Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest
Panguitch, UT
Bright red hoodoos right beside Scenic Byway 12, including two arch tunnels the road passes through. A paved bike path, short trails and a visitor center make it an easy stop before Bryce Canyon.
Red Canyon is a section of the Dixie National Forest in southern Utah, near Panguitch and just before Bryce Canyon National Park. Scenic Byway 12 begins here and passes through two red rock tunnels. Along the road stand orange-red hoodoos, towers and spires of limestone and sandstone, with pull-outs for photos. The Dixie National Forest covers almost two million acres (about 8,000 square kilometres).
Trails such as Pink Ledges, Hoodoo, Birdseye and Golden Wall start at the Red Canyon Visitor Center. The Buckhorn Trail (about 1.4 km) leads to a viewpoint, and combined with the Golden Wall Trail it makes a loop of about 8 kilometres. Mountain bikers ride the Thunder Mountain Trail, a 13-kilometre singletrack. A paved bike path runs alongside the road. Unlike in Bryce Canyon, ATVs and off-road biking are allowed here.
Red Canyon Campground lies just under a kilometre past the visitor center and has 37 first-come, first-served sites with water, showers and a dump station. Check current status and the weather in advance; flash floods are possible after storms.
- Nearest town
- Panguitch, UT
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 37.7430, -112.3080
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Ruby's RV Park & CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Red Canyon, Dixie National ForestTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- King Creek CampgroundCampsite10 mi from Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest · 37 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- North CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Sunset CampgroundCampsite11 mi from Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest · 99 pitchesTentsCaravansDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Bear Valley RV & Campground ResortMotorhome stopover16 mi from Red Canyon, Dixie National ForestMotorhomesElectricityWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Cannonville KOAMotorhome stopover18 mi from Red Canyon, Dixie National ForestTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Utah · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest?
Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest is in Panguitch, UT, at GPS 37.7430, -112.3080. It is about 2 mi from Red Canyon.
Can you camp near Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Red Canyon Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 47 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest?
Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Southwest Utah: Snow Canyon, Kolob and Cedar Breaks to Bryce.
What is there to see near Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest?
Places worth a stop nearby: Bryce Canyon National Park (12 mi), Kodachrome Basin State Park (23 mi), Cedar Breaks National Monument (30 mi) and Moqui Cave (46 mi).
When is the best time to visit Red Canyon, Dixie National Forest?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, June and August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)