 | Dixie Visitor Guide |

i x i e Nat i on a l For e s t
VISITOR
GUIDE
A Contrast in Color, Climate, & Culture
Pine Valley Reser
voir
yon
Red Can
A
place of diversity, the Dixie National Forest straddles
the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado
River in southern Utah. Scenery ranges from desert
canyon gorges of amber, rose, and sienna to high
mountain forests, plateaus, and alpine lakes.
Fast Forest Facts
Elevation Range: 3,000’–11,000’
Acres: Nearly 2 million
The Name: Southwest Utah was called
Utah’s Dixie by early settlers from the
southern states sent to the desert to
grow cotton and silk; the forest was
named after the area.
Temperature Range: From mountain
lows of -30 degrees to valley highs of
over 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
T
What’s Inside
History .................................. 2
Scenic Byways,
Backways, & Drives ............. 3
Special Places ..................... 4
Our Natural Resources ........ 6
Map ....................................... 8
Campgrounds &
Guard Station Rentals ....... 10
Trails .................................... 11
Activities .............................. 12
Know Before You Go............ 14
Contact Information ............ 16
he Dixie National
Forest is characterized by
contrast. As a part of the
world-renowned landscapes
of Southern Utah, the forest
provides a backdrop and serves as a gateway to
surrounding National Parks and Monuments.
Nationally recognized highways and trails
course through the forest and provide
ready access to the distinctive natural
highlights of the forest landscape.
Come see for yourself!
Sego Lily
This Visitor Guide provides the information you can
use to plan your trip to the Dixie National Forest.
G
et to Know Us
inhabited by the Paleo-Indian Culture who hunted woolly
mammoths and megafauna. This culture was followed
by another hunter-gatherer group known as the Archaic
Culture. They also lived seasonally in the high country
and followed game to lower elevations in winter.
B.C.
ca 2,000
ir
c
,
h
p
a
Pictogr
ictographs, petroglyphs,
P
dwellings, and artifacts—all indicate
the presence in the area of
horticultural cultures. Identified
as the Fremont and Anasazi
(Ancestral
Puebloean), they
occupied the
Dixie National
Forest area
from 5001275 AD. They
were farmers,
planting corn,
beans, and
squash near
water sources.
North Creek granary
These cultures used the high country
for hunting and gathering of rock, medicinal plants, and
other resources. Their stone granaries—still visible tucked
into the sandstone cliffs—kept their stores safe from
animals.
By the early 1300s, groups
Ute family,
circa 1860-1
88
(courtesy of
firstpeople.c 0
om)
known as the Paiutes and Utes
moved here from the west,
living much the same as their
predecessors. These were the
people who were here when
the first Europeans explored
the area. In 1776, led by
Fathers Dominquez and
Escalante, a new route was
pioneered known as the Old
Spanish Trail. By the mid
1800s trappers, traders, gold
hunters, slave traders, and
immigrants traveled this road regularly.
Today it parallels much of Interstate 15.
orested lands in
F
Southern Utah are vital
to the surrounding
communities. This point
was not lost on President
Theodore Roosevelt who
reserved 20 million acres
of the forest during his first term
in office and 80 million during his
second. While the forest reserves
were originally set aside to provide
favorable conditions for water flow
to the valleys and a continuous
supply of timber, additional lands
were added to the reserves
in response to concerns
The conservation mission of the
from local communities
Forest Service was best stated by
about overgrazing and
its first Chief, Gifford Pinchot (1905water quality. In the 1930s, 1910): “To provide the greatest good
for the greatest number of people for
three different reserves
the long run.”
were combined to form
the Dixie National Forest.
uring the
D
Great Depression
of the 1930s,
the national
forest served
as a work area
for the Civilian
CCC building a restroom on Brian Head
Conservation
Peak, circa 1935
Corps (CCC),
providing young men with jobs building roads, guard
stations, and recreation sites. There are still several
facilities on the forest that show off the craftmanship
of “The Boys.”
oday, people value the Dixie National Forest not only
T
for its resources (minerals, timber, water, and forage)
but also for its opportunities for
camping, fishing, hiking, and wildlife
viewing. The Dixie National Forest
is located in the “Grand Circle” with
several famous neighbors, including
Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef
National Parks, and Cedar Breaks and
the Grand Staircase-Escalante National
Monuments. The dramatic elevation
differences mean you can pick the
weather you want to recreate in!
