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The Ultimate Southwest Vacation includes Dixie National Forest!

Experience the Spectacular Canyon  Country Tour

Stay in Mt. Carmel Jct., the heart of the parks, and visit the treasures of the Southwest.

Mileage: Mt. Carmel Jct.
Cedar Breaks 45 miles
Dixie Forest 22 miles
Zion National Park 12 miles
Bryce Canyon 60 miles
Grand Staircase 9 miles
Red Canyon 47 miles
Sand Dunes 11 miles
North Rim 85 miles
Toroweap 90 miles
South Canyon 75 miles

In these pages you will find insiders information on Dixie National Forest. This detailed guide includes road maps, park maps, pictures, trail beta, backpacking, history, fees, geology, flora, fauna, campgrounds and things for kids to do.

Making summer memories in the Utah national parks and Utah national monuments.

Dixie National Forest Road Map
Dixie National Forest Map

Directions to Dixie National Forest

From Salt lake City: Take I-15 south, exit at Parowan. Take U-143 south
to Dixie National Forest.
From Las Vegas: Take I-15 north to Cedar City. Take U-14 to Dixie National Forest.
From Mount Carmel Junction: Take US-89 north to U-14 and into Dixie National Forest.
From Arizona: Take US-89 north thru Mount Carmel Junction to U-14 and turn west to Dixie National Forest.

U-14 is also called the Markaguant High Plateau Scenic Byway.

Dixie National Forest

GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum

Duck Creek Visitor Center and Road to Cow Lake
37°30.947 N
112°41.944 W

Cascade Falls Trailhead
37°29.838 N
112°45.105 W

Cascade Falls Trailend
37°30.149 N
112°45.429 W

Beta: Coordinates and other trail and canyoneering information by Zion Park search and rescue veteran team member Bo Beck and www.zionnational-park author, Tanya Milligan.

Suggested Gear: A sturdy pair of shoes are recommend for canyoneering in Zion . Quality shoes will help grip the rocks and prevent injury. Experienced Zion hikers and canyoneers like the Sportiva Exum Ridge. This shoe is great for hiking, bouldering and canyoneering.

To offer corrections, updates, etc... or for more information please visit the Zion National Park and Cedar Breaks Forum

Markagunt is an Indian word meaning "highland of trees," which well describes this area since the Markagunt Plateau is one of the largest and highest plateaus in Southern Utah. The Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway, U-14 from Cedar City to its junction at US-89, is a popular recreation area known by most locals simply as Cedar Mountain. Traversing this section of Dixie National Forest, the largest national forest in Utah, is delightful. This beautiful scenic byway is lined with crowded groves of aspens, towering evergreens, ancient lava rock and a diverse display of wildflowers. Fall arrives early at this high elevation, chasing green from the aspens in October. In the forest, bright blue clean skies can be seen high above an almost endless sea of autumn leaves as they stretch as far as the eye can see. It's a treat to drive this scenic byway in September as air grows brisk and green leaves transform to red and yellow. Sitting at an elevation of 9,200 feet is picturesque Navajo Lake which can be seen from one of the pullouts near the road's summit. A quick stop lets visitors look down on the tree rimmed crystal blue body of water. Sink holes in the lake are an extremely important conduit in providing the source of water flowing from Cascade Falls and on to the North Fork of the Virgin River. Zion Narrows, the areas most famous '"trail" and one of the National Park Systems best trails, owes its existence to the flowing waters of the North Fork.

At a Glance
Day Hike: Yes
Distance: .45 miles one way or .9 miles round-trip mile.
Average Hiking Time: Allow about an hour for a casual walk and time to enjoy the waterfall at the end of the trail.
Equipment: Comfortable hiking shoes, hat, sun protection and water.
Difficulty: This is an easy hike on a maintained trail that is ideal for kids. Holding young children's hands is suggested because of the steep terrain and kids can, and often do, stumble on uneven hiking paths such as this that are intermittently covered with loose rocks and other litter of nature.
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Trail Usage: Moderate.
Permits: Not required.
Trail Conditions: This is a dirt path with slippery loose scree in sections and some wood bridges and steps on the short, steeper sections. The path should be easy for most people to walk along, however there have been injuries here so be careful and watch your step. Run-off can wash away the steps at times making the trail more difficult.
Trailhead: Turn off U-14 onto Forest Road 053 at Navajo Lake, or turn at the Duck Creek Visitor Center, 2.5 miles east of the Navajo Lake Road. Follow the signs to Cascade Falls.
Trailend: Same as trailhead
Trail Access: In early spring or late fall, check to see that U-14 is open before attempting to drive to this trailhead. During this same time of the year there might be snowy conditions rendering dirt roads impassible. The trail to Cascade Falls is located on the southwest end of Cow Lake near the back of the large parking lot.
Best Season: Summer
Elevation Change: 100 feet

Cascade Falls Trailhead:
From Cedar City: From Main Street in Cedar City, turn right on E. Center Street or U-14. Hit your odometer when you see the mileage sign on the right, then drive 24 miles passing the Navajo Lake Overlook, proceed another 3.7 miles, turning right at the Duck Creek Visitor Center on Forest Service Road 54.

From U-89: If you are coming from Long Valley Junction, which is the intersection of US-89 and U-14, drive 13 miles, then turn left at the Duck Creek Visitor Center onto Forest Service Road 54.

Duck Creek Visitor Center: Pass the visitor center, driving southwest on the dirt and gravel road. At 1.8 miles, Road 54 comes to an intersection. At this "Y" in the road, go left and travel alongside the normally dry Cow Lake for 1.6 miles to arrive at the Cascade Falls Trailhead.

Optional: The Cascade Falls Trail can also be accessed from the Navajo Lake access by turning south onto Navajo Lake Road, then traveling .3 miles to an intersection, steering left at the "Y" and looping around the ridge to arrive at the intersection at Cow Lake. Follow the road to the left alongside Cow Lake to arrive at the Cascade Falls Trailhead.

This round-trip hike is a little less than a mile long and it has few elevation changes. The route overlooks the southern edge of the Markagunt Plateau and ends at a rocky ledge with water tumbling down from a limestone cave. There is a wooden deck to stand on at the end and view the stream of water as it pours downward. It's not safe to get in the stream where it is slippery and the rocks are sharp.

This article by Bo and Tanya was published in the Today in Dixie Magazine

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Cedar Mountain - UTAH!

All nature is but art unknown to thee. - Alexander Pope Photo: Dixie National Forest © Photography by Tanya

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