Just 14 miles west of Bryce Canyon National Park on Route 12, Red Canyon in the Dixie National Forest gives a glimpse of what is to come at the grand national park down the road. It is like a little brother that lives in the shadow of his big brother who gets all the accolades. Red Canyon is perfect for sunsets and moon rises. The orange sandstone and the green pine trees glow in the setting sun. The moon ascends from behind the park and functions as the icing on the cake.

There are trails to hike and a campground if you prefer to stay the night. When covered in snow, the trails can be navigated with snowshoes or cross-country skis. One of the more photographed areas of the park are the tunnels. The tunnels are currently undergoing construction so be careful when driving through the area. Oh, and watch for passing vehicles if you insist on taking pictures of them while standing on or at the side of the road.

Framed by the blue sky, wispy clouds or none at all, this smaller version of Bryce Canyon is never ignored, but is less crowded than its larger brother to the east. If you visit Bryce Canyon, take the leisurely drive to Red Canyon. It’s only another 10 miles to the small town of Panguitch or an hour to the gorgeous Zion National Park.

For more information on Red Canyon click on the link below.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/dixie/recarea/?recid=24942