Dixie National Forest

The Dixie National Forest occupies almost two million acres and stretches about 170 miles across southern Utah. Utah's largest national forest straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River.

The scenic beauty of three neighboring national parks and two national monuments prevails over much of the Dixie National Forest as well. The sandstone formations of Red Canyon rival those of Bryce Canyon. The view from Hell's Backbone Bridge into Death Hollow is breathtaking. From the top of Powell Point, it is possible to see into three different states. Boulder Mountain and its many different lakes provide opportunities for hiking, fishing and viewing outstanding scenery

Recreational opportunities on the forest are highly diversified. Visitors may enjoy biking, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting and swimming and in very primitive settings away from the sights and sounds of motorized vehicles. Others may enjoy vehicle-based activities such as picnicking, viewing scenery and interpretive exhibits, snowmobiling, sailing and water skiing. The forest has 83,000 acres of wilderness, which offer opportunities for solitude, horseback riding and hiking.

The Dixie National Forest supports a wide variety of wildlife species. Terrain varies from gentle plateaus to rocky cliffs and furnishes habitat for many different wildlife species such as the cougar, bobcat, blue grouse, golden eagle, cottontail rabbit, wild turkey, antelope and Utah prairie dog. Big game hunting has traditionally been the major wildlife attraction on the forest. Mule deer are harvested on every ranger district, and elk are expanding their range on the forest. Fishing: Good fishing is found in the many lakes, reservoirs and streams on the forest. Game fish include brook, rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout. Forest visitors can often observe many interesting birds and mammals next to a lake, stream or pond.

Camping

There are 26 developed campgrounds and five picnic sites on the forest. In addition, the forest has several group camping and picnic areas available, which can be reserved by calling ahead.

Winter Sports

Opportunities for winter sports such as cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are available in many areas. The Forest Service works with Utah State Parks and Recreation to maintain trails for skiing and snowmobiling near Cedar Breaks and Bryce Canyon. There are also over a thousand miles of timber roads that can be used for these sports. There's also Brian Head Resort which offers down hill skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing.

For additional information:

Dixie National Forest , www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie or visit one of our ranger stations or visitor centers

St. George Interagency Visitor Center:
345 E. Riverside Dr
St. George, Utah 84770
435- 688-3246

Cedar City Ranger District:
1789 N. Wedgewood Dr
Cedar city, Utah 84720.
435-865-3200

Duck Creek Visitor Center:
Hwy. U-14.
435-682-2432

Powell Ranger District:
225 E. Center Street
Panguitch, Utah 84759
435- 676-9300

Red Canyon Visitor Center:
Hwy U-12
435- 676-2676

Escalante Interagency Visitor Center:
755 West Main
Escalante, Utah 84770
435-826-5499