Dixie National Forest
Cedar City, Utah
| Address: | Dixie National Forest, Cedar City, UT 84721, USA |
| GPS: |
37°39'54.2"N 112°40'28.6"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | Utah |
Backpack, Camp, and Hike
Dixie National Forest is an often forgotten/hidden gem in Cedar City. It is over 2 million acres of beautiful red rock canyons and trees. Dixie Forest isn't only limited to rocks and trees however, this location has Duck Creek, Boulder Mountain, and a Ski Resort. Dixie forest bestrides the Great Basin and the Colorado River. Depending where you are in the forest, elevation can vary between 2,800 to 11,322 ft. The temperatures in the forest can vary drastically, ranging from 100 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit. To say the least, Dixie National Forest can be enjoyed through all the seasons.
This area holds a very impressive and rich history. There are signs scattered through out the rock formations of life dating back to Native American days. The archeological record exhibits pictographs, petroglyph, dwellings, and artifacts presence of these native populations.Dixie Forest is also the nature watchers playground. The forest supports a variety wildlife species, and can provide endless hours of viewing enjoyment for the nature observer.
There are campgrounds, restrooms, and drinking water available in and around the forest. There are also opportunities for winter activities, these include (but are not limited to): skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing,sledding, and many others! There are hikes available throughout the forest that can vary between simple to difficult. The forest offers many opportunities for hikers and those who seek more engagement with the outdoors.
More Information
Add ResourceBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
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- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Cedar City, Utah
- Head west toward W Harding Ave (226 ft)
- Turn right onto W Harding Ave (190 ft)
- Turn right after Wells Fargo Bank (on the right) (436 ft)
- Turn left onto UT-14 E/
E Center St Continue to follow UT-14 E(17.9 mi) - Turn left onto UT-148 NMay be closed at certain times or days(7.6 mi)
- Turn right onto UT-143 S (10.6 mi)
- Turn left onto FR 260 (486 ft)
- Turn left to stay on FR 260 (0.1 mi)
Other Hiking Trails and Backpacking Trails Nearby
Cascade Falls
Cedar City, Utah
12.1 miles SA 1.2-mile family-friendly round-trip hike through sandstone stairs and red-cliff scenery to a waterfall fed by underground tubes from Navajo Lake — with sweeping views of Cedar Valley and Zion.
Hike 4.1 mi
Swamp Canyon Overlook and Trail
Bryce, Utah
25.8 miles EA lesser-explored loop trail through Bryce Canyon's pink and red cliffs and forested Ponderosa Pines, descending and ascending 800 feet in a peaceful counter-clockwise circuit.
Hike 8.2 mi
Riggs Spring Loop Trail
Kanab, Utah
27.2 miles SEOne of Bryce Canyon's least-traveled trails — an 8-mile loop descending 2,248 feet through ponderosa pines and Pink Cliffs views near Rainbow Point, strenuous but serenely off the beaten path.
Hike 1.0 mi
Bristlecone Loop
Kanab, Utah
27.2 miles SEA 1-mile loop from Rainbow Point — the highest spot in Bryce Canyon — past 1,800-year-old Bristlecone pines, cliff-top views, and wildlife including woodpeckers, owls, and chipmunks.
Hike 1.8 mi
Tower Bridge
Bryce, Utah
27.9 miles EA moderately difficult 3-mile round trip from Sunrise Point past classic Bryce Canyon hoodoos to a dramatic rock formation resembling London Bridge — less crowded the further you go.
Hike 1.2 mi
Navajo Trail
Bryce, Utah
28.0 miles EA short but winding 1.5-mile loop descending into Bryce Canyon's amphitheater, where towering hoodoos, Thor's Hammer, Twin Bridges, Wall Street, and 750-year-old Douglas Firs surround you.
Hike 2.3 mi
Queens Garden Trail
Bryce, Utah
28.1 miles EA descent through hoodoos and tunnels in Bryce Canyon's main amphitheater starting at Sunrise Point — well-kept dirt trail with benches, detour to a Queen Victoria rock formation, and a forest ecosystem below.
