Jenny's Canyon

Alex Cabrero
Nov 17, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Narrow canyon with red rock walls and a sandy floor. Sunlight casts warm hues, creating a dramatic, ancient, and rugged atmosphere. — *The entrance to Jenny's Canyon*

(Snow Canyon State Park, St. George) Some hikes don’t look like much from the trailhead parking lot. Jenny’s Canyon is definitely one of them. But since this hike had the word "canyon" in its name has to be pretty cool, right?

Sign reads "JENNY'S CANYON" with hiking and parking symbols. Red rock cliffs and desert shrubs under a clear blue sky in the background. — *The trail sign as you leave the parking lot and go toward the red rock wall*

Aspen and I hiked the Jenny’s Canyon Trail when we were in St. George and wanted a quick adventure. This trail is inside Snow Canyon State Park. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect because from the trailhead parking lot, you can’t really see much of anything hinting at a canyon except for the trail sign. Man, was I surprised.

Sandy surface with various shoe prints in diverse patterns. The texture is rich, set in warm sunlight, creating an intricate, lively scene. — *Plenty of sand as you start hiking the trail*

You start by walking through sand toward a tall red rock wall. The sand isn't deep at all. There are also some of those black volcanic rocks mixed in along the way. Easy. As I got closer to the rock wall after just a few minutes, I started thinking there was no way a canyon was back here somewhere. But right when you get to the rock wall, that’s when the trail finally gives something up. Tucked off to the left is the entrance to Jenny’s Canyon. It's a narrow slot canyon that stays hidden until you’re practically standing at the mouth of it.

Narrow red rock canyon with textured walls and a sandy floor. Warm sunlight highlights the rugged surfaces, creating an adventurous mood. — *Jenny's Canyon*

There’s a small signpost at the rock wall where the trail splits and you can't go straight anymore. It says Jenny’s Canyon to the left and Jenny’s Canyon Overlook to the right. We turned left first, because of course we did.

Trail sign in a desert landscape; arrows point to "Jenny's Canyon" and "Jenny's Overlook." Text: "Please stay on trail." Earthy tones. — *The signpost at the junction of the trail*

We entered the slot canyon just as the sun was setting into the "golden hour." The timing couldn’t have been better. Soft light bounced off the red rock walls, glowing in a way that made everything feel warmer and quieter. It was one of those moments where you pause, look around, and think of how lucky you are to experience this.

Narrow rocky canyon with tall, textured red and brown walls. Sunlight peeks through the top, casting a warm glow on the path below. — *This vertical photo gives a good sense of distance from the canyon floor to the top*

The slot canyon itself is short. Really short. The end comes quickly, marked by another rock wall where there is no way to continue. Aspen walked to the end, stopped, and gave me a look that clearly said, “That’s it?” I had the same thought... just with fewer treats on my mind. Puppy Aspen looked like she deserved a reward for making it all the way to the end.

Black dog standing in a rocky canyon with red and brown walls. The setting feels serene, with natural light highlighting rugged textures. — *Aspen reaching the end of the slot canyon*

We had the canyon to ourselves for a little bit, so I let Aspen off leash to sniff around on her own. When a few other hikers showed up, I leashed her back up. They were kind enough to say they were dog people, and Aspen makes friends easily, but in the spirit of the trail rules and good manners, I felt it was important to leash her.

People walking through a narrow canyon, with towering dark rock walls, light highlights the path ahead, evoking a sense of adventure. — *Hiking back out when other hikers showed up*

After walking back out of the canyon, Aspen and I headed up to the overlook. It’s a short uphill hike that is quick, easy, and worth it. From the top, you get a great view back toward the trailhead and across the red rock walls that make Snow Canyon such a special place.

Red rock mountains and green shrubs under a clear blue sky. A line of cars is visible in the distance, natural desert landscape. — *You can see the parking lot from the top of Jenny's Canyon overlook*

The overlook also gives you a great view of the entrance to Jenny's Canyon. Seeing the slot canyon from up here, it made sense why I couldn't see it from the trailhead. The canyon really is hidden until you get right up to it.

Red rock canyon under blue sky, with green shrubs at the base. Tall, rugged cliffs dominate the scene, showcasing natural beauty. — *The view of the entrance (to the right) of Jenny's Canyon from the overlook*

We stayed up there for a little bit, just taking it all in. Aspen seemed content doing the same. We spent less than an hour total on this little adventure, but it didn’t feel rushed or forgettable. It felt like a complete little adventure. It wasn't a long hike and it didn't require much effort. It was just a hidden slot canyon with warm light on red rock walls and a very happy dog. Sometimes, that's all you need.

Smiling man in a red plaid shirt and a black dog pose in a canyon with reddish-brown walls, creating a joyful and adventurous vibe. — *Aspen and I at Jenny's Canyon*

After getting back from our adventure, I started thinking about the name. The "canyon" part of Jenny's Canyon was obvious. But what about "Jenny?"I did some research and it's a sad story. The canyon is named in memory of Jennifer Denise Patchett. She was 17 years old when she fell from some of the cliffs in Snow Canyon State Park in 1994 and died. It doesn't say exactly where she fell, but there is a memorial plaque along this trail that mentions how Jenny was "inspired by the beauty and the feeling of freedom she experienced in Snow Canyon." I didn't see the plaque on my visit, so I'll have to go back and look for it. Knowing her story adds a quiet weight to the place and a reminder that these beautiful landscapes deserve both admiration and respect.

Narrow rocky canyon with towering reddish-brown walls, textured with layers and crevices. Sunlight highlights stone details, creating a warm ambiance. — *Hiking in Jenny's Canyon*

If you want to go to Jenny's Canyon, I would recommend visiting in the late afternoon when "Golden Hour" is just beginning. The light bouncing off the red rock walls inside the slot canyon is worth planning for. I didn't bring water since I visited in November, but in the summer, this area gets really hot, and you'll definitely want water for both you and your pup. And don't skip the overlook. You won't regret it.

Red rock formations under a clear blue sky with a sandy path and green shrubs in the foreground, creating a serene desert scene. — *The sandy trail to Jenny's Canyon*

LOCATION: Google Maps link Jenny's Canyon is within Snow Canyon State Park, which requires a pass to enter.

Red rock canyon with rugged, textured walls and a sliver of blue sky visible above. The setting feels vast and serene. — *Looking up from inside Jenny's Canyon*

Red sandstone cliffs with intricate erosion patterns, bathed in warm sunlight. No visible text or people. Desert-like, serene setting. — *The top of the overlook where you can't go any further*

Man in a red plaid shirt smiling in a red rock canyon with green shrubs. Sunlit cliffs in the background create a warm, adventurous mood. — *Selfie at the overlook with a view of Jenny's Canyon*

Narrow sandstone canyon with textured red walls, opening to a sunlit area with a tree. Clear blue sky visible above. Calm, natural setting. — *Looking at the entrance to Jenny's Canyon from the inside*

A narrow sky view through dark canyon walls with sunlight illuminating orange rock formations creates a dramatic contrast. — *The narrow slot canyon opening above*

Rocky desert landscape with black rocks, red sand, and sparse vegetation against red canyon walls under a clear blue sky. Quiet, arid setting. — *Some of the volcanic rock on the hike to the canyon*

People hiking in a narrow red rock canyon. Some are climbing the rock walls. The mood is adventurous, with sunlight casting shadows. — *Kids climbing on the rock walls*

Man in red plaid shirt smiles as black dog with pink collar licks his face. They're outdoors with red rocks and blue sky in the background. — *I like to think this is Aspen saying "thank you" for taking her on this little adventure*

Jenny's Canyon

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