The Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway, U-14, from Cedar City to its junction at US-89 is a popular area in Southern Utah, known as Cedar Mountain. This Utah scenic byway crosses through Dixie National Forest, the largest national forest in Utah, consisting of almost two-million acres of wooded areas, ponds, lakes and mountains.
Cedar Mountain lies within Dixie National Forest. This beautiful scenic road is lined with rows of crowded aspens. Having the opportunity to drive this scenic byway in September, as green leaves transform to red and yellow, is a real treat. One of the popular scenic views on Cedar Mountain is of picturesque Navajo Lake. Many of the hiking trails on Cedar Mountain begin at Navajo Lake.
To locate Cedar Breaks National Monument, turn-off SR-14 to SR-148. Cedar Breaks is a three mile wide, two thousand foot deep amphitheater of elegant hoodoos. Cedar Breaks is less crowded than Bryce Canyon. It is sitting two thousand feet higher than Bryce Canyon which results in cool summer weather. Once in the monument, there is a five-mile rim drive with four view points to stop. The Duck Creek Visitor Center has an excellent staff to help find information for those who are visiting Cedar Mountain.
Red Canyon, a spectacular oasis of rock nested in a vast forest known to locals as "Dixie." The two-million acre, 170 mile long forest ranges from Red Canyon's arid desertscape of sandstone hoodoos to a lush high altitude forest on Cedar Mountain.
Red Canyon is located along Scenic Byway 12, just 9 miles from Bryce Canyon. Passing through it is required to get to Bryce Canyon National Park from the west. From the east, stay on Highway 12, past the junction of highways 12 and 63 for 9 miles, to find Red Canyon. As part of Dixie National Forest, rather than a national park or monument, there are no entry fees to drive through or hike in Red Canyon.
When thinking of southern Utah, many think of red sandstone. Red Canyon has this in abundance. Cooler summers and crisp winters characterize the Red Canyon recreation area. Red Canyon is set at 7400' and provides a prime area for cross country skiing, cool summer hiking, horseback riding and ATV trails. Like Bryce Canyon, Red Canyon is open year-round. Southwestern Utah is the ideal place for year-round recreation. Although both Cedar Mountain and Red Canyon are part of Dixie National Forest, they are very different.
Dixie National Forest Recreation
In the winter, there are cross-country ski trails and snowmobile trails at Duck Creek, located across the highway from Navajo Lake. There are also many timber roads on Cedar Mountain maintained for skiing and snowmobiling. Summer brings the campers and fishermen to the campgrounds and lakeside shores of the forest. Hunting season brings hoards of people dressed in orange and all year long folks are beating the dirt with camera in hand. Dixie National Forest is a haven for photographers. Wildlife and idealist scenery lure people from every corner of the world. Dixie National Forest is in a wonderland of national parks and national monuments. Smack in the middle of Cedar Mountain is the beautiful Cedar Breaks National Monument. Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and Red Canyon are all just a short drive away. Red Canyon is an interesting section of Dixie National Forest. Unlike Cedar Mountain with it's lakes, streams and groves of trees, Red Canyon is a nest of red rock hoodoos.
Utah's Dixie National Forest: Cedar Mountain
Cedar Breaks National Monument is surrounded by Utah's Dixie National Forest. From Mt. Carmel Junction, drive north on US-89 to the junction with U-14. SR-14 is known as Cedar Mountain which is the scenic byway to travel to Cedar Breaks. Once on Cedar Mountain, travel through the beautiful forest, and then turn at the signed highway to Cedar Breaks - U-148. It's 22 miles from Mt. Carmel Junction to boundary of Dixie National Forest and 45 miles to Cedar Breaks.
Utah's Dixie National Forest: Red Canyon Red Canyon is a unique part of Dixie National Forest that is not only traveled through on the way to Bryce Canyon, but it has eroded hoodoos like Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks. It is found along U-12
This lake is found while hiking the Virgin River Rim Trail on Cedar Mountain in Dixie National Forest.
Lodging and services are available on the gorgeous east side of Zion National Park, where guests are close to Zion National Park (12 miles), Bryce Canyon National Park (60 miles), Cedar Breaks National Monument (45 miles), Coral Pink Sand Dunes (12 miles), and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (85 miles). It's where city traffic is absent and the skies are bright and clean.
Utah's Dixie National Forest: Cedar Mountain
Cedar Breaks National Monument is surrounded by Utah's Dixie National Forest. From Mt. Carmel Junction, drive north on US-89 to the junction with SR-14. SR-14 is known as Cedar Mountain which is the scenic byway to travel to Cedar Breaks. Once on Cedar Mountain, travel through the beautiful forest, and then turn at the signed highway to Cedar Breaks - SR-148. It's 22 miles from Mt. Carmel Junction to boundary of Dixie National Forest and 45 miles to Cedar Breaks.
Utah's Dixie National Forest: Red Canyon Red Canyon is a unique part of Dixie National Forest that is not only traveled through on the way to Bryce Canyon, but it has eroded hoodoos like Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks. It is found along Scenic Byway 12
Mileage from
Mt. Carmel Jct.
Zion National Park 12
Bryce Canyon 60
Grand Canyon 85
Cedar Breaks 45
Grand Staircase 9
Dixie Forest 22
Sand Dunes 11
Coyote Butte 57
Red Canyon 47
Tuweep 90
Stay in the heart of the parks, Mount Carmel Junction, and visit the treasures of the Southwest and Utah.
This is my new favorite quote:
"I don't know who Mary Cisneros is, but I mean zionnational-park.com
It's a better site than the NPS's anyway."
Written by the authors of the book: Favorite Hikes in and around Zion National Park
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