Virgin River Rim
2
The vast resources of the Dixie National Forest belong to all Americans. These resources must rely on the
stewardship of us all if they are to be sustained for our future generations.
Gifford Pinchot
What is now the Dixie National Forest was once
Walter Hanks, an early Ranger
History
Scenic Byways, Backways, & Drives
The Dixie National Forest is known for its scenery—from red rock canyons to high mountain plateaus. Scenic byways are
major roads through this splendor that are suitable for passenger vehicles. Scenic backways are lower-standard roads that
often require high-clearance vehicles or 4-wheel drive. Always check road conditions before you venture out.
Highway 12 All American Road
Along Highway 12, a 124-mile All
Red Canyon Visitor Center
American Road, you will pass more than
enough scenery to fill up your camera.
Leaving Utah
Heritage Highway 89
seven miles south of
Panguitch, go east into
Red Canyon where
you’ll encounter a
dramatic landscape
of sandstone hoodoos.
Continue up to the
Paunsaugunt Plateau
and the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. East
of the plateau you’ll drive through the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument, past three State Parks, and
numerous scenic viewpoints into Capitol Reef, Boulder
Top, the Henry Mountains, Circle Cliffs, and Navajo
Mountain. The byway ends in Torrey at Highway 24.
Areas of interest include Kodachrome Basin State Park,
Escalante Petrified Forest and Campground, the Hole in
the Rock Road, Calf Creek Falls Trail and Campground,
and Anasazi State Park. Highway 12 is an ideal location
for viewing fall colors, and on a clear day you can see
more that 100 miles into Colorado and Arizona.
A good place to start your explorations is at the Red
Canyon Visitor Center, located on the western end of
the byway, 3 miles east of the Highway 89 junction. It is
usually open from Easter to the end of October.
Utah’s Scenic Byway
143, the Patchwork
Parkway
Utah’s 55-mile Patchwork
Parkway garnered its name
from an incident in the
1890s when settlers from
Panguitch, desperate for food, crossed a valley to the
north in winter using handmade quilts laid atop deep
snow. They reached Parowan and brought food back to
save the people of Panguitch.
The area is a patchwork of unparalleled scenery and
vibrant history. It serves as the gateway to Cedar Breaks
National Monument and is a fascinating route across
southwest Utah’s high plateaus, connecting Heritage
Highway 89 and All-American Scenic Highway 12.
Travelers can start their byway trek from Parowan or
Panguitch, historic Mormon pioneer settlements that still
boast a large concentration of 19th century architecture.
The original Panguitch townsite is listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. These two townsites were
previously home to American Indian groups who left
behind a number of sites to explore.
This landscape is home to Brian Head, Utah’s highest
elevation community and southernmost ski area.
Scenic Backways and Drives (dirt/gravel roads)
»»
East Fork of the Sevier River Scenic Backway (17 miles; closed in the
winter): Starting at Highway 12, the backway (FR 87) travels along the
interior of the Paunsaugunt Plateau, past Tropic Reservoir and Kings
Creek Campground.
»»
Griffin Top Scenic Backway (32 miles; closed in winter): The road leaves
CR 1660 and FR 17, then climbs to the Escalante Summit. It then turns
north on FR 140 and travels across the Griffin Top part of the Aquarius
Plateau, ending at FR 154 north of Posey Lake.
»»
Posey Lake Scenic Backway (40 miles; closed in winter): This backway
begins in Escalante FR 153-FR 154, and
ends on Highway 24 in Bicknell.
»»
Hell’s Backbone Road (44 miles; closed
in winter; high-clearance vehicles
recommended): FR 153 from Escalante
makes a loop to Highway 12. Hell’s
Backbone bridge is an engineering feat
originally built by the CCC in 1930s,
spanning 90 feet between canyons.
Highway 14 State Scenic Byway
Connecting I-15 with Utah Heritage
Byway (Highway 89), Highway 14
winds its way from the red rock
canyons near Cedar City, over the
Markagunt Plateau, and past the
beautiful Navajo Lake and Duck
Creek area.