Hike 0.5-5.4 mi
Rim Trail
Bryce, Utah
28.1 miles EA 5.5-mile Bryce Canyon rim hike connecting every major viewpoint above the Hoodoos, from Fairyland Point to Bryce Point — partially paved and wheelchair accessible at the midpoint.
Hike 3.1 mi
Peek-a-boo Loop
Bryce, Utah
28.6 miles EA strenuous 5-mile hike through quiet canyon trails with up-close hoodoo views, a shaded respite at the loop's bottom, and sweeping views of the Bryce Amphitheater.
Hike 1.6 mi
Hat Shop
Bryce, Utah
28.7 miles EA moderately difficult 4-mile out-and-back hike to Bryce Canyon's Hat Shop — balancing gray boulders on slender red stilts, plus Pink Cliffs and far-off mountain views.
Hike 3.6 mi
Kanarraville Falls
Kanarraville, Utah
28.9 miles WA slot canyon hike through ankle-to-knee-deep water to twin waterfalls, with a natural sandstone slide into a refreshing swimming hole halfway through the route.
Hike, Swim 7.6 mi
Fairyland Loop Trail
Bryce, Utah
28.9 miles EAn 8-mile loop descending 900 feet into Bryce Canyon's red and white hoodoos, connecting back along Rim Trail at Sunrise Point — with a 200-yard detour to the Tower Bridge rock formation.
Hike
Riverside Walk
Springdale, Utah
29.9 miles SWA flat, paved riverside walk through Zion's desert swamp oasis, with hanging gardens on the cliffs and the option to continue into The Narrows — check flood conditions first.
Hike 0.1-0.3 mi
Mossy Cave
Tropic, Utah
30.6 miles EAn easy mile-long trail past red rock hoodoos, a mossy cave with a summer waterfall and winter icicle curtain, and a charming stream to wade through in water shoes.
Hike
Weeping Rock
Springdale, Utah
30.9 miles SWA short but steep 0.4-mile hike in Zion to a natural alcove where water seeps through sandstone, feeding lush hanging gardens of maidenhair ferns — with views of the Great White Throne.
Hike 2.6 mi
Angels Landing
Springdale, Utah
31.9 miles SWZion's most iconic strenuous day hike — 21 steep switchbacks, dramatic Scout Lookout views, and a narrow chain-assisted ridge with 1,000-foot drop-offs to an unmatched canyon summit.
Hike
The Grotto Trail
Springdale, Utah
32.0 miles SWThe Grotto Trail is an easy, nearly level half-mile Zion walk linking Zion Lodge and The Grotto — and the gateway to Angels Landing.
Hike 7.5 mi
The Subway
Apple Valley, Utah
32.2 miles SWA slot canyon in Zion where you hike, swim, and rappel through majestic tunnels and lava tubes — one of the most magical canyon walks in all of Utah.
Canyoneer, Hike, Swim
Emerald Pools Trail
Hurricane, Utah
32.6 miles SWThree algae-tinted pools carved into Zion's canyon walls glow with an otherworldly emerald color fed by near-constant waterfalls — though swimming and wading are strictly prohibited.
Hike 7.4 mi
Red Slot Canyon AKA Peek-a-boo
Kanab, Utah
35.7 miles SA short but fun slot canyon — very sandy road in, so a 4WD vehicle or ATV is essential — with plenty of ATV and horse trails in the area around this red sandstone slot near Kanab.
HikeNearby Campsites
Sunset Campground
Bryce, Utah
27.6 miles EA spacious first-come, first-served campground inside Bryce Canyon with 101 sites across three loops, fire grates, drinking water, and flushing restrooms — no hookups.
Camp
North Campground
Bryce, Utah
27.9 miles EOne of Bryce Canyon's main campgrounds, with 99 RV and tent sites, restrooms with flush toilets, picnic tables, fire grates, and a nearby summer General Store with showers and laundry.
Camp
Zion National Park
Hurricane, Utah
36.0 miles SWWind, water, and ice sculpted Zion's iconic red sandstone buttes, bends, and mounts into one of the most breathtaking and irreplaceable landscapes on Earth.
Camp, Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
