Dixie National Forest is a United States National Forest in Utah with headquarters in Cedar City. It occupies almost two million acres (8,000 km²) and stretches for about 170 miles (270 km) across southern Utah. The largest national forest in Utah, it straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River.
The Cedar City Ranger District is located on the Markagunt Plateau, a gently sloping, eastward tilted earth block that has been modified by erosion, volcanism, and some glaciations. Bordered by the beautiful pink limestone of the Wasatch formation (the same formation that forms the spires and landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument), the District has some of the more spectacular scenery in the west.
Motor Vehicle Travel Map (MVTM) of Cedar City Ranger District in Dixie National Forest (NF) in Utah. Published by the U.S. National Forest Service (USFS).
Map of Bear Valley / Willow Trail in the Cedar City Ranger District in Dixie National Forest (NF) in Utah. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Map of North Fork Three Mile Trail in the Cedar City Ranger District in Dixie National Forest (NF) in Utah. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Map of Right Fork Bunker Creek Trail in the Cedar City Ranger District in Dixie National Forest (NF) in Utah. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Map of popular Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) trails on the Markagunt Plateau and the Dixie National Forest in Utah. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
Map of the Daily Lottery Permit Application Geofence Perimeter for Coyote Buttes North (The Wave) and South in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument (NM), Arizona Strip BLM Field Office area and Kanab BLM Field Office area in Utah and Arizona. Published by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Dixie NF - Cedar City
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dixie/recarea/?recid=24840
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_National_Forest
Dixie National Forest is a United States National Forest in Utah with headquarters in Cedar City. It occupies almost two million acres (8,000 km²) and stretches for about 170 miles (270 km) across southern Utah. The largest national forest in Utah, it straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River.
The Cedar City Ranger District is located on the Markagunt Plateau, a gently sloping, eastward tilted earth block that has been modified by erosion, volcanism, and some glaciations. Bordered by the beautiful pink limestone of the Wasatch formation (the same formation that forms the spires and landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument), the District has some of the more spectacular scenery in the west.
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 th
Getting There
Bristlecone Pine Trail
Access
The Bristlecone Pine Trail is a short, 0.5 mile roundtrip, hiking trail that is named after the trees that grow
along the trail. The Bristlecone Pine tree is considered
the oldest living single organism in the world. Some
of the trees date back nearly 4,500 years, around the
same time the pyramids were being built in Egypt!
Bristlecone Pine Trail is accessed from the Bristlecone Pine
Trailhead/Parking Area.
Bristlecone Pine Trailhead N 37° 34.047’ W 112° 50.933’
From Cedar City to Bristlecone Pine:
Approximately 18 miles
The key to these trees surviving to their remarkable age
is their ability to survive in adverse growing conditions.
Bristlecone Pine trees have the amazing ability to grow
during favorable years and almost completely stop all
growth during adverse years. Their slow growth makes
their wood extremely dense which makes it resistant
to insects, rot, and erosion. Many of them contain
considerable amounts of dead wood that surround a thin
lining of inner bark that sustains the living portion of the tree.
From I-15 take Exit 59 for UT-56/200 North. Proceed east
on 200 North for 1 mile to the intersection with Main Street.
Turn right onto Main Street and head south for 0.2 miles to
the intersection with Center Street/University Blvd/UT-14.
Turn left onto Center Street/UT-14 and continue southeast
on UT-14 for 17 miles to the Bristlecone Pine Trailhead
parking area on the south side of the road.
15
143
Brian Head
Cedar
City
Cedar
Breaks
N.M.
14
143
143
Branches and Needles
Trailhead
1
2
3
4
5
Miles
Viewing Platform
Dixie National Forest
Found on the high, barren, wind-swept slopes of the
southwestern states, Bristlecone Pine trees can be
identified by their location, form, foliage, and cones.
These trees are short, bushy, often multi-stemmed and
malformed. The needles are deep green and occur in
clusters of five. They are 1” to 1 ½” in length and slightly
curved. The needles completely surround the twigs and
small branches giving them the appearance of a long
bushy tail. The cones are 3” to 3 ½” in length and are a
deep chocolate brown at maturity. The cone scales are
stout, thick, and armed with a long fragile prickle from
which the Bristlecone Pine receives its common name.
