Easy–Moderate · Half-day
Snow Canyon State Park
Petrified Dunes, lava tubes, and Jenny's Canyon slot. The recovery day from Zion crowds.
Family & Easy Wins
Anasazi Ridge Petroglyphs (Santa Clara)
Hundreds of Virgin Anasazi petroglyphs on a basalt-boulder hill — an archaeological gem with no fees, no signs, mostly empty.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From the lodge
- ~45 min
- Type
- Rock art hike
Anasazi Ridge in Santa Clara is one of the largest petroglyph concentrations in southern Utah, and almost nobody visits it. Hundreds of Virgin Anasazi rock-art panels carved into basalt boulders on a low hillside — figures, spirals, hunting scenes, calendar markings, dating from roughly 800-1200 CE.
The hike is 1.5 miles round-trip, easy, no marked trail per se but the path is well-trodden. The petroglyphs are scattered across maybe 15-20 boulders; you can spend an hour or three depending on how thoroughly you want to look.
**Critical: don't touch the petroglyphs.** Skin oils accelerate the rock art's deterioration faster than any natural process. Don't outline with chalk for photos. Don't climb on the boulders. The site is unfenced, unstaffed, and protected only by visitors who treat it with respect.
Before you go
- DO NOT touch the petroglyphs — skin oils degrade the rock art
- Do not outline with chalk or any other material
- Pack out everything you pack in
- Site is unfenced and unstaffed — preservation depends on visitors
Pair it with
← Back to all experiences 
Moderate · 2–3 hours
Smith Mesa Scenic Drive
Helicopter-tour views into Kolob Terrace and West Zion. A locals' secret. High-clearance.
Easy · 1.5 hr free guided tour
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
America's largest no-kill sanctuary — 1,600 animals on 5,800 acres. Free daily tours; Sleepover program for guests bringing dogs.
Ready for your anasazi ridge petroglyphs (santa clara) day?
Book your cabin and discover the area at your own pace. The trails start at the door.