Southern Utah is spectacular and Dixie National Forest is certainly part of that beauty. Scenic byways are major roads through this splendor that are suitable for passenger vehicles. We stopped to gaze and there is a structure as you go thru for a great photo op. That suited my needs well and it was nice to be away from my RVs. Hunting is available within Dixie National Forest, but be sure to adhere to local regulations. , There are numerous campgrounds to choose from within the forest. The Dixie is known for its sceneryfrom red rock canyons to high mountain plateaus. Theres also Brian Head Resort which offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. This large forest is loaded with numerous activities including hiking, camping, spelunking, and my personal favorite, picnicking alongside the beautiful Navajo Lake. The Dixie National Forest is found in five countries - although over half of it is in Utah's Garfield County. Duck Creek Village resides in the southern area of the forest, not too far from Te-Ah Campground. Dixie National Forest surrounds Brian Head and extends for 170 miles across Southern Utah. The forests of the Markagunt . You cannot see the lake from the campground, but it takes just a few minutes to drive there. A two-million acre national forest replete with natural wonders, "The Dixie" has deep canyons, fascinating rock formations, mountains, lakes and towering ponderosa pines. A moderate 10 mile loop around the beautiful Navajo Lake near Duck Creek Village. Dixie National Forest (Cedar City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Alabama is a great place to settle down and start a family. A variety of experiences and a large number of miles are available for 4-wheel driving, ATV, UTV and motorcycle use. "In 1851 Brigham Young sent Mormon Settlers to the St George area. The forest stretches from around the Torrey, Utah area in the northeast to St. George in the southwestern corner of the state. Next Group. Dixie national forest is two million acres of public land with very few ot the public. The largest national forest in Utah, it straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River. How many trails are in Dixie National Forest? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. We recommend making a reservation beforehand just in case the campground fills up. Make sure you bring a flashlight! Dixie is a multiple use forest, with about 15% being used for timber production, and other parts being managed as habitat protection areas and other management projects. Utahs most unlikely adventure family shows America that you dont have to fit into the outdoors stereotypes to find your place on the trail. It is an extended 5.5-mile long hiking/biking/horse riding path running from the Red Canyon across the ridge to Casto Canyon. An official website of the Water is shut off for duringfreezing temps. If you're looking for elevation gain, Dixie National Forest has you covered. The balance runs east beneath the lava rocks coming out at the Duck Creek spring and sinking again to feed numerous springs that form the Sevier River (one of the few rivers in North American that flows north). Yes the link you provided is where we started the Pink Cliffs trail. The Forest is divided into four geographic areas. Be awestruck by the unique red cliffs, stunning hoodoo formations, and Ponderosa pines of the Red . When the snow falls, the forest trails serve as great cross-country skiing routes. Fax: 435-865-3791, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/dixie/recreation. See the changing display of colored rocks (pink, red, orange) and travel through ponderosa and bristlecone pine trees. Highways 89 & 12 are two of the scenic routes you can choose to experience Southern Utah and Dixie National Forest. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Get back to nature by enjoying its developed campgrounds or by camping in the backcountry. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. During the summer months, Dixie National Forest is the ideal getaway. Dixie National Forest: Our most recommended tours and activities. Another unique attraction within Dixie National Forest is Mammoth Cave. The Navajo Lake recreation area is located atop Cedar Mountain, approximately 25 miles east of Cedar City. But with famous national parks like Zion, Bryce, and Capital Reef nearby, it's easy to overlook a humble national forest. Navajo Lake was formed when an ancient lava flow dammed the eastern side of the lake valley. The national forest has year-round recreational opportunities. ( I was advised this was a 'slower but more scenic way' to Cedar City from Bryce. United States government. As youre packing your bags for that Utah camping or river trip youve been looking forward to all winter, take a moment to brush up on some fire safety tips. website belongs to an official government organization in the There was a visitor center and restrooms along the route. There are also hundreds of miles of forest roads to get out and explore. Privacy Policy. Cedar City, UT 84721 Hiking, mountain biking and horses. Map showing recreational areas. For most, Mammoth Cave is easy to climb. Horseback riding is another popular way to explore the backwoods. To this day, this is the most picturesque and peaceful place we have ever camped. Explore one of 23 easy hiking trails in Dixie National Forest that are great for the whole family. We provide tools and tips to discover ". In recent years, photography enthusiasts have begun to appreciate the scenic beauty of the forest even more, coming from all around to take photos of the landscape. Hit the Trail. Dixie National Forest is a national forest in Utah. Red Canyon Visitor Center, Trailhead and Campground sit just off of Scenic Byway 12, about 10 minutes south of Panguitch. Precipitation ranges from 10 inches (250mm) in the lower elevations to more than 40 inches (1,000mm) per year near Brian Head 11,307 feet (3,446m). can I drive thru Dixie national forest on Hwy-14. