The species is native to the south-western United States and northern Mexico.

[1][2] The specific name, merriami, is in honor of American zoologist Clinton Hart Merriam.

[2] Adults of S. merriami may reach 58 mm (2.2 in) snout-to-vent length (SVL).

Including the tail, they may reach 162 mm (6.4 in) in total length.

[5] Dorsally, the canyon lizard is gray, tan, or reddish-brown, matching the rocks on which it lives.