Snow Canyon SUP

Snow Canyon State Park Special Use Permit Application

Guided Vehicle & Hiking Tours

1. COMPANY INFORMATION

Company Name: Snow Canyon Tours Legal Business Name: Snow Canyon Adventures, LLC Address: 1098 Mesa Vista Dr., Ivins, UT 84738 Phone: 435-414-1665 Email: info@snowcanyon.com Website: www.snowcanyon.com Date Established: April 15, 2021 Owner(s): Timothy Bryan, Shelley Bryan Permittee Name: Timothy Bryan

2. PURPOSE AND NEED

Snow Canyon Tours provides guided vehicle transportation and hiking excursions into Snow Canyon State Park. This service addresses several needs:

  • Alleviates parking congestion at popular trailheads by transporting groups of up to 12 guests in a single tour vehicle, reducing the number of individual vehicles entering the park
  • Enhances visitor experience by providing guided interpretation of the park's natural and cultural resources
  • Promotes park objectives by offering educational, low-impact outdoor experiences that foster appreciation for the Mojave Desert environment and threatened tortoise habitat

3. PARAMETERS OF ACTIVITIES

Services Offered

  • Guided vehicle transportation from nearby resorts into the park
  • Guided hiking excursions from trailheads
  • Short canyon exploration tours

Locations/Trails

  • Snow Canyon State Park trails (specific trails TBD with park approval)
  • Pickup/drop-off at trailheads within the park

Group Size

  • Minimum: 1 guest
  • Maximum: 12 guests per trip
  • Staff-to-client ratio: 1 guide per 12 guests

Frequency

  • Daily operations, year-round (weather permitting)
  • AM and PM departures
  • Multiple groups per day as demand warrants

Equipment Provided

  • Tour vehicles (fleet of 4-5)
  • Hiking safety gear (first aid kits, emergency communication devices)
  • Water/snack provisions for guests

Transportation

  • Licensed tour vehicles
  • Method: Ground transportation via company fleet

Fees

  • Tour Fee: $129 per person (3-hour tour)
  • Estimated annual gross receipts: $100,000 (Year 1), with 20% annual growth target

Primary Destination

  • Snow Canyon State Park is the primary/exclusive destination for this operation

4. COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

Leave No Trace & Tread Lightly Principles

  • All guides trained in Leave No Trace principles
  • Guests briefed on responsible outdoor behavior before each trip
  • Strict policy:pack in, pack out" \u2014 no littering, no leaving anything behind
  • Stay on designated trails only
  • Proper disposal of all waste

Endangered Species Act Compliance

  • Operating outside of tortoise nesting seasons where applicable
  • Guides educated on tortoise habitat identification
  • No off-trail travel in sensitive areas
  • Seasonal closures observed as required by park

Park Laws

  • All operations within designated areas
  • Compliance with all Utah State Park regulations

5. HEALTH & SANITATION MEASURES

First Aid & Safety Equipment

  • First aid kits carried in all vehicles and by guides on hikes
  • First aid trained guides (CPR/First Aid certified)
  • Emergency communication: Cell phones, satellite communicator for remote areas
  • Basic safety gear for all participants

Emergency Plan

  • Established evacuation procedures for medical emergencies
  • Emergency contact numbers for park rangers
  • Nearest medical facilities identified (St. George area)
  • All guides trained in emergency response protocols

Environmental Hazards

  • Guides trained to identify: flash flood areas, rock fall zones, venomous species (rattlesnakes), extreme heat hazards
  • Weather monitoring before each trip
  • Trips canceled or modified for unsafe conditions

Waste Management

  • All trash carried out \u2014 no disposal in park
  • Restroom stops at designated facilities only
  • Leave No Trace compliance for human waste (pack-out systems if needed)

6. EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Guide Qualifications

  • CPR/First Aid certified (Red Cross or equivalent)
  • Knowledgeable about local flora, fauna, geology, and history
  • Understanding of park regulations, ESA requirements, and archaeological site protection
  • Leave No Trace trained (or commitment to complete training)

Guide Roster

Name Role
Timothy Bryan Lead Guide
Shelley Bryan Guide
Jessica Christie Guide
Timothy D. Brian Guide
Megan Hatch Guide

Other Permits

  • Navajo Nation Tour Permit \u2014 Held for 10 years with no violations or issues

Permit History

  • Never denied a permit
  • Never had a permit revoked

7. FEES & INSURANCE

Permit Fees (Estimated)

  • Annual filing fee: $350-$600 (based on frequency of use)
  • Per-person day use fee: $4.00/visit (billed monthly or quarterly)

Insurance

  • Commercial liability insurance for each vehicle
  • Commercial liability insurance: $1,000,000 per vehicle

8. DESIGNATED ZONES/AREAS

[To be determined with park approval \u2014 will specify trailheads and routes]

9. SEASONAL CLOSURES

[To be added based on park-established seasonal closures and tortoise habitat closures]

CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Phone: 435-414-1665
  • Email: info@snowcanyon.com
  • Address: 1098 Mesa Vista Dr., Ivins, UT 84738

NOTES

  • This permit is for guided vehicle and hiking tours only \u2014 NOT e-bike rentals
  • E-bike rental operations are covered under a separate permit/arrangement

Prepared by: Erastus (AI Assistant) for Snow Canyon Tours Date: 2026-02-18 Status: ROUGH DRAFT \u2014 Pending review

COMPLETED SECTIONS: - Company info (partial \u2014 need legal business name & established date) - Purpose & need - Activity parameters (partial \u2014 need client fees & gross receipts) - Environmental compliance - Health & safety - Guide roster - Permit history - Contact info

STILL NEEDED: - Insurance coverage amounts