Red Canyon Hiking
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Red Canyon
Botanical Area
When traveling Scenic Byway 12, an All American Highway, you will be treated to a four-mile drive through spiraling red rock hoodoos. The red rocks line the edge of a long escarpment called Sunset Cliffs. Red Canyon is a place of extremes including the soil. The soil is high in limestone,
(tertiary Claron limestone)
but a few plants, limestone lovers, have adapted to the harsh conditions. In fact, there are seven plants growing in Red Canyon that are found no where else in the world. The Forest Service has taken steps to protect the unique plants by setting up the Red Canyon Botanical Area. This area is open to public viewing, but please watch your step around the rare vegetation. To get to the view area from the Red Canyon Visitor Center, travel Highway 12 east for 4 miles, looking for a dirt road to the right. Turn right on the road and follow it for about 2 miles.
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Red Canyon Hiking Trails
For more hiking information stop at the Red Canyon Visitor Center. It is located along the main highway and is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Arches Trail
This trail is named for the arches in the area. This is a nice cove and a great family hike.
.7 miles - easy to moderate
Birdseye Trail
The Birdseye Trail is a hike that takes you up close to some of the red rock formations. It is named for the "bird shaped head" rock overlooking the area. This trail can be followed to the Photo Trail.
moderate - .75 mile
Buckhorn Trail
This hike switchbacks as it climbs for about a mile leading high above the canyon . This is one of the hikes that is a must do in Red Canyon.
.9 mile - moderate to strenuous
Castle Bridge Trail
This hike offers great scenery of the areas eroded rock formations.
.65 mile - moderate
Golden Wall Trail
This uphill climb connects to the Buckhorn Trail. The panoramic view at the trails end is worth the climb. This trail also connects to the Castle Bridge Trail.
2.8 mile - moderate to strenuous trail
Pink Ledges Trail
This hike shows of some of the more outstanding formations in Red Canyon.
1 mile trail - easy to moderate
Tunnel Trail
The path leads through a wash and into a forested section, ascending 300 ft. along a ridge. This hike is a good one for kids, offering a round trip that is less than 2 miles and great views along the way.
.7 mile - moderate trail |
Trails Open to
Hiking, Horses, Bikes & OHV
Barney Cove Trail
This trail is used primarily as a connector trail between the Casto Canyon and Fremont ATV trails.
1.9 mile - moderate
Cassidy Trail
This trail is named from the infamous Butch Cassidy.
8.9 mile - strenuous
Casto Canyon Trail
This trail is open to hiking, horses and OHV's. There are great views of the red rocks along this hike.
5.5 mile - moderate to strenuous
Ledge Point Trail
This trail ends at an overlook of Red Canyon.
.6 mile - easy
Losee Canyon Trail
This trail is open for hiking, bikes and horses.
2.9 mile - moderate
Rich Trail
This trail connects with the Cassidy Trail.
2.1 mile - moderate to strenuous
Thunder Mountain Trail
The red rocks on the lower section of the trail are outstanding.
7.8 mile - moderate to strenuous
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Scenic Byway 12
Red Canyon is located between east Zion and Bryce Canyon making it a must do stop on your Utah vacation. |
 Nature Notes Red Canyon is a valley that passes through the side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Between 1932 and 1938 a highway was built through Red Canyon which increased tourism to the area. Today Red Canyon sits along America's first "All American Highway," which across 124 miles, connects Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon with Capitol Reef National Park.
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