Red Canyon is located along Scenic Byway 12, just 9 miles from Bryce Canyon. Passing through it is required to get to Bryce Canyon National Park from the west. From the east, stay on Highway 12, past the junction of highways 12 and 63 for 9 miles, to find Red Canyon. As part of Dixie National Forest, rather than a national park or monument, there are no entry fees to drive through or hike in Red Canyon.
Red Canyon, a spectacular oasis of rock nested in a vast forest known to locals as "Dixie." The two-million acre, 170 mile long forest ranges from Red Canyon's arid desertscape of sandstone hoodoos to a lush high altitude forest on Cedar Mountain. Unique vermilion-colored rock formation and stands of Ponderosa pines make the canyon exceptionally scenic.
The rocks are eroded into the familiar pinnacles, spires, columns and hoodoos also found in the national park a few miles to the east, here on a smaller scale and with less color variation, and although the main road is quite busy, most visitors just drive right thru towards Bryce Canyon without stopping. This was a nice suprise discovery that I did not read in my guide books. I was glad I did take the time to stop and see these amazing red rock formations.
The Red Canyon Visitor Center, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, has information on hiking, camping, picnicking, and sightseeing. A U.S. Forest Service campground is across the road from the visitor center. Trails in Red Canyon are open year round.
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