The trail is accessible late spring when the snowpack has
melted through the fall. There is a little shade offered along
the trail under the trees but many areas are fully exposed
to the sun. There is also no water available along the
trail. While the elevation helps to keep things moderately
cool, prepare for warm temperatures during the summer.
Due to the limited range, unique age, scientific and
aesthetic value, the U.S. Forest Service has a non-cutting,
non-removal policy for the trees. You are encouraged
to visit and photograph these extraordinary specimens
but please do not climb, carve, or deface the trees.
We hope you enjoy your visit to the Dixie
National Forest.
Please remember to respect your National
Forest Lands and Tread Lightly!
Trailhead
Cedar City
Ranger District
The trail is a relatively flat easy hike, but be careful on
some of the uneven surfaces. The trail offers two branches,
diverging shortly out of the parking area and converging
before the viewing platform at the end. To see all the trail has
to offer take one branch on the way out and the other on the
way back. The viewing platform at the end of the trail offers
spectacular views of the upper reaches of Zion National Park.
148
0
Bristlecone
Pine Trail
Bristlecone
August 2011
Named for the spectacular Bristlecone
Pine trees that grow in the area,
this short, 0.5 mile roundtrip, hiking
trail is a journey back in time. The
end of the trail provides beautiful
views into Zion National Park.
Forest
Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Cedar Breaks
National
Monument
s
ing
Po
Crystal
Tra
il
ta
to
ow
ll
Ho
Ashdown
Gorge
Wilderness
Area
n
14
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Parking
Area
il
51
il
Tra
#361
#277
Blowhard
Tra
i
ne
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ec
tl
is
Br
l
14
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s
#2
Spr
ne
Pi
a
Tr
#1
5
62
Viewing
Platform
0
250
500
750
Ha
24
#16
1,000
Feet
51
#2
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oc
nc
148
#052
9,980
#251
51
9,960
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i
Tra
9,940
9,920
9,900
#240
0
0.05
0.1
Rim
0.5
0.75
1
Viewing
Platform
9,960
#055
9,940
#0
9,920
55
#0
55
0
Elevation in Feet
0.25
9,980
9,900
Mile
0.2
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
Distance in Miles
0.2
65
0.25
l
0
#1635
0.15
Distance in Miles
Bristlecone Pine Trail Profile - East Path
Parking
Area
10,000
i
Tra
Bristlecone Pine
Trail
Viewing
Platform
#2
er
Riv
Elevation in Feet
10,000
14
#162
6
Bristlecone
Pine Trail Profile - West Path
Parking
Area
#1
in
Peak
Vir
g
0.25
Cascade Falls Trail
Getting There
Access
Cascade Falls Trail is a short, 1.1 mile roundtrip, hiking
trail that is named for the waterfall that pours out of the cliff
at the end of the trail. The water that flows over the falls
originates in Navajo Lake and drains through a series of
sinks hole in the east end of the lake. The water travels
well over a mile through underground lava tubes before
reappearing at the falls. The water then continues on the
form the north fork of the Virgin River. Please note that
the lava tube is closed to exploration due to high water
flows and low oxygen levels.
Cascade Falls Trail is accessed from the Cascade Falls
Trailhead/Parking Area.
Cascade Falls Trailhead
N 37° 29.837’ W 112° 45.096’
From Cedar City to Cascade Falls:
Approximately 29.5 miles
From I-15 take Exit 59 for UT-56/200 North. Proceed east
on 200 North for 1 mile to the intersection with Main
Street. Turn right onto Main Street and head south for 0.2
miles to the intersection with Center Street/University
Blvd/UT-14. Turn left onto Center Street/UT-14 and
continue southeast on UT-14 for 25.3 miles to the junction
with Navajo Lake Road/Forest Road #053. Turn right onto
Navajo Lake Road/Forest Road #053 and continue 0.3
miles to the sign pointing to Cascade Falls. Turn left onto
Forest Road #054 and continue 1.1 miles. Turn right to
stay on Forest Road #054 and continue another 1.6 miles
to the Cascade Falls parking area.
