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Whiterocks Amphitheater Hiking Guide

Snow Canyon from Whiterocks Amphitheater

Contents

Overview

Whiterocks Amphitheater is a short hike in Snow Canyon State Park that takes you to a natural amphitheater formed by white Navajo Sandstone. It also features a white sand hill that kids love to play on.

As an added bonus, it has plenty of petrified dunes to scramble to the top of, with rewarding views of Snow Canyon.

From the Whiterocks Trailhead, it’s only a 1/2 mile hike to the amphitheater with minimal elevation gain. Until the trail reaches the slickrock, it is quite sandy.

Whiterocks Amphitheater
Whiterocks Amphitheater. April 2019

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 1 mile out and back
  • Hike Time: 1 hour
  • Elevation Gain/Loss: 125 feet
  • Fee: $10 per vehicle
  • Dogs: No
  • Difficulty: Easy

Description

From the parking lot, walk westward on the well-marked Whiterocks Trail for 0.2 miles until you reach the junction with Lava Flow Trail. Bear right here, then continue another 0.2 miles to Whiterocks Amphitheater.

The trail is sandy for the first 0.3 miles, then changes to an undefined route atop slick rock at the bottom of a ravine. Continue past a few shallow pools until you see the white sand hill on your right. Here, you have the option to continue up the checkerboard sandstone in search of views.

If you’re looking for a longer hike, consider starting from Lava Flow Overlook Trailhead. From here, bear right at the junction with White Rocks Trail, then left at the next junction. This out and back is about 4 miles.

Dramatic sunset at Whiterocks Amphitheater
A dramatic sunset at Whiterocks Amphitheater. April 2019

Location

From St. George, drive north on Bluff Street until it turns into Highway 18. From the intersection of Bluff Street and St. George Boulevard it’s 9.7 miles to the parking lot.

Get Directions

Map

Whiterocks Amphitheater Map

Resources

Links

Photos

Pine Valley Mountains from Whiterocks Amphitheater
Looking northeast toward the Pine Valley Mountains. April 2019
Last light above Snow Canyon
A magical sunset above Snow Canyon. April 2019
Last light above Snow Canyon
The cliffs above Whiterocks Amphitheater provide phenomenal views of Snow Canyon

More Great Hikes Near St. George


Want to hike Utah’s best trails? Check out our other Utah Hiking Guides.

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