Red Canyon Recreation Area

Hiking

This page presents information on hiking within the Red Canyon Recreation Area in Utah.

There are many short trails near the campground and Visitor Center, and several longer hikes a bit farther out.

Check our personal notes for detailed descriptions of these trails:

Arches Trail (No. 3085)
Distance:	.7 mile loop	Rating:	Easy to Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	183 feet
Trailhead:	Start at the Losee Canyon trailhead parking area.
Description:	There are over 15 small arches. The trail has steep sections with steps.

Birdseye Trail (No. 3097)
Distance:	0.8 miles one way	Rating:	Easy to Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	100 feet
Trailhead:	Begins at the Red Canyon Visitor Center.
Description:	Hike through geologic formations known as hoodoos overlooking Highway 12, offering a bird's eye view. There are some steep slopes along the side of the trail.

Buckhorn Trail (No. 3037)
Distance:	0.9 miles one way	Rating:	Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	500 feet
Trailhead:	Begins in the Red Canyon Campground between site #24 and 26.
Description:	The trail has many switchbacks through a mixed conifer forest to a vantage point overlooking the canyon. Several benches are located along the trail.

Cassidy Trail (No. 3093)
Distance:	9 miles one way	Rating:	Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	496 feet
Trailhead:	At the Red Canyon Trailhead
Description:	Winds through spectacular red rock scenery and majestic ponderosa pines as it heads north to Bryton Point. Has great overlooks.

Castle Bridge Trail (No. 3096)
Distance:	1.8 miles one way	Rating:	Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	484 feet
Trailhead:	Begins 0.5 miles from the Golden Wall trailhead.
Description:	Boasts spectacular scenery and unique red rock formations. There are several steep sections.

Casto Canyon Trail (No. 3089)
Distance:	5.5 miles one way	Rating:	Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	800 feet
Trailhead:	At the Casto Canyon trailhead.
Description:	See colorful formations and classic canyon scenery. ATVs are allowed on this trail.

Golden Wall Trail (No. 3095)
Distance:	2.8 miles one way	Rating:	Easy
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	505 feet
Trailhead:	Begins on Highway 12 just west of the Red Canyon Visitor Center and ends at the Buckhorn Trail.
Description:	Expect to see large ponderosa pines and golden rock walls amid beautiful red rock layers.

Hoodoo Trail (No. 3011)
Distance:	0.3 mile loop	Rating:	Easy
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	30 feet
Trailhead:	Begins on the west side of the Red Canyon Visitor Center.
Description:	Walk under the hoodoos, through sagebrush, pinyon, and juniper trees.

Inspiration Point Trail
Distance:		Rating:	Easy
Elevation:		Total Ascent:
Trailhead:	At its junction with the Thunder Mountain Tail
Description:	Views of spectacular red rocks.

Ledge Point Trail (No. 3091)
Distance:	0.5 mile loop	Rating:	Easy to Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:
Trailhead:	At its junction with the Rich Trail.
Description:

Losee Canyon Trail (No. 3090)
Distance:	2.9 miles one way	Rating:	Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	570 feet
Trailhead:	Begin at the Losee Canyon trailhead.
Description:	The trail travels along a wash bed surrounded by red rock formations and a mixed conifer forest.

Photo Trail (No. 3099)
Distance:	0.1 miles one way	Rating:	Easy
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	90 feet
Trailhead:	Across Highway 12 from the western-most pull out.
Description:	This short scenic trail climbs to a ridge overlooking Red Canyon to the east and the Sevier River valley to the west.

Pink Ledges Trail (No. 3074)
Distance:	0.4 miles one way	Rating:	Easy
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	200 feet
Trailhead:	Begins at the Red Canyon Visitor Center.
Description:	Hike through hoodoos, ponderosa pines, and back to the Visitor Center. An interpretive map is available from the Visitor Center that explains the numbered stops along the trail.

Rich Trail (No. 3092)
Distance:	2 miles one way	Rating:	Easy to Moderate
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	489 feet
Trailhead:	Begin 0.5 miles from the Red Canyon trailhead.
Description:	This trail passes through red rock formations and a variety of vegetation types.

Thunder Mountain Trail (No. 3098)
Distance:	12 miles one way	Rating:	Moderate to Strenuous
Elevation:		Total Ascent:	1,190 feet
Trailhead:	Begins at the Coyote Hollow trailhead on the east side, or from its junction with the Grand View Trail on the west side.
Description:	The trail passes through ponderosa and bristlecone pine forests at higher elevations, and pinyon and juniper forests at lower elevations. Spectacular red and pink rock hoodoos are abundant along the trail with some narrow ridge lines.

Cairn.