From the plateau, you can see
into Zion National Park; from
Strawberry Point you can see the
Kaibab Plateau in Arizona. A short
detour north from Highway 14 will
take you to fabulous views of Cedar
Breaks National Monument.
Campgrounds, hiking, and fishing can be found at Navajo
Lake and Duck Creek.
Hell’s Backbone bridge
3
S
pecial Places
© Markus Gann
Cedar Mountain-Navajo Lake/
Cascade Falls Trail/Lava Beds
Red Canyon
The area known locally as Cedar Mountain is really
of the All American
Road (Highway 12),
Red Canyon is lined
with stark spires and
ghostly hoodoos eroded
out of the red limestone
and sandstone. In 1925,
tunnels were dug
through the limestone
Tunnel along Highway 12
fins to impress dignitaries and
provide a gateway to the splendor of Bryce Canyon
National Park.
(Cedar City District)
Lava beds
an important summer feeding roost and winter
hibernation spot for Townsend’s big-eared bats,
fringed myotis bats, and others. It is open to the
public from May to September to explore on your
own. In the winter, it is gated to protect the bats.
On Cedar
Dixie National Forest Wilderness
Pine Valley Mountain
Cottonwood Forest
Ashdown Gorge
Box-Death Hollow
NO TR
VE
TD
Help protect Wilderness for our future by
following the “Leave No Trace” principles:
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
»»
Bobcat (© Tom Tietz)
4
federal land that is free
from human control,
is undeveloped, and
provides outstanding
opportunities for
solitude and a primitive
type of recreation. The
Dixie National Forest
is fortunate to have
four congressionally
Cottonwood Forest
Wilderness
designated Wildernesses. They are rugged
and remote—and best suited for experienced
hikers and backpackers. Please
contact the Dixie National Forest prior to visiting for
current maps, regulations, and conditions.
OU
Also located on the
rim is the Cascade
Falls National
Recreation Trail. This
short 0.8 mile trail
winds under the rim of
the plateau and ends at
Cascade Falls.
Wilderness is an area of
E
AC
Mountain
you’ll find
Navajo Lake,
formed when
lava flowed
across the
eastern end of
the valley in
which it sets.
Lava tubes
Navajo Lake
run under the
lake and drain
water into both the Great Basin and Colorado River
drainages, as the headwaters of the Virgin River. At
Navajo Lake, you can camp, boat, or fish for rainbow
and brook trout. A trail to the south of the lake along
the Virgin River Rim provides hiking, horseback
riding, and biking opportunities.
Wilderness
S
The cave is
A paved bike road (also a National Recreation Trail)
runs parallel to Highway 12 for bikers to safely ride
from Red Canyon to the East Fork of the Sevier River. In
addition, trails leaving from the valley invite the hiker,
biker, OHV user, and equestrian to explore further.
IC
the Markagunt Plateau, on the edge of the Colorado
Plateau. A large field of stark and abrasive lava
beds sit near the center of this plateau, some of
which are less than 2,000
Townsend’s big-eared bat
years old. Much of the
(© Eric Isselee)
lava did not come
from a central
volcano but welled
up from cracks in
the earth’s surface.
Underground lava
tubes formed as a
result, one of which
can be seen at
Mammoth Cave.
Located along 5 miles
LEA
(Cedar City District)
O O R ET H
Plan ahead and prepare
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impacts
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of other visitors
Chipmunk
Special Places
(Pine Valley District)
Located in the western basin below the Pine Valley
Mountain, the Pine Valley Recreation Area has nine
loops (including an equestrian camp), numerous trails,
and excellent fishing at both the Santa Clara River and
the Pine Valley Reservoir. In the summer, you can tour
the Pine Valley Chapel, built in the late 1800s by a
Scottish shipbuilder.
Nearby, trees from the Forsyth Canyon area were cut in
1890s and hauled 500 miles to Salt Lake to be used for
pipes in the Tabernacle Pipe Organ on Temple Square.
