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Southwest Parks
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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's Virgin River Rim Trail is open to those riding bicycles, horses or hikers.  This trail is divided into three sections for hikers.  This section begins at the Cascade Falls Trailhead and ends at the Te-ah campground.

GPS Coordinates
WGS84 Datum

Trailhead: Cascade Falls Parking Area 37°29.851 N
112°45.084 W
Elevation: 8931'

Trailend- Te-ah Campground
37°32.023 N
112°49.262 W
Elevation: 9376'

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

To post trip reports, offer corrections, updates, or for more information please visit the Southern Utah Hiking Forum

lVirgin River Rim Trail
Cascade Falls Trailhead to Te-ah Trailhead

This long bike/hike/horse trail is broken
down into three shorter hiking trails.
Cascade Falls Trailhead to Strawberry Ridge
Cascade Falls Trailhead to Te-ah Trailhead
Te-ah Trailhead to Webster Flat Road

This is the center section of the Virgin River Rim Trail system. The trail has nice views to the south into Zion National Park and an even into the Arizona Strip on a clear day. Not only are the views beautiful, but the fauna and flora during the 8 mile hike is never boring. This section of the trail generally stays on top of, or slightly below the ridge that separates Navajo Lake on the north side, from the many drainage's including Cascade Falls that flow in a southerly direction to form the Virgin River, carving its way into Zion Canyon to the south. Car shuttle setup will be required if done as a one way hike.

Virgin River Rim Trail at a Glance
Photo Album: Virgin River Rim Photos
Trail Maps: Virgin River Rim Map
Day Hike: Yes.
Distance: 8 Miles
Average Hiking Time: 6 Hours
Trail Use: Horses, bicycles, hikers
Equipment: The best map to purchase for this hike is the "Cedar Mountain/ Pine Valley Mountain" National Geographic-Trails Illustrated.
Difficulty: Moderatly strenuous. This is the most difficult of the three sections of the long biking/backpacking trail.
Trailhead: Cascade Falls Trailhead.
Trailend: Te-ah Trailhead near Navajo Lake
Trail Access: Dirt roads can be impassable if wet.
Ascending: 1350'
Descending: 1000'
Off the Beaten Path: Yes
Best Season:  Early June to Late October.

Virgin River Rim Trail: Cow Lake-Cascade Falls Trailhead to Te-ah Campground-Navajo Lake

This hike can be done as a dayhike or combined with the other sections of the Virgin River Rim Trail for a wonderful midsummer backpack trip: "Day 1"- Webster Flat Road to Te-ah Campground; "Day 2"- Te-ah Campground to Cow Lake (Cascade Falls Trailhead): "Day 3"- Cow Lake (Cascade Falls Trailhead) to Strawberry Ridge Trailend (Strawberry Point).

The trail description as written is from Cow Lake (Cascade Falls Trailhead) to Te-ah Campground Trailend, however in retrospect the hike would probably be more enjoyable starting at Te-ah Campground and finishing at Cascade Falls, culminating in a quick jaunt to Cascade Falls if energy and time permits.

Shuttle Setup - Car shuttle setup: Locate the dirt road to Navajo Lake by travelling 7.5 miles east on Highway 14 from the junction of Highway 14 and Highway 148 (The turnoff to Cedar Breaks) or travel 15 miles to the west on Highway 14 from the junction of Highway 14 and Highway 89. Turn to the south on the dirt road to Navajo Lake and travel 5.7 miles to the west end of Te-ah Campground. The road will be pavement as it passes the campground. Station the shuttle vehicle at a sharp left bend in the road (dirt road) and another dirt road that continues straight (Virgin River Rim Trail FS road).

Second Vehicle - Drive the second vehicle back the same direction toward Highway 14 for 5.3 miles and locate the dirt road that turns right to Dry Valley, Cow Lake and Cascade Falls. Follow this dirt road for 1 mile to another intersection and turn right to the Cascade Falls Trailhead. Travel 1.6 miles to the large parking area for Cascade Falls Trail and get set to begin the hike.

Virgin River Rim Trail - The trail begins at 8900' between the two outhouses. Be sure not to get on the ATV road that parallels the dirt road. The singletrack trail begins a steady climb up the hillside through the aspen, spruce, pine and fir trees. One half mile into the hike the views to the south begin to open giving glimpses of Zion National Park and Canaan Mountain. After climbing 1.25 miles the trail levels somewhat (elevation 9550') and affords an open meadow that makes an excellent rest spot. Walk to the rim where the views above Cascade Falls are unimpaired and magnificent to the south and west. The wildflowers constantly change colors and form as travel transitions from the shaded, moist wooded areas to the high open mountain meadows.

Continuing from the short break, walk in a westerly direction, but keep an eye out for the wonderful Bristlecone pines that perch on the very edge of the limestone rim to the south. The trail still climbs gently as travel maintains a westerly direction. At almost 2 miles a trail intersects from the right. This steep downhill trail to the right is the Dyke Trail. It leads down off the ridge to the north, and ends at the east end of Navajo Lake on the Navajo Lake Loop Trail.

Continuing west the trail ascends gently for the next .3 miles then switchbacks to the east and once again to the west and begins a descent to the saddle separating the summits 9710' and 9713'. During the descent, short glimpses of Navajo Lake become possible. The Spruce Campground trail enters from the north at 2.7 miles and at the saddle (9500') the trail once again skirts the rim for a brief moment and allows a view to the valley to the south, and then once again steers away from the rim descending for a short time to the north toward Navajo Lake and then begins the ascent up and out of the saddle.

Midway on the trail, 3.6 miles, the path winds through the woods, sometimes nearing the rim, the Navajo Trail intersection is crossed. The trail continues to ascend gradually and in a more northerly direction steering away from the rim but offers some periodic opportunities to see the beautiful Navajo Lake on the north side of the ridge. The trail from mile 4 now meanders and contours mostly the north side of the ridge with periodic views down into the valley below with an occasional glimpse of Navajo Lake, however at about 5.25 miles into the hike another saddle is encountered with spectacular views to the southwest and "The South Guardian Angel" of Zion National Park takes center stage.

Just a short distance from the saddle and travelling northwest at mile 5.6 is the last trail junction, "Lodge Trail" which drops to the north and ends at the Navajo Lake Lodge. The trail remains either level or descends gradually for the remainder of the hike. Many of the spruce trees that have succumbed to the "Bark Beetle" are passed by, but the low vegetation has filled in nicely and makes the hiking pleasant. At 6.5 miles the Navajo Lake Road appears just below and to the north. Keep looking to the east because at one point there is an appealing photo opportunity looking at the full length of Navajo Lake. Nearing the Te-ah Campground the trail passes through an aspen gate and a sign indicating the Virgin River Rim Trail. It is now just a stone throw to the road and the stationed shuttle vehicle.

Note: Te-Ah Campground has bathrooms with running water.

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Cedar Mountain - UTAH!

But when on shore, & wandering in the sublime forests, surrounded by views more gorgeous than even Claude ever imagined, I enjoy a delight which none but those who have experienced it can understand - If it is to be done, it must be by studying Humboldt -- Charles Darwin Photo: Dixie National Forest © Photography by Tanya

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