Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest

A few days before we were ready to leave Bryce, I decided to head out to Red Canyon on a blue sky day.  We came to Bryce via 1-15 so we drove through Red Canyon before arriving at Bryce.  Red Canyon is a nice surprise as you head into the Hoodoo area.  As you're driving around you see typical mountain ranges and valleys and then BAM!, these gorgeous red mountains just appear right out of nowhere!

If you're coming in from I-15, you will come to the Dixie National Forest Sign and parking area that announces Red Canyon via Hwy 12 and your first glimpse into the wonders this canyon holds.  There are placards to explain where you are and what you can expect while you're in Red Canyon.

As you drive around the bend, there are amazing things to look at.  There are plenty of places to park along the road way.  The area are really mini hoodoos similar to Bryce Canyon.

The visitor center is one of the first things you see when you come into the area.  It's tucked away under a red mountain and looks diminished among the landscape.  Of course, Smokey Bear is there, too.  There's plenty of parking for cars, truck and motorhomes or RVs.

At the visitor center you can get maps of the area that explains all the hiking, bike, ATV and horse trails that are all around Red Canyon.

As you exit the visitor center there is a sign to an old historic cabin...but I never found it.  Instead, at the far end of the parking lot, I did find the old Podunk Guard Station.  It was constructed in 1928 and used by generations of Forest Service employees.  It's a two-room guard station.  Podunk got the name from a Paiute Indian named Po Dunk, who had become lost in the area.  The area was named after him and guard station was named after the area, thus Podunk.

Before I left, Smokey Bear looked at me with his puppy dog eyes asked if I'd take my photo with him.  Since he's a famous guy, I went ahead and said I would.

After leading the visitor center, you come to the twin tunnels.  The height restrictions say 13'6" however, I think they are taller.  The first tunnel seems smaller and the second tunnel, a bit taller.  Just before we came to Red Canyon, we saw the notice of 13' 6" restriction and were concerned.  Since there are fifth wheels and motor-homes at the Ruby's Inn Campground, we knew that we should fit...otherwise, how could they get to Ruby's Inn?  So, we went for it and drove right down the middle of the tunnels.  Here's a photo of a bus going through the tunnel.  We're a foot taller than buses and motor-homes and he fit through just fine.  With us going right down the middle, it gave us just that much more room.  I think the 13' 6" is for the side of the tunnels if you stay in your lane...if you do go down the middle of the lane, be slow and cautious because cars zip around the bend of both tunnels.

Red Canyon, like Navajo Lake, is part of the Dixie National Forest - a major part of Southern Utah.  The very best thing about Red Canyon is that there is a very long biking trail connecting it all the way to Bryce Canyon City and into Bryce Canyon National Park!  That's a whole lot of biking trail, my friends!  Some of the time, the trail is right along the road and other times, the trail disappears into Red Canyon.  Recently, there was a great deal of rain and it did flood out one small section of the road, but for the most part, it's a fabulous 21 mile biking trail!

Here's a few more photos of Red Canyon.  It's such an interesting place.

Red Canyon also has two campgrounds - Red Canyon Campground and Equestrian Campground.  With all the hiking, biking, ATV, horse trails and campgrounds, Red Canyon should also be part of a vacation getaway.