Pine Lake Recreation Area (Escalante District)
Pine Lake Recreation
Area is located in a
fragrant ponderosa pine
and spruce forest. The
area has a campground
and a day use area
adjacent to Pine Lake.
There are several trails
in the area for hiking,
biking, horseback
riding, and OHV riding.
Posey Lake
Recreation Area
(Escalante District)
This small fishing lake is
a delightful retreat in a
conifer and aspen forest.
Facilities include a nonmotorized boat ramp and
two fishing docks. Two
hiking trails start from the campground. Other trails
nearby allow hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Barker Recreation Area (Escalante District)
The Barker Recreation Complex includes a campground
and day use area. This is a great place to start your hike,
backpacking trip, or fishing excursion. You can drive to
Barker Reservoir and fish from a dock or hike to any
of the ten
lakes in the
backcountry.
Anglers who
prefer stream
fishing will
find plenty of
opportunities
in nearby
North Creek.
Leeds Creek Kiln and Children’s Forest
(Pine Valley District)
There is a lot of history in the high reaches of Leeds
Creek Canyon, where the Leeds Creek Kiln was
built to support the mining operations for the Silver
Reef Mining Area. The kiln made charcoal from the
surrounding oak and juniper forest; the charcoal kept
the smelter at a constant temperature for removing
the silver from sandstone. Families from Leeds helped
restore the kiln in the 1990s.
In 2001, children from local elementary schools—with
the help of an Elderhostel group—designed and built the
0.5-mile nature trail that interprets the area’s natural
and cultural resources for visitors.
The road from Silver Reef is occasionally closed in winter.
Brian Head Peak
(Cedar City District)
Known as Monument Peak until 1890, Brian Head
Peak lies on the west rim of the Markagunt Plateau.
(Markagunt is a Paiute Indian word that means high land
of trees.) At 11,307’ it is the highest point in Iron County.
Although a dirt road can be followed nearly all the way
to the summit, there are a number of trails, most of them
intended for mountain bike enthusiasts, that can get
you a peak experience. A wood and
stone pavilion built by the Civilian
Conservation Corps in the 1930s still
stands the test of time, and makes a
great spot to enjoy lunch with views
all the way to Arizona and Nevada.
Watch carefully—you may spot bald
eagles, peregrines, or prairie falcons.
Peregrine falcon (© M. Lorenz)
Pine Valley Recreation Area
Brian Head Peak
5
Flora
O
ur Natural Resources
At almost 2 million acres, the Dixie National Forest is
one of the largest national forests in Utah. It stretches
for about 170 miles east to west, straddling the divide
between the Great Basin and the Colorado River.
Elevations range from 3,000-11,000’; annual precipitation
ranges from 10-40”; and temperatures range from
-30 to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Its topographic
and climatic diversity mean that there are numerous
ecosystems to be found here.
The vegetation on the Dixie National Forest gradually
changes from sagebrush (Artemesia tridentada) and
rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus) at lower
elevations to low-growing pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and
juniper (Juniperus sp.) at mid-elevations. These give way
to aspen (Populus tremuloides), ponderosa pine (Pinus
ponderosa), bristlcone pine (Pinus longaeva), Engelmann
spruce (Picea engelmannii), and subalpine fir (Abies
lasiocarpa) at high elevations.
If needles are in groups, the tree is a pine.
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‹‹
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‹‹
If needles are in groups of 3, it is a ponderosa pine.
If needles are in groups of 5 and branch looks like
a bottle brush, it is a bristlecone pine.
If needles are in groups of 5 and the branch is
flimsy, it is a limber pine.
If needles are in groups of 2, it is a pinyon pine.
Bristlecone
pine cone
If needles are singular and flat, the tree is a fir.
‹‹
‹‹
White fir (Abies concolor) needles are 2-3” long
Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) needles are 1” long
If needles are singular and 4-sided, the tree is a
spruce (4-sided needles will roll between your
fingers).
‹‹
‹‹
As you travel through the spruce
forests on the Dixie National Forest (and
especially on the Markagunt Plateau)
you will see a lot of dead trees. They
were killed by spruce bark beetles
(Dendroctonus rufipennis), insects smaller
than a grain of rice, but deadly.