Viewing Platform
Parowan
15
The trail is an "out and back" type trail that is
approximately 0.6 miles each way. There are benches
along the trail allowing the hiker to rest and enjoy the
scenery, as well as a viewing platforms located halfway
along the trail and at the terminus. The trail is mostly flat
with a few moderate inclines. There are numerous stairs
throughout the trail that require reasonable mobility.
Cascade Falls is a relatively "kid friendly" trail although
there are a few steep drop-offs that may require some
hand holding.
The trail is well maintained and
experiences little elevation change making it great for
novice hikers yet offers enough stunning views to make it
enjoyable for even the most experienced hikers. Don’t
forget your camera!
Cascade Falls
Trail
Cedar City
Ranger District
Dixie National Forest
Restroom facilities and a large parking area are provided
at the trailhead.
The trailhead also serves as an
intermediate trailhead for the Virgin River Rim Trail. The
trail to the north heads nine miles to Te-ah campground at
Navajo Lake, and the trail to the south heads 11 miles to
Strawberry Point. While the Virgin River Rim Trail is open
to hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, the
Cascade Falls Trail is open to foot traffic only.
143
Brian Head
Cedar City
143
14
148
The trail is accessible late spring through the fall when the
snowpack has melted. There is very little shade offered
along the trail and it is completely exposed to the sun
during afternoon hours. There is also no water available
along the trail. While the elevation helps to keep things
moderately cool, prepare for warm temperatures during
the summer.
14
Cascade
Falls
0 1 2 3 4 5
Miles
Stairs Ascending the Trail
The Cascade Falls Trail has been designated a National
Recreation Trail for its outstanding scenic values.
Extensive restoration that occurred in 2010 will help
ensure that this popular route will remain accessible to
Dixie National Forest visitors for years to come.
We hope that you enjoy your visit to
the Dixie National Forest. Please
remember to respect your National
Forest Lands and Tread Lightly!
Named for the Waterfall that Flows Out
of the Side of the Cliff, this 1.1 Mile
Roundtrip Hiking Trail is a Local
Favorite. The Trail Also Provides
Spectacular Views of Zion National
Park and the Pink Cliffs.
Forest
Viewing Platform at the Falls
View of the Trail From the Falls
October 2010
Service
United States Department of Agriculture
Nav
ajo
Lake
l
Trai
14
r Tra
il
Navajo
Lake
unte
Cascade
Falls Trail
H
Lost
Loop
4
#05
#053
Trail
in
Ri
ke
9
Di
ve
r
Rim
#0
54
w
Co
ke
La
Trail
Cascade
Falls
Elevation in Feet
Cascade Falls
Trailhead
0
Duck Creek
Visitor Center
#0
5
Vir
g
#370
0.25
0.5
0.75
1
Mile
Cascade Falls Trail Profile
REST AREA &
VIEWING PLATFORM
Distance in Miles
Cascade Falls
Viewing Platform
REST AREA
BENCH
From Cedar City to Te-ah:
Approximately 32 miles
Getting There
Access
The Virgin River Rim Trail can be accessed from several
points depending on how far, and which direction you wish
to travel.
From Strawberry Point
From Cascade Falls
From Te-ah (Navajo Lake)
From Woods Ranch
N 37° 26.177’
N 37° 29.837’
N 37° 32.020’
N 37° 35.643’
W 112° 42.684’
W 112° 45.096’
W 112° 49.300’
W 112° 54.980’
Shuttle
You may want to leave a shuttle vehicle at any of the trail
access points if you only wish to hike one direction.