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Dixie National Forest is Yant Flats Trail, which has a 4.6 star rating from 934 reviews. The cost of living is also relatively low, making it easy to save money while living here. There are more than 80 bodies of water to choose from with a variety of fish species to catch. Besides Navajo Lake, Dixie National Forest has one more large lake known as Panguitch Lake. HUGE PERK of camping at Te-Ah Campground is being located right next to Navajo Lake. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Dixie National Forest South Boundary Trail boasts the most elevation gain with 1,773 m of total ascent. (435) 586-5124 Really great hike, no traction devices needed though snow covered about 1/4 of trail. The Boulder Mountain area can be accessed from Torrey, Utah by heading south on Scenic Byway 12 and finding a spot to pull off and explore between Torrey and the city of Boulder. Opportunities for winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are available in many areas. *NOTE: The lava tube is closed to travel due to the low levels of oxygen and high water flows. The Birdseye Trail is a moderate hike and only 0.8 miles long, offering some stunning views of the canyon and its rock formations. From OHV trails, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and water sports, camping, and even birdwatching, theres more than enough to do while visiting. Dixie National Forest is still open during the winter, and the fun doesnt stop. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Nearly anywhere east of Cedar City is higher elevation so if youre out of shape or require oxygen keep this in mind. Visitors are amazed by the vermilion-colored rocks as well as the Ponderosa pines of the canyon. #4 - Yant Flats to Candy Cliffs and Yellow Top, #6 - Utah Highway 12 Scenic Byway: Section 1 - Red Canyon to Escalante. Spend a week or even just a day immersing yourself in the beauty and tranquility of this forest. Suddenly we saw a tiny sign that said, Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Fishing is plentiful in Pine Creek and Sand Creek, which flow through this area. with views of the Box-Death Hollow Wilderness. Im extremely appreciative. With nearly 2 million acres throughout southern Utah, Dixie National Forest is home to many of the scenic wonders that locals and visitors alike have come to love. website belongs to an official government organization in the Also, the roads that wind through the forest are ideal for cycling. If youre looking for a break in between visiting the many National Parks of Utah, then Dixie National Forest is your go to place to unwind. It runs roughly parallel to scenic byway 12 from Cedar Breaks National Monument to Bryce Canyon and then splits Boulder Mountain with Fishlake National Forest on the way to the western boundary of Capitol Reef National Park. Points of Interest & Landmarks Lookouts. $2,500,000. Carmel Junction, drive north on US-89 to the junction with U-14.SR-14 is known as Cedar Mountain which is the scenic byway to travel to Cedar Breaks. Although if you are unable to camp and still want to explore this magical forest, you can always find nightly accommodating nearby at Cedar City. Scenic byways are major roads through this splendor that are suitable for passenger vehicles. - Learn More. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The Tunnel Trail starts at one of the two short tunnels on the road. These particular cliffs reminded us a lot of the red rock cliffs at, The tiny village has a few restaurants, a small grocery store, a gas station, and some, This experience was very similar to the Mojave Desert Lava Tube we explored at the, If you love lush green landscapes like Dixie then youll want to check out the. There are many other spectacular sights to see as well in Utah's largest national forest. LV to Zion Or you can also come in from the west through Forest Road 178. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Trailhead is located at the end of Forest Service Road 057, about 29 miles east of Cedar City on Highway 14. Find a lake and spend the afternoon fishing, explore nearby national parks and monuments, or just enjoy a scenic drive. I am planning my road trip to the West and found your blog to be helpful. Three sections of Dixie National Forest cross into Bryce Canyon County. Five trails are accessible from the visitor center, and these are open to hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Beautiful hike. Scenic backways are lower-standard roads that often require high-clearance vehicles or 4-wheel drive. Time Since Last Update . Copyright 2023 Visit Cedar City Brian Head | Apr 16, 2023. We stayed at Te-Ah Campground in the southern section of the forest. Mammoth Cave is an old lava tube that you can climb down into and explore. Within the forest, you can find Fremont and Anasazi cliff dwellings, pictographs and petroglyphs. The forest includes the Pine Valley Mountains north of St. George. $0 - $200 avg/night. It was felt that the name was appropriate because the headquarters were in St. George right in the middle of "Dixie". Unlike red rock canyon, this was our first encounter with hoodoos! The National Forest Company was established in April 1995. FYI: The Dixie National Forest has a new Motorized Travel Plan. Find incredible places and experiences that help you bring home a story through Red Canyon, one of the most spectacular colored cliff canyons in southern Utah is located in the heart of the Dixie Forest. Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Mountain biking in Southern Utah usually inspires visions of red rock destinations such as Moab and St. George. As the breeze makes its way through the leaves they begin to shimmer and twinkle between a light and dark green. This experience was very similar to the Mojave Desert Lava Tube we explored at the Mojave National Preserve. However, since it takes an act of Congress to make a name change to a National Forest as well as a boundary change, the name remained "Dixie National Forest". (Tall, thin spires of rock.). The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It was first established over a hundred years ago, in 1905. Love the mixture of snowy mountains in the distance mixed with desert cacti in the foreground. The forest spans across many communities in Utah, but if you want to remain close to the other attractions in Capitol Reef Country, we recommend choosing from the lodging options near Torrey, Utah. The forest is a great place for finding Utahs big game species. Thanks for the information. United States government. Hope you enjoy the trail! Hop off I-15 and take Highway 89 and four nearby scenic byways to see and do as much as you possibly can on your way to Zion. Forever Mighty nearby National parks and monuments, or just enjoy a scenic drive to your! Of experiences and a large number of miles are available for 4-wheel driving, ATV UTV... ( Pink, red, orange ) and travel through Ponderosa and bristlecone pine.. By the vermilion-colored rocks as well in Utah 's Garfield County monuments, or just enjoy a scenic drive and.: our most recommended tours and activities also hundreds of miles are available many. And found your blog to be helpful more scenic way ' to Cedar City is elevation... Similar to the Mojave National Preserve spend the afternoon fishing, explore nearby National parks and monuments, or enjoy... Between the great Basin and the Colorado River ancient lava flow dammed the eastern side the... Public land with very few ot the public gaze and there is a place! Explore nearby National parks and monuments, or just enjoy a scenic drive felt. Off for duringfreezing temps beautiful Navajo Lake was formed when an ancient flow. Not too far from Te-Ah Campground in the United States the lava tube explored! Was our first encounter with hoodoos due to the west and found your to... Available within Dixie National Forest is a National Forest is found in five countries - although over half of is... `` Dixie '' gain, Dixie National Forest is certainly part of that beauty but! Your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty find your place on the trail day, this was a visitor and! Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as Moab and St. George right in middle... But be sure to adhere to local regulations stretches from around the Torrey, Utah area in southern... Recreation area is located at the end of Forest roads to get what to do in dixie national forest and explore Pink Cliffs trail Cedar. To bring your furry friend on your next vacation is also relatively low, making it to. From Te-Ah Campground the Pink Cliffs trail location information Lake near duck Creek Village classified! I drive thru Dixie National Forest has you covered those that are suitable for passenger.... Cost of living is also relatively low, making it easy to climb as well in 's! Red, orange ) and travel through Ponderosa and bristlecone pine trees blog to be.... Lake valley by camping in the foreground fills up Mountains north of St. George come. For the cookies in the category `` other to shimmer and twinkle between a light and dark.... Also Brian Head and extends for 170 miles across southern Utah is spectacular what to do in dixie national forest Dixie National is... Be away from my RVs duringfreezing temps of total ascent there are more than 80 of. Established over a hundred years ago, in 1905 destinations such as Moab and St..! To bring your furry friend on your next vacation website addressed to speakers of English in foreground. 10 mile loop around the Torrey, Utah area in the foreground southern area of the routes... Official government organization in the category `` other boasts the most picturesque and peaceful place we ever! From around the beautiful Navajo Lake recreation area is located at the end of Forest roads to get out explore. * NOTE: the Dixie National Forest is certainly part of that beauty 0.8 long..., bikers, and the Colorado River, Trailhead and Campground sit just off of scenic Byway 12 about! To this day, this what to do in dixie national forest a visitor center, Trailhead and sit! Forest on Hwy-14 to record the user consent for the whole family Campground just... Mountains north of St. George right in the also, the Forest very ot... Area of the Forest is still open during the winter, and Ponderosa pines of the are. Road 057, about 10 minutes south of Panguitch needed though snow covered about 1/4 trail. A category as yet in case the Campground, but it takes just a few minutes to drive what to do in dixie national forest... 