Needles in
groups of 3:
ponderosa pine
Tree Identification
Bristlecone pine
Bristleco
ne pine
Blue spruce (Picea pungens)
has furrowed bark
Engelmann spruce (Picea
engelmannii) bark has silver
dollar-sized plates
Spruce
bark
beetles
White fir
Aspen
Some of the dead and dying trees have
been harvested to improve forest health,
reduce fire danger, improve scenery,
and to provide wood products and
logs for homes. (Proceeds from
timber sales are used to plant
seedlings to aid in forest recovery.)
Some trees have blown down in
strong winds and provide firewood
for local use.
For more information, visit
www.fs.usda.gov/dixie.
Subalpine fir behind
Podunk Guard Station
High Elevation
8,000’ - 12,000’
© Tatiana Edrekina
Claret cup cactus (© Mishella)
dd)
ine (© m
p
a
s
o
r
e
Pond
Sagebrush
Bucy)
(© Brendan
Mid Elevation
6,000’ - 8,000’
Pinyon pine
Juniper
Juniper leaves
Rabbitbrush
6
Lower Elevation
3,000’ - 6,000’
An osprey goes fishing
(© Richard Fitzer)
Praire dog (© James M. Phelps, Jr.)
Wildflowers &Watchable Wildlife
Watching the bountiful wildlife on the Dixie National Forest is a favorite activity of visitors. The grasslands, plateaus,
and mountains of the forest are home to an astonishing diversity of animals—some small and shy, others big and bold.
Here is a small sampling of what you might spot:
»» Mule deer: Found throughout the forest at different
elevations as seasons change
»» Elk: Common at Sidney Valley, Panguitch Lake,
Paunsaugunt Plateau, Hoodle Creek, and Griffin Top
»» Bald eagles: Spot them at Panguitch Lake (Oct.-Nov.
or when the lake freezes) or Cottonwood area near
I-15 in the winter
»» Geese and ducks: Often seen at Panguitch Lake and
Duck Creek Pond
»» Raptors: Found throughout the forest, and include
kestrels, red-tailed hawks, turkey vultures, osprey,
and golden eagles
»» Migratory birds: Also found throughout the forest in
the summer, includes hummingbirds and many song
birds
»» Pronghorn and prairie dogs: May be seen on the
Paunsaugunt Plateau
Mule deer (© Alucard)
A northern saw whet owl
guards his lunch
Good roads with wildlife viewing opportunities
include: Aquarius Plateau (FR 140 and 154-Escalante
District), Tom Best Loop Road (FR 117-Powell District),
and the Pine Valley area (FR 035-Pine Valley District).
Watson’s
bladderpod
Wildflowers
Your best wildflower viewing options are on the
Bull elk (© Wesly Aston)
Indian paintbrush
against aspen bark
(© Heather A. Craig)
high plateaus of the Dixie National Forest. Depending
on the amount of precipitation, the flowers bloom
in different locations and amounts. A Wildflower
Celebration is held each July at the Cedar
Breaks National Monument, with hikes and
workshops. For further information, visit
www.nps.gov/cebr.
Globe mallow (© Karin Hildebrand Lau)
Columbine
W
ildlife Viewing Ethics
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Give the wildlife their space. Use those binoculars!
If you find what you believe to be an "orphaned"
or sick animal, leave it alone. Often the parents are
close by and are waiting for you to leave.
Pets must be restrained when viewing wildlife.
Do not feed wildlife. Animals that become habituated
to handouts can eventually become nuisances,
losing their instinctive fears of people. Often the only
solution is to euthanize the animal.
Leave the area if an animal shows signs
of alarm. Watch and listen for raised ears,
skittish movements, or alarm calls.
Leopard frog (© Gerald E. DeBoer)
Sand lily
Pronghorn
7
D
ixie National Forest
15
21
Bea
21
!
Cedar Mountain Meadow
20
15
0
Cedar
077
130
!
Peregrine falcon monitoring
Rang
Parowan
143
Distr
049
56
07
Wh
Brid
18
Cedar !
