Red Canyon

Red Canyon

Red Canyon   |  Jay Dash

"Stumbled upon." "By accident." "Surprised by." That’s how some visitors happen to find Red Canyon. As Bryce Canyon’s lesser-known neighbor, Red Canyon inherits road travelers en route to the national park, but stuns them when Scenic Byway 12 runs directly through two red-rock arch tunnels.

The winding highway displays orange-red pinnacles, spires, columns and hoodoos. These limestone and sandstone formations line the road making it easy for drivers to stop for photo ops. But for those looking to stay longer, Red Canyon offers camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-roading.

Anchored by the town of Panguitch, Red Canyon makes up a small part of Dixie National Forest’s 170-mile wide nature preserve. Note: This is not the Red Canyon in northeastern Utah’s Ashley National Forest near Flaming Gorge National Recreation Center, nor is this the Red Canyon Slot in Kanab, Utah.

Utah's Scenic Byways Explore Dixie National Forest

Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest

Things to Do

Red Canyon’s vibrant rusty-red soil and hoodoo rock spires tease up the route to Bryce Canyon National Park from the roadside.

Red Canyon’s vibrant rusty-red soil and hoodoo rock spires tease up the route to Bryce Canyon National Park from the roadside.

Photo: Jay Dash

Red Canyon has something for any biker. All cyclists can enjoy an out-and-back journey along the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail.

Red Canyon has something for any biker. All cyclists can enjoy an out-and-back journey along the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail.

Photo: Kevin Winzeler

While Bryce Canyon National Park prohibits off-road biking, Red Canyon welcomes mountain bikes.

While Bryce Canyon National Park prohibits off-road biking, Red Canyon welcomes mountain bikes.

Photo: Scott Markewitz

Where to Stay

Camping

The Red Canyon Campground is easy to find from the highway and only 0.6 miles past the Red Canyon Visitor Center. Surrounded by Pink Claron Limestone formations and ponderosa pines, campground amenities inlcude drinking water, flushable toilets, showers, a dump station, garbage disposal and 37 campsites with picnic tables, fire pits and tent pads. Campsites are first-come, first-served. A day-use area for groups can accommodate up to 100 people. 

RV & Hotel Lodging

Red Canyon visitors opting for indoor accommodations can choose from quaint and clean hotels touting Western charm in nearby Panguitch and Bryce Canyon City, Utah.

Need an RV hook-up? RV parks sprinkle the highways leading toward Red Canyon and into Bryce Canyon National Park. Ruby’s Inn in Bryce Canyon City features hotel lodging, cabins, tipis, tent camping and 250 pull-through sites with electrical and water hookups. Bryce Canyon Pines Campground, also in Bryce Canyon City, offers more than two dozen RV sites with full hook-ups.

01

4 Days

The Complete Bryce Canyon Trip

Planning a trip to Bryce Canyon National Park? Explore these local-favorite destinations in the Bryce Canyon region to make the most of your trip!

Hiking, Scenic Drives/Road Trips

Highlights

See Itinerary

02

7 Days

Hoodoos and Stars

Hoodoos and Stars takes advantage of the proximity of Zion, Bryce and Capitol Reef national parks to slow down and also experience some of the must-see southwestern Utah landscapes and experiences along the way.

Camping & Backpacking, Hiking, Kid-Friendly, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Stargazing

Highlights

See Itinerary

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