The forest covers parts of the Grand Staircase, a sequence of sedimentary rock layers that span roughly 600 million years of Earth's history.
Cedar Breaks National Monument is an 'island' managed by the National Park Service located entirely within the forest's boundaries.
The forest includes the Red Canyon area, famous for its intense red-colored limestone hoodoos similar to those found in Bryce Canyon.
It contains the headwaters for several major streams that feed into both the Sevier River and the Virgin River watersheds.
The Markagunt Plateau is home to lava fields and cinder cones that represent relatively recent volcanic activity in the geological timeframe.
Pando, the world's largest known organism by mass—a clonal colony of a single male quaking aspen—is located within the Fishlake National Forest adjacent to the Dixie, with similar clonal colonies present in the Dixie.
The forest is home to the rare Bristlecone pine, some of which are among the oldest living organisms on Earth.
Dixie National Forest encompasses nearly two million acres of diverse terrain, stretching across the high-altitude plateaus of southern Utah. The landscape ranges from low-elevation desert scrub and pinyon-juniper woodlands to high-elevation alpine forests of spruce, fir, and aspen. Notable geological features include the colorful limestone formations of the Pink Cliffs and the volcanic remnants of the Markagunt Plateau. The forest spans the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River drainage systems. Elevations within the forest vary from 2,800 feet to over 11,300 feet at Blue Bell Knoll. The area provides habitat for diverse wildlife including elk, mule deer, and various raptors. Multiple wilderness areas, such as Ashdown Gorge and Box-Death Hollow, are protected within its boundaries. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service with headquarters located in Cedar City.
Red Canyon overlook along Scenic Byway 12.
Download offline maps before arrival, as cellular service is highly unreliable or non-existent in deep canyons and high elevations.
Prepare for significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, even during the summer months, due to the high elevation.
Always check current fire restriction levels and road status with the Forest Service office before entering backcountry areas.
Attempting to drive on unmaintained forest roads in standard passenger vehicles after rainfall, as they become impassable mud.
High-elevation roads and campgrounds are typically inaccessible due to heavy snowpack from late autumn through late spring.
Practice 'Leave No Trace' principles, adhere to all posted fire restrictions, and maintain distance from wildlife.