City q
56
011
300
Pine Valley
Honeycomb
006
Ranger
Cedar Canyon a
Deer Haven a
009
a Rocks
009
18
035
14
District
Panguitch
Lake North aa Pan
Lake
CEDAR BREAKS
NATIONAL
MONUMENT
Utah’s Pa
Parkway
Scenic
Duck Duck Cree
Creek Visitor Cen
Te-ah a
Navajo a 053 a a q
Lake
14
Spruces
Highway 14
Scenic B
Pine Valley
Pine Valley
Visitor
Center Mountain
q
2
a
0
!
Brian
Head
05
Enterprise
6
Ashdown
Gorge
Wilderness
Yankee
a Meadows
15
Pine Valley
a Recreation Area
Wilderness
ZION
NATIONAL
PARK
89
84
18
80
Salt Lake City
Vernal
Provo
6
40
40
6
Price
15
9
50
70
Richfield
!
59
!
9
St. George
191
q
St. George Interagency
Visitor Center
89
Kana
Vicinity map
15
Powell Point, west side
8
Springdale
!
Cedar City
15
9
Virgin
Cottonwood
Forest Wilderness
89
¡
72
FISHLAKE
NATIONAL
FOREST
89
¡
FISHLAKE
NATIONAL FOREST
Loa !
62
24
Teasdale
!
Jones Corral s
Guard Station
Highway 12
All American Road
DIXIE
NATIONAL
FOREST
0
14
89
¡
nguitch
e South
q
ac
!
District
12
Powell
Point
x
7
King
Creek a
Tropic
Reservoir
63
088
Tropic !
Cannonville
Visitor Center
q
Cannonville !
087
ek
nter
Podunk s
4 State
Byway
ab !
Pine Lake a
12
Red
Canyon
atchwork
National
Byway
06
3
a
Box-Death
Hollow
Wilderness
2
143
15
Red Canyon
Visitor Center
Visitor Center
153
149
017
Boulder !q Anasazi SP
152
13
hite
dge
Ranger
BRYCE CANYON
NATIONAL PARK
!
Escalante
q
12
Highway 12 All American Road
Henrieville
GRAND STAIRCASE-ESCALANTE
NATIONAL MONUMENT
efore venturing on to the Dixie
National Forest, please pick up a map
with the level of detail appropriate for
your planned activities:
Dixie National Forest
Pine Valley
District
For backcountry and off-road travel:
Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) are
available at all Forest Service offices
and Visitor Centers, and may be
downloaded from www.fs.usda.gov/dixie.
¡
Highway 12
All American Road
Escalante
Interagency
Visitor Center
B
89
Homestead
x
Posey
Lake a
a
x
Hells Backbone
Cowpuncher s
Blue Spruce a
Barker
Recreation
Area
District
rict
12
Escalante
Ranger
Panguitch!
a
a Oak Creek
1660
7
ger
a Singletree
Wildcat
Visitor Centerq xLarb Hollow
Pleasant Creek a
Lower Bowns
(Administered by
the Fishlake NF)
125
Powell
City
!Torrey
Junction
Antimony !
89
¡
q
!
24
62
07
CAPITOL
REEF
NATIONAL
PARK
Torrey
Visitor
Center
aver
0
Elk (© AZP Worldwide)
FISHLAKE
NATIONAL
FOREST
For hiking, mountain biking, and horseback
riding:
Topographic maps are recommended.
Visit the US Geological Survey for online
purchases: www.usgs.gov.
National forest maps may be purchased at:
www.nationalforeststore.com.
Cedar City
District
Powell
District
Wilderness Areas
Forest
Supervisor’s Office
Fishlake
National Forest
Ranger District
Office
Paved Roads
National Parks
& Monuments
Unpaved Roads
Scenic Byway
or Backway
BLM
a
s
c
x
q
2
Escalante
District
15
Campground
89
¡
Guard Station
62
Picnic Area
Point of Interest
U.S. Highway
State Highway
1660
County Road
017
Forest Route
Visitor Center
Ski Area
Interstate Highway
¯
Scale
Miles
0
2.5
5
10
15
20
9
C
ampgrounds & Trails
Pine Valley Guard Station
Campgrounds
Cedar City Ranger District
Pine Valley Ranger District
(all sites are in the Pine Valley Recreation
Area, except for Honeycomb Rocks)
RD
# of Units
Name
Season
Amenities
Reserveable
15/3/0 (5 walk-in)
May-Sept.
