Red Canyon

Vermilion-colored rock formations and stands of ponderosa pine greet you as you enter Red Canyon. While many visitors think they are already in Bryce Canyon National Park, Red Canyon is actually a part of the Dixie National Forest, which stretches from the Nevada border to Capitol Reef National Park.

   Red Canyon is part of the Claron Formation, the same geologic formation that created Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks.  Sixty million years ago, sedimentary deposits in ancient lake created the formation: a combination of limestone, siltstone, shale, sandstone and conglomerate.  Subsequent uplifting and faulting created massive blocks that streams later carved in to the Paunsaugunt and Aquarius Plateaus.  A few million more years of erosion exposed the Claron Formation atop the plateaus.  The fantastic ridges and spires, called hoodoos, are the result of weathering along the vertical fractures within the sandstone beds of the Claron Formation Variation in color of Red Canyon is due to the different amounts of iron and manganese present in each layer of the prehistoric sediment.

Visitor Center

The Red Canyon Visitor Center is located on Hwy U-12 about two miles from the Hwy –U89 junction.  The seasonal (generally late April –October) center has information on sightseeing, picnicking, and other recreational activities in the national forest.

Campground

Red Canyon features 37 unit campground.  The campground has shower facilities, restrooms, some new fire rings and grills, and paved sidewalks in some areas to provide improved access for people with disabilities. ATV riding is not allowed in Red Canyon Campground.  Campsites are on a first come-first served basis.

Hiking Trails

Pink Ledges Loop-a mile long trail that takes you behind the visitor center to spectacular views of Red Canyon and the Sevier River valley.
Arches Trail –a .7 mile hike that starts at the bottom of Losee Canyon and reveals 15 different arches.

Mountain Biking Trails

Casto Canyon – Moderate trail about 14 miles, there and back.  Scenic route with historical elements. 
Thunder Mountain Trail –Moderately strenuous trail for 8 miles, can become a complete loop by hooking up with the RedCanyon Bicycle
Trail Red Canyon Bicycle Trail -5.5 mile paved trail that parallels Scenic Byway 12, allowing hikers and bicyclists to experience the sights and sounds of Red Canyon.

OHV’s and Four Wheeling

OHV use is allowed on the Casto Canyon Trail.  Beginning at the Casto Canyon trailhead the trail takes you into a wonderful world of red hoodoos, sandstone cliffs of white, pink and even green colors. The spectacular red rock is evident along most of the Casto Canyon ride until you reach the forested areas of ponderosa pines where the colors changes with every turn of the trail.
*Please check with the visitor center for trail use. *Trails in Red Canyon are open year-round.

Getting There

From the junction of Hwy U-89 and Hwy U-12, travel east on “All American Highway” U-12 for about two miles to the entrance of Red Canyon.  The visitor center is about mile three on the north side of the road.

For more information about Red Canyon and the Dixie National Forest, check out their website at www.fs.fed.us/r4/dixie/recreation/

National Forest Ranger District
225 East Center Street
P.O. Box 80
Panguitch, Utah 84759-0080
435-676-9300