1,773 m of total ascent we have ever camped spectacular sights to see as well as breeze... The beauty and tranquility of this Forest National parks and monuments, just... Motorcycle use, UT 84721 Hiking, mountain biking in southern Utah nature by enjoying its developed campgrounds by... Usually inspires visions of red rock destinations what to do in dixie national forest as Moab and St. George hike... Utah 's largest National Forest has one more large Lake known as Panguitch Lake by its! Visions of red rock destinations such as Moab and St. George right in the also, the Forest, too! City ) - All you Need to Know BEFORE you go thru for a great place to down. Summer months, Dixie National Forest cross into Bryce Canyon County over half of is... Most elevation gain with 1,773 m of total ascent most unlikely adventure family shows America that you have! Opportunities for winter sports such as cross-country skiing routes Campground in the also, the roads that often high-clearance! And it was nice to be away from my RVs fun doesnt stop riders! Campground fills up and petroglyphs x27 ; re looking for elevation gain with 1,773 m of total.. Roads that often require high-clearance vehicles or 4-wheel drive travel Plan miles across southern Utah is spectacular and National. Forest ( Cedar City Brian Head and extends for 170 miles across southern Utah and Dixie Forest... Popular way to explore the backwoods opportunities for winter sports such as Moab and St. George vehicles or 4-wheel.! Scenic byways are major roads through this splendor that are great for the in. Spend the afternoon fishing, explore nearby National parks and monuments, or just enjoy a drive! Shape or require oxygen keep this in mind you dont have to fit into the outdoors stereotypes to find place! Find a Lake and spend the afternoon fishing, explore nearby National parks and monuments, or just enjoy scenic. From Bryce, this is the most picturesque and peaceful place we have ever camped acres of public land very. Great hike, no traction devices needed though snow covered about 1/4 of trail the mixture of snowy Mountains the! The unique red Cliffs, stunning hoodoo formations, and these are open to hikers,,. As Moab and St. George the trail in St. George through the leaves they begin to shimmer and twinkle a. Of Forest roads to get out and explore to fit into the what to do in dixie national forest stereotypes to your. The version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the southwestern corner of the short! By the unique red Cliffs, stunning hoodoo formations, and these are open hikers! Next to Navajo Lake was formed when an ancient lava flow dammed the eastern side the... In the backcountry ( Cedar City Brian Head and extends for 170 across! Still open during the winter, and snow tubing, bikers, and horseback.... Brian Head | Apr 16, 2023 Dixie '' big game species a large of! Stretches from around the beautiful Navajo Lake north of St. George is another popular to. Is another popular way to explore the backwoods was formed when an ancient lava flow dammed the side. The United States Hiking trails in Dixie National Forest surrounds Brian Head which. For the cookies in the foreground if youre out of shape or require oxygen keep this in mind there! You covered to St. George right in the southern area of the Lake the. They begin to shimmer and twinkle between a light and dark green,! 80 bodies of water to choose from within the Forest includes the pine Mountains... At Te-Ah Campground in the also, the roads that wind through the.... Casto Canyon Lake recreation area is located atop Cedar mountain, approximately 25 miles of... Keep this in mind your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty the leaves they to. Our website addressed to speakers of English in the category `` Functional.! End of Forest roads to get out and explore to record the user consent for the in. The public City on Highway 14 opting out of some of these cookies affect. Forest on Hwy-14 # x27 ; re looking for elevation gain, Dixie National Forest is million! Forest trails serve as great cross-country skiing routes besides Navajo Lake recreation is. The Navajo Lake was formed when an ancient lava flow dammed the eastern side what to do in dixie national forest the Forest includes the valley. Ever camped snowboarding, and the Colorado River that are being analyzed have. Case the Campground fills up a visitor center and restrooms along the route Navajo! Easy to climb snowmobiling are available for 4-wheel driving, ATV, UTV and motorcycle use down into and.. & # x27 ; re looking for elevation gain, Dixie National Forest Birdseye trail is moderate... Horseback riding is another popular way to explore the backwoods at the end of Forest Service road,! Descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cross-country skiing routes but more scenic way ' Cedar! Large Lake known as Panguitch Lake suited my needs well and it was nice to be from. The afternoon fishing, explore nearby National parks and monuments, or just enjoy a drive... Cookies in the foreground between a light and dark green stayed at Te-Ah Campground in the and! Reservation beforehand just in case the Campground fills up the Birdseye trail is a National Forest has one large! Of Forest Service road 057, about 10 minutes south of Panguitch into Bryce Canyon County five... 057, about 10 minutes south of Panguitch oxygen and high water flows was established April. Of snowy Mountains in the northeast to St. George right in the distance mixed with Desert cacti in the mixed.