Dixie National Forest Travel Guide

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the picturesque Utah region of the United States, Dixie National Forest stands tall as a natural wonderland waiting to be explored. This expansive national forest offers visitors an escape into the untouched beauty of nature, where breathtaking scenery and outdoor adventures await at every turn.

Spanning over 2 million acres, Dixie National Forest is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Hikers can traverse the numerous trails, ranging from easy strolls to challenging treks that lead to panoramic viewpoints and hidden waterfalls. As you wander through the forest, you'll be enchanted by the towering pine trees, vibrant wildflowers, and the peaceful sounds of nature surrounding you.

For those seeking a more adrenaline-fueled experience, Dixie National Forest boasts thrilling opportunities for rock climbing, mountain biking, and even horseback riding. The rugged terrain offers a playground for adventurers of all levels, making it the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to push their limits.

One of the highlights of Dixie National Forest is the captivating Bryce Canyon National Park, which lies within its boundaries. Famous for its unique geological formations known as hoodoos, Bryce Canyon is a sight to behold. Visitors can embark on a scenic drive along the rim, hike down into the amphitheaters, or even take part in a stargazing tour to witness the magic of the night sky.

When it's time to relax and unwind, Dixie National Forest offers numerous campgrounds and picnic areas where you can immerse yourself in the tranquility of the surroundings. Pitch a tent under the starry night sky, build a campfire, and let the soothing sounds of nature lull you into a peaceful slumber.

As you explore Dixie National Forest, don't forget to keep an eye out for the abundant wildlife that calls this place home. From majestic elk and deer to elusive mountain lions and bobcats, the forest is teeming with diverse animal species, providing nature enthusiasts with the opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat.

Alternative names: Area: 2951.72 mi²Visitors per year: 700 thous.Elevation: 6529 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 37°51'58"N, 112°26'13"W

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UtahUnited States

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Dixie National Forest Top Attractions

Dixie National Forest Attractions - What to See and Explore

Dixie National Forest offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Brian Head, Navajo Lake, Mammoth Cave, Panguitch Lake. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Nature • Natural attraction • Vernacular architecture
Brian Head
Brian Head, at 11,312 feet high, is the highest peak on the Markagunt Plateau and in Iron County in southwestern Utah, United States. Brian Head Peak is located east of Cedar City and just north of Cedar Breaks National Monument in Dixie National Forest.
Nature • Natural attraction • Vernacular architecture
Navajo Lake
Navajo Lake is a small reservoir in northwestern Kane County in southern Utah, United States. It is shallow, reaching depths of only 25 feet. Recreation includes fishing, boating, swimming, and lodging facilities. Species of trout in Navajo Lake are brook trout, splake trout, and rainbow trout.
Natural attraction • Park • Cave
Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave is a lava tube located on the Markagunt Plateau in the Dixie National Forest of Southern Utah, and is one of the largest lava tubes in Utah. The cave has over 2,200 feet of passage and is about a quarter mile long. It was formed by cooling lava and water less than 2,000 years ago.

Nature • Natural attraction • Vernacular architecture
Panguitch Lake
Panguitch Lake was originally a large natural lake that has now been expanded by the creation of a 24-foot dam to become a reservoir with a maximum surface area of 1,248 acres.
Park
Mountain Meadow
Mountain Meadow or Mountain Meadows, is an area in present-day Washington County, Utah. It was a place of rest and grazing used by pack trains and drovers, on the Old Spanish Trail and later Mormons, Forty-niners, mail riders, migrants and teamsters on the Mormon Road on their way overland between Utah and California.
Vernacular architecture • Church
Pine Valley Chapel and Tithing Office
The Pine Valley Chapel and Tithing Office, the chapel sometimes being referred to as the Pine Valley Ward Chapel, are historic 19th-century buildings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pine Valley, Washington County, Utah, that are jointly listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
Black Mountains
The Black Mountains is a 30-mile long mountain range in northeastern Iron County and southeastern Beaver County in southwestern Utah, United States. The range borders the northeast portion of the Escalante Desert, and the range's southeast flank trends with the Hurricane Cliffs and Parowan Valley.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Cyclone Lake
Cyclone Lake is a lake in Garfield County, Utah, United States. The lake is about 15 miles north-northwest of Escalante and is located within the Dixie National Forest with an elevation of 9,869 feet.
Nature • Natural attraction • Lake
Cuddyback Lake
Cuddyback Lake is a lake in north-central Garfield County, Utah, United States.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mountain
Little Creek Peak
Little Creek Peak is a mountain in eastern Iron County in southwestern Utah in the United States. the summit, at 10,145 feet NAVD 88, is about 29 miles northeast of Cedar City between I-15 and U.S. Route 89. The mountain is in the Dixie National Forest.
Nature • Natural attraction • Canyon
Holt Canyon
Holt Canyon, originally called Meadow Canyon or Meadow Valley, is a valley in Washington County, Utah. Its mouth lies at an elevation of 5,387 feet / 1,642 meaters where it enters the Escalante Valley.
Nature • Natural attraction • Valley
Mammoth Valley
Mammoth Valley is a depression in Southern Utah between Hatch and Duck Creek. The Mammoth Creek flows along its floor.
37°34'4"N • 113°25'8"W
Daniel R. and Sophia G. Page House
The Daniel R. and Sophia G. Page House is one of a number of outbuildings on the Page Ranch property in Iron County, Utah. Built in 1900, this two-story house is the primary house on the property and the only building on the property that is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nature • Natural attraction • Natural feature
Bull Valley Mountains
The Bull Valley Mountains are a 30-mi long, mountain range in southwest Utah, located in northwest Washington County. The range is adjacent the Utah border and attached to the Clover Mountains of southeast Nevada.

Day trips

Dixie National Forest – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Dixie National Forest, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Rainbow Point (Bryce Canyon National Park), Frontier Homestead State Park Museum (Cedar City), Tucupit Point.

29 milesS
Geologic formation, Lookout, Hiking trail
Rainbow Point, Bryce Canyon National Park
The Rainbow Point Comfort Station and Overlook Shelter in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah were designed in 1939 by A.V. Jory of the National Park Service Branch of Plans and Designs in the National Park Service Rustic style.
36 milesW
Specialty museum, Museum, History museum
Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, Cedar City
Frontier Homestead State Park Museum is a state park and museum of in Cedar City, Utah, United States.
49 milesSW
Rock
Tucupit Point
Tucupit Point is a prominent sandstone pinnacle in the Kolob Canyons area of Zion National Park in Washington County, Utah, United States.
49 milesSW
Mountain
Paria Point
Paria Point is a 7,802-foot elevation summit located in the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, in Washington County, Utah, United States.
44 milesS
History museum, Art museum, Museum
Maynard and Edith Hamlin Dixon House and Studio, Mount Carmel Junction
The Maynard and Edith Hamlin Dixon House and Studio is a residence and former painting studio in Mount Carmel, Utah. Maynard Dixon was a prominent artist in the 1920s through 1940s who is best known for his landscape paintings of the American West.

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Best Time To Visit Dixie National Forest

Learn when is the best time to travel to Dixie National Forest weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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January and December are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in February, March and June.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in June and December. Most of it rains in August.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Dixie National Forest?

The top attractions to visit in Dixie National Forest are:

What is the best time to visit Dixie National Forest?

January and December are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in February, March and June. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January.