longer loop around the park. Here is a map of Snow Canyon. One trail that isn’t shown below, but is worth checking out when in the area is the Snow Canyon Petroglyph Trail.

Stats: Distance – 1.1 miles round trip (1.5 round trip if adding some lava tubes)
Approximate biking time – 30-90 minutes
Elevation gain – 13 feet
Difficulty – Easy
Trail – dirt and rocks
Bathrooms – None
Seasons to hike – Year Round
Permits needed – $15/car for ($10/car for Utah residents) or state parks pass
Pets allowed – No

Map to trailhead