The Dixie National Forest is approximately 2 million acres, stretching across 170 miles of southwestern Utah. The forest encompasses hundreds of miles of trails, and 83,000 acres of wilderness in four wilderness areas; Pine Valley Mountain, Ashdown Gorge, Cottonwood Forest, and Pine Valley Mountain.
The Forest straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River, and is adjacent to Zion National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Bryce Canyon National Park. Elevations vary between 2,800 feet to 11,322 feet.
The Dixie is loved for its spectacular scenery, from high mountain meadows and lakes to multicolored cliffs and steep-walled gorges. Vegetation on the Dixie changes from sparse, desert plants at the lower elevations to stands of low-growing pinyon pine and juniper dominating the mid-elevations. At higher elevations, aspen and conifers such as pine, spruce and fir predominate.
The forest offers ample recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, fishing, winter sports, equestrian trails, hunting and fishing, caving, climbing, off highway riding, scenic drives, and water activities. Wildflower blooms and wildlife viewing are also popular recreational activities on the forest. There is something for everyone to enjoy on the forest!
There are four Ranger Districts on the Dixie National Forest, the Pine Valley Ranger District (St. George, UT), Cedar City Ranger District (Cedar City,UT), Powell Ranger District (Panguitch, UT), and Escalante Ranger District (Escalante, UT.) The Dixie National Forest Supervisor’s Office headquarters is located in Cedar City, UT.
