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Dixie
National Forest
The Dixie
National Forest occupies almost two million acres and stretches for about
170 miles across southern Utah. The largest national forest in Utah, it
straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River.
Elevations vary from 2,800 feet near St. George, Utah to 11,322 feet at
Blue Bell Knoll on Boulder Mountain. The southern rim of the Great Basin,
near the Colorado River provides spectacular scenery. Colorado River
canyons are made up of many-colored cliffs and steep-walled gorges.
The
Forest is divided into four geographic areas. High altitude forest in
gently rolling hills characterize the Markagunt, Pansaugunt, and Aguarius
plateaus. Boulder Mountain, one the largest high-elevation plateaus in the
United States, is dotted with hundreds of small lakes 10,000 to 11,000
feet above sea level.
Recreational opportunities in
the Forest are highly diversified. Visitors may enjoy camping, hunting,
viewing scenery, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing in very primitive
settings away from the sight and sounds of motorized vehicles. Others, who
prefer more developed areas and less primitive conditions, may enjoy
vehicle-based activities such as camping, picnicking, resort lodging,
recreation residence, sledding, skiing, hunting, gathering forest
products, viewing interpretive exhibits, hiking, viewing scenery, driving
for pleasure, snowmobiling, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, sailing,
swimming, water skiing, and fishing.
Wilderness: The Forest has
83,000 acres of wilderness in three areas: Pine Valley, Box-Death Hollow,
and Ashdown Gorge. Pine Valley and Ashdown Gorge offer opportunities for
solitude, horseback riding, and hiking. Box-Death Hollow offers
opportunities for solitude and hiking, but the terrain is much too rough
for horses.
Nature Study: The Dixie
National Forest supports a wide variety of wildlife species that provide
many hours of viewing and enjoyment for Forest visitors, in addition to
playing important roles in the Forest ecosystem. The variety of terrain on
the Forest which varies from gentle plateaus to rocky cliffs furnishes
habitat for many different wildlife species such as the cougar, bobcat,
blue grouse, golden eagle, cottontail rabbit, wild turkey, antelope, and
the Utah prairie dog.
Hunting: Big game hunting has
traditionally been the major wildlife attraction on the Forest, although
recently there has been an increased interest in viewing and photographing
all types of wildlife. Mule deer are harvested on every District, and elk
are expanding their range on the Forest.
Fishing: Good fishing is found
in the many lakes, reservoirs, and streams located on the Forest. Gamefish
include brook, rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. These lakes and
streams also provide important habitat for many species of wildlife other
than gamefish, and the Forest visitor can often observe many interesting
birds and mammals next to a lake, stream, or pond.
Camping: Developed facilities
are available for those who prefer to have drinking water and restrooms.
There are 26 campgrounds and 5 picnic sites on the Forest. In addition,
the Forest has several group camping areas and group picnic areas
available for those who are traveling together, and would like to camp or
picnic as a group. The group sites can be reserved by calling ahead. Some
of the campgrounds are located near lakes and reservoirs (Panguitch Lake,
Navajo Lake, Enterprise Reservoir). These areas have boating and fishing
opportunities available.
Winter Sports:
Opportunities
for winter sports, such as cross skiing and snowmobiling are available in
many of the areas. The Forest works with the State Parks to maintain some
trails for skiing and snowmobiling. There are also over a thousand miles
of timber roads that can be used for these sports.
There is also downhill skiing
at Brian Head which can accommodate 3,200 skiers at one time.
For more info on the Dixie
National Forest you can contact:
Supervisor's
Office
1789 Wedgewood Lane
Cedar City, UT 84720
(435)-865-3700
Click
Here For Camping Information And Reservations
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