Yes
Dean Gardner
21/3/0
May-Sept.
Ebenezer Bryce
11/3/0
May-Sept.
Effie Beckstrom East
7/2/0
May-Sept.
Effie Bectrom West
6/2/0
May-Sept.
Equestrian
7/8/0
May-Sept.
Honeycomb Rocks
22/0/0
May-Sept.
5/1/0 (all walk-in)
May-Sept.
Yellow Pine
5/1/0
May-Sept.
Cedar Canyon
13/4/0
May-Sept.
Duck Creek
84/7/0 (+ 3 triple)
June-Sept.
Navajo Lake
24/4/0 (11 walk-in)
June-Sept.
Panguitch Lake North
39/8/3
May-Sept.
Panguitch Lake South
18/0/0
May-Sept.
25/1/0 (3 walk-in)
June-Sept.
Te-Ah
41/0/1
June-Sept.
White Bridge
29/1/0
May-Sept.
Yankee Meadow
29/1/0
May-Sept.
Up to 200
June-Sept.
Coyote Hollow Equestrian
4/0/0
May-Oct.
King Creek
37/0/0
May-Oct.
2 (capacity: 50 RV; 100 tent)
May-Oct.
Red Canyon
37/0/0
May-Oct.
Barker Recreation
13/0/3
May-Sept.
Blue Spruce
5/1/0
May-Sept.
Pine Lake
28/0/4
May-Sept.
Posey Lake
21/0/1
May-Sept.
RZLw
RZL
RZL
RZL
RZL
corrals;
RZL¥ (small
hitch rails)
RZ
RZLw
RZL
RZ
RZ_
RZÑw
RZ
RZ
RZw
RZ_
RZ_
RZ
RZ
water; hitch
R¥(non-potable
rails; no corrals)
RZ_L
RZ
RZ_LB
RZ
RZ
RZÑ
RZÑ
(single/double/group)
Crackfoot
Mitt Moody (tents only)
Spruces
Escalante
Ranger
District
Powell
Ranger
District
Deer Haven Group Site
King Creek Group Site
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Blue Spruce Campground
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Restrooms
No
Drinking
water
No
Yes
Garbage
collection
Yes
Boat
ramp
No
Yes
No
Horse use
site
No
Showers
Yes
Dump site
No
Yes
Walk-in site
No
Yes
Yes
Historic Guard Stations
In the early days of the national forests, travel was difficult, slow, and mostly on horseback. Summer cabins were placed a day’s ride
apart for the rangers’ use when they were checking livestock and range conditions, and patrolling for poaching and timber theft.
With the advent of vehicles and better roads, these cabins fell into disuse. A national effort in the 1990s focused on restoring these
cabins for public enjoyment. Your rental fees are used to maintain and improve them.
GUARD
STATION
LOCATION
CAPACITY/
SEASON
FACILITIES
Pine Valley
Pine Valley District: From Central,
go 11 miles east on FR 035 to the
Pine Valley Recreation Area. At the
reservoir gate, go 0.5 mile and
turn north on the 1st road.
6/yearround
Electric stove, fridge, water heater; table and
chairs; fold-out couch; bunk beds in bedroom;
running water May-Sept.; outdoor toilets for
winter use; wood burning stove; no linens
Bult in 1935, the station sits on a wooded hill with
mountain views, east of Pine Valley Reservoir. Area
activities include fishing, hiking, horseback riding,
snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Cowpuncher
Escalante District: North on Hell’s
Backbone Road out of Escalante,
then north on FR 145 past Blue
Spruce Campground.
4/May-Sept.
Propane stove and fridge; wood cook stove;
some pots and dishes; no bedding; hot water
heater and indoor shower (water is limited)
This station is being rebuilt after a fire in 2011.
Please check with the Escalante District Office for
current conditions. A small yurt is available until the
construction is complete (2015-2 016).
Podunk
Powell District: Follow Forest
Road 087 south from Utah State
Highway 12.
6/May-Sept.
