Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, also known as Red Cliffs NCA, is 45,600 acres of rugged, remote terrain in southwest Utah. The Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Great Basin all converge at Red Cliffs NCA, resulting in a varied and diverse collection of plant life, animal species, and landscapes. The area is part of the larger Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and is bordered by Dixie National Forest and the Pine Valley mountains.
If you’re looking to get off the beaten trail, Red Cliffs NCA is definitely the place for you. It has two vast wilderness areas–Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness and Red Mountain Wilderness–and over 130 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails. Best of all, motorized vehicle use in Red Cliffs NCA is very restricted.
If you rather not venture too far out into the wilderness, you can still enjoy a visit to Red Cliffs NCA. Red Cliffs Recreation Area, Red Cliffs Archeological Site, and Snow Canyon State Park are interesting, easy-to-get-to locations in the Red Cliffs NCA.
Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness
Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness, covers almost 11,700 acres in the eastern part of Red Cliffs NCA. This is where the Colorado Plateau and Mojave Desert meet, and the plant and animal life here is very similar to what you’d expect to find in the Mojave Desert. Mule deer, mountain lions, bald eagles, and red-tailed hawks populate the area, along with rarer species like Gila monsters and Mojave Desert tortoises. Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness is a great place for hiking and horseback riding. However, bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed. In addition, Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness is not handicap accessible. Learn more
