Headquartered in Cedar City, Utah - the Dixie National Forest occupies almost two million acres and reaches about one hundred and seventy miles across southern Utah. "The Dixie'' is the largest national forest in Utah with over 83,000 acres of wilderness. In this national forest you'll find deep canyons, fascinating rock formations, mountains, lakes and towering ponderosa pines.
There are many climatic extremes throughout the forest. Precipitation ranges from ten inches in the lower elevations to more than forty inches per year near Brian Head Peak. Most of the annual precipitation at the higher elevations falls as snow. Thunderstorms are common during July and August and produce heavy rains. In some areas, August is the wettest month of the year. The temperature can vary from summer highs exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit near St. George, and winter lows exceeding -30 degrees Fahrenheit on plateau tops.
Forest vegetation goes from sparse, desert-type plants at the lower elevations to stands of low-growing Pinyon pine and juniper dominating the mid-elevations. Aspen and conifers such as pine, spruce, and fir dominate the higher elevations.
The Dixie National Forest supports a wide variety of wildlife species that include cougar, bobcat, blue grouse, golden eagle, cottontail rabbit, wild turkey, antelope, and the Utah prairie dog.
The archaeological record in this national forest includes pictographs, petrogylphs, dwellings, and artifacts. This historical lore attests to the presence of prehistoric and historic peoples. It is the objective of the heritage program at the Dixie National Forest to help interpret and preserve these irreplaceable sites. Don't touch or remove any artifacts from the forest.
Quick information on the Dixie National Forest:
From the top of Powell Point you can see for miles into three different states.
There are primitive use areas in the forest as well as more developed areas.
There is camping, picnicking, resort lodging, sledding, skiing, hunting, gathering forest products, viewing interpretive exhibits, hiking, viewing scenery, driving for pleasure, snowmobiling, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, sailing, swimming, water skiing, and fishing in the forest
Big game hunting - Mule deer are harvested in every District, and elk are expanding their range on the Forest.
Fishing: in the many lakes, reservoirs, and streams located within the Forest. Game fish in the forest include brook, rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout.
Camping: There are both primitive campsites with no amenities, and developed facilities with drinking water and restrooms. There are twenty-six campgrounds and five picnic sites. There are several group camping and picnic areas available for reservation.
Some of the campgrounds are located near lakes and reservoirs. I.E. Panguitch Lake, Navajo Lake, and Enterprise Reservoir, these areas have boating and fishing opportunities available.
Winter Sports include cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in many areas.
Downhill skiing at Brian Head
From a May 2009 review, "Red Canyon is located along Scenic Byway 12, just 9 miles west of the entrance road to Bryce Canyon. This is a lovely section of Dixie National Forest, and the red rock hoodoos make some people think they are already in Bryce Canyon National Park. Right along the highway is a very modern visitor center for the national forest, including friendly forest rangers and modern restrooms. They helped me select two hikes in Red Canyon. Arches Trail: This is a somewhat easy 7/10 of a mile loop that passes by over a dozen small arches and quite a few red rock hoodoos. Some sections of the modest trail are steep, and I was glad I happened upon a good walking stick. Be careful with your footing, although I would not describe the trail as dangerous. Pink Ledges Trail: Again, a relatively easy trail with some tenuous footing, but hardly dangerous. The trail is a 1-mile loop starting at the visitors' center. Again, plenty of red rock hoodoos. At age 59 and a minor heart condition - and considering the exertion/elevation factor, I didn't think I was up to the hikes down into and UP OUT OF Bryce Canyon. These two trails were a reasonable substitute for me that involved some reasonable change in elevation and lots of red rock scenery.''
Another reviewer stated, "Not as spectacular as Bryce, but you pass through it if you approach Bryce from the West. Very pretty formations.''
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