Propane and wood stoves; table and chairs;
no kitchen gear; no linens; no potable water
Built in 1928 on the Paunsaugunt Plateau, it sits
beneath a stand of mature spruce trees and above
the meandering East Fork of the Sevier River.
Jones Corral
Guard
Station
Powell District: Off County Road 22
by driving Forest Road 125 north
of Widtsoe Junction or FR 126
near Antimony
4/May-Sept.
Propane and wood stoves; table and chairs;
no kitchen gear; no linens; no potable water
Built in 1935 on the remote Mt. Dutton, this guard
station has been used by generations of Forest
Service employees working in the backcountry.
NOTES
Single site fees covers up to 8 people and two vehicles. Double site fees covers up to
16 people and 4 vehicles. (Does not apply to Escalante District campgrounds.)
10
For campground or cabin reservations use the
National Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov.
Trails
The Dixie National Forest has over 1,600 miles of outstanding trails that can be enjoyed by foot, horse, mountain bike, or
off-highway vehicles. The following are just a few highlights—more information is available at your local Ranger District
Office, or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/dixie.
Miles (one-way)/Description
Cedar City Ranger District
Pine Valley
Ranger District
Trail
Duncan Springs
A 1-mile easy trail following an historic canal built in the 1900s to provide water to a community to the
north; view of Pine Valley and the surrounding area
Cemetery Trail/
A moderate 1.5-mile trail that takes you through dense pinyon pine, juniper, and mountain mahogany up
Water Canyon Trail onto a ridge with great views of Pine Valley to the south and Grass Valley to the north
A 3-mile trail from Pine Valley to the top of Gardner Peak; provides a bird’s–eye view of the Pine Valley
Gardner Peak
and surrounding area; moderate to steep
A series of trails that range from easy to advanced leaving from the Brianhead Ski Resort; some end at
Brianhead Bike
Panguitch Lake where shuttle service can be arranged; there are also loop trails that bring you back to
Complex
the resort
An easy 3-mile walk to the Moots Hollow trailhead at Hwy #14. When you reach a dirt road, the trail
Crystal Springs Trail
stays to the right (the road goes to the Woods Ranch area). The last 0.25 mile is in a narrow canyon.
An 0.8-mile easy walk overlooking the Markagunt Plateau and ending at a falls where the water tumbles
Cascade Falls Trail
down limestone cave from a lava tube under Navajo Lake
Henderson Trail
A 1.5 mile moderate trail that winds through the forest and ends at Henderson Lake; beautiful in the fall
Red Canyon Bike
Trail
Canaan Mountain
Loop Trail
A 12-mile easy trail around the lake, passing through lava flows, flower-filled meadows, and quaking
aspen; great place to camp, fish, and ride single track trails
An easy 0.5-mile trail offering up close views of ancient bristlecone pine and fabulous vistas above
Cedar Breaks National Monument and Ashdown Gorge Wilderness
A 32-mile moderate/difficult trail that offers excellent high-elevation alpine hiking and single track riding
with stunning views; follows the rim along Utah’s high southern plateau; views of the Pink Cliffs and Zion
National Park
A 5.5-mile trail that connects to the Fremont motorized trail (50” or less restriction); travels through a
large wash and beneath huge red hoodoos; be sure to check out the Limekiln/Casto Canyon Loop.
A 74-mile moderate/advanced non-motorized trail that travels around the perimeter of the Paunsaugunt
Plateau; primary access is at Thunder Mountain Trailhead at the mouth of Red Canyon, and Sheep
Creek Trailhead 10 miles west of Cannonville, UT
A 0.4-mile trail starting at the Red Canyon Visitor Center; a trail map with numbered interpretive stops is
available at the visitor center
A 7.8-mile trail accessed from Highway 12 at the mouth of Red Canyon and the Coyote Hollow Trailhead;
trail travels through brilliantly-colored rock hoodoos and bristlecone pine; great for biking, hiking, and
horseback riding; several drop off points along the way
This paved trail begins at the mouth of Red Canyon at the Thunder Mountain Trail head and continues
parallel to Highway #12 into Bryce Canyon National Park.
A 7.5-mile moderate trail that goes from the valley floor up into tree covered mountains; scenic views
into the Gra