Butterfly Trail
The Butterfly Trail begins at the Petrified Dunes Trailhead and winds across exposed Navajo sandstone before descending a steep natural staircase along the west side of the dunes. The route continues past scrub oak, basalt lava flows, and a dry creek bed before meeting the Lava Flow Trail.
Trail Details
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Round Trip Length: 2 miles
Trail Photos
More About Butterfly Trail
The trail is named for a split sandstone slab that resembles a butterfly with its wings spread. Along the route, hikers experience some of Snow Canyon’s most striking contrasts: pale slickrock, dark basalt, red sand, and pockets of desert vegetation.
Steep slopes, stone steps, and uneven surfaces make sturdy footwear important. Butterfly is frequently combined with the Lava Flow Trail and Snow Canyon Drive to create a longer loop. Dogs must be leashed, and hikers should stay on the marked trail to protect fragile desert soils.
You can see Butterfly Trail on our Snow Canyon map.