From Cedar City to Strawberry Point:
Approximately 42.5 miles
From I-15 take Exit 59 for UT-56/200 North. Proceed east
on 200 North for 1 mile to the intersection with Main
Street. Turn right onto Main Street and head south for 0.2
miles to the intersection with Center Street/University
Blvd/UT-14. Turn left onto Center Street/UT-14 and
continue southeast on UT-14 for 32.6 miles to the junction
with Strawberry Point Road. Turn right onto Strawberry
Point Road and continue 8.6 miles, where you will see the
trailhead on your left. Continue on another 0.2 miles to
the parking area at Strawberry Point. The parking area at
Strawberry Point is larger and can accommodate more
vehicles than the small pullout at the trailhead.
From I-15 take Exit 59 for UT-56/200 North. Proceed east
on 200 North for 1 mile to the intersection with Main
Street. Turn right onto Main Street and head south for 0.2
miles to the intersection with Center Street/University
Blvd/UT-14. Turn left onto Center Street/UT-14 and
continue southeast on UT-14 for 25.3 miles to the junction
with Navajo Lake Road/Forest Road #053. Turn right onto
Navajo Lake Road and continue 5.7 miles. After you pass
Te-Ah campground but before you take the sweeping left
turn to the south you will see a pull out and a trailhead
sign. Park here, the trail straight ahead is coming from
Woods Ranch behind you down the road approximately
200 feet is the trail coming from Cascade Falls.
From Cedar City to Woods Ranch:
Approximately 13 miles
From I-15 take Exit 59 for UT-56/200 North. Proceed east
on 200 North for 1 mile to the intersection with Main
Street. Turn right onto Main Street and head south for 0.2
miles to the intersection with Center Street/University
Blvd/UT-14. Turn left onto Center Street/UT-14 and
continue southeast on UT-14 for 11.5 miles. Woods
Ranch is on your right. The trailhead is the road to the
north of the large pavilion and swing set. You can park
near the pavilion or there is more parking further south in
the loop.
From Cedar City to Cascade Falls:
Approximately 29.5 miles
From I-15 take Exit 59 for UT-56/200 North. Proceed east
on 200 North for 1 mile to the intersection with Main
Street. Turn right onto Main Street and head south for 0.2
miles to the intersection with Center Street/University
Blvd/UT-14. Turn left onto Center Street/UT-14 and
continue southeast on UT-14 for 25.3 miles to the junction
with Navajo Lake Road/Forest Road #053. Turn right onto
Navajo Lake Road/Forest Road #053 and continue 0.3
miles to the sign pointing to Cascade Falls. Turn left onto
Forest Road #054 and continue 1.1 miles. Turn right to
stay on Forest Road #054 and continue another 1.6 miles
to the Cascade Falls parking Area. The trail to your east
is coming from Strawberry Point and the trail to your west
is from Te-ah.
The Virgin River Rim Trail
The Virgin River Rim Trail winds through 32 miles of some
of the most spectacular scenery southern Utah has to
offer. From stunning pink cliffs, to verdant high altitude
forests, the trail offers a little something for everyone.
The trail is long and can be quite rigorous at points so
most people choose to only enjoy a portion at a time. The
following suggestions are provided to help you find the
adventure you are looking for during your visit to the Dixie
National Forest.
Strawberry Point to Cascade Falls
Approximately 11 miles
This section of trail offers amazing views off of the "top
step" of the Grand-Staircase to the "lower steps" of Zion
National Park. There are numerous places along this
section to stop and enjoy the view.
Eroded from
limestone, the iron in the rock rusts, creating spectacular
colors along the side of the rim.
Cedar City
Ranger District
Dixie National Forest
Cascade Falls to Te-ah
Approximately 9 miles
This section of trail is packed with views of the headwaters
of the Virgin River and Zion National Park. If you have the
time you may also enjoy the short half mile hike down to
Cascade Falls. As Navajo Lake slowly drains through the
lava rock below it exits at Cascade Falls. There are also
several access points from this portion of the trail down to
Navajo Lake. Utilizing the Dike, Spruces, Navajo, or
Lodge trails you can tie into the Navajo Lake Loop trail.
This trail offers a beautiful nine mile ride around Navajo
Lake.
Te-ah to Woods Ranch
Approximately 12 miles
Strawberry
Parowan
15
143
Point
This section of trail winds through thick forests of Douglas
fir and A