Red Mountain Trail

The Red Mountain Trail leaves a large, signed trailhead off SR-18 above Dammeron Valley and climbs onto a broad sandstone mesa that forms the northern rim of Snow Canyon. At roughly 4,500 feet elevation, the trailhead sits noticeably higher than most St. George hikes, which translates to cooler starts, more expansive views, and a desert plant community that feels distinct from the red-rock floors below.

The First Section: Two-Track to the Overlooks

The first mile and a half follows an old two-track route along a fenced corridor, which is the most straightforward section of the hike. The terrain is rocky, and the footing demands attention, but navigation is simple.

At roughly 1.8 miles, the trail reaches a junction where a sign (or a large cairn, depending on conditions) marks a 0.5-mile spur trail leading directly to the Snow Canyon Overlook. That spur is worth every step. The overlook drops straight down into the canyon interior, with views sweeping across red and white Navajo sandstone, the black lava flows of the canyon floor, and the Pine Valley Mountains rising to the east. You see Snow Canyon from an angle that visitors on the canyon floor never will.

The West Canyon Overlook sits another 0.7 miles past the Snow Canyon junction, adding up to a 5-mile round trip. Most day hikers treat these two overlooks as the turnaround point. The combination makes for a satisfying half-day outing, moderate in difficulty, with about 400 feet of cumulative gain and a mix of rocky two-track and sandy stretches.

Beyond the Overlooks: Backcountry Route

Beyond the overlooks, the character of the hike shifts fundamentally. The old two-track continues south for about six miles before it fades into nothing. Trail signs disappear after the Snow Canyon Overlook junction.

The route eventually passes through the white-rocks area, a striking stretch of pale sandstone and Ponderosa pines that is completely off-trail and requires route-finding across unmarked terrain. Small potholes and water pockets form in the sandstone after rain, and the views along the rim of Snow Canyon extend for miles. Reaching this section and continuing south to Red Mountain itself is a full-day backcountry undertaking.

The Full Traverse

The complete one-way traverse runs approximately 9.5 miles from the Dammeron Valley trailhead to the Ivins trailhead at the southern end. The final descent, whether via the Red Mountain Face route above Ivins or via the Gunsight route off Tuacahn Drive, drops roughly 1,500 feet in the last quarter-mile over steep, rocky terrain with no trail markings until the base.

Both descents are extremely strenuous and require solid route-finding skills. Search and rescue operations have occurred regularly on this section of trail. Any plan to complete the full traverse requires a shuttle vehicle at the Ivins or Gunsight trailhead.

Trailhead Basics

The trailhead accommodates a large number of vehicles and horse trailers, and the trail is multi-use (horses allowed throughout, bikes not permitted in the wilderness area). A porta-potty is on site.

No water is available at the trailhead or anywhere on the trail. Carry everything you need and plan around the exposure: this is a full-sun route with minimal shade outside the pinyon-juniper stretches.

Which Route Is Right for You?

For most visitors, the 4.8-mile round trip to the West Canyon Overlook and back is the right call. For hikers with strong backcountry skills and a shuttle in place, the full traverse is one of the more remote and rewarding routes in the St. George area.