Exploring Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

October 12, 2024

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

Red Mountain Wilderness covers around 18,700 acres in the western part of Red Cliffs NCA. The area is primarily made up of Navajo sandstone, dotted with Mohave Desert plant life, such as sagebrush, scrub oak, and juniper trees. (In fact, Red Mountain is simply one massive block of Navajo sandstone.) A variety of wildlife populate Red Mountain Wilderness, including mule deer, mountain lions, coyote, bald eagles, hawks, and road runners.

Popular activities in Red Mountain Wilderness include hiking and backpacking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing. Red Mountain Wilderness is a true wilderness area, with no facilities or services, and motorized vehicles are not allowed. When visiting, come prepared. Learn more

Created in 1959, Snow Canyon State Park was one of the country’s first state parks. This relatively unknown park has the same geographical characteristics as Zion, but lacks the massive Zion crowds. Snow Canyon State Park covers 7,400 acres, and is known for its soaring red and white Navajo sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, petroglyphs, petrified sand dunes, and much more. Major activities you can enjoy in the park include sport and trad rock climbing, canyoneering, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

Keep in mind that Snow Canyon State Park is a desert environment, with little shade, and it gets very hot in the summer. Weather-wise, the best times to visit are Spring and Fall, although, if you want the park all to yourself, visit in the winter. It does get cold, but it rarely snows, and few people visit during the winter months. The park is open daily, from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. A minimal day use fee is required to enter the park. Learn more

Located just a couple of miles off I-15, Red Cliffs Recreation Area is one of the easiest places to access in Red Cliffs NCA. The area has plenty of facilities, such as picnic areas, restrooms, and handicap parking.

Red Cliffs Recreation Area is the starting point for some of Red Cliff NCA’s best-known trails. Three nearby trails are Silver Reef Trail, Anasazi Trail, and Red Reef Trail. Because it’s easy to access, Red Cliffs Recreation Area is very popular with tourists. However, designated parking in the area is extremely limited, and alternative parking locations do not exist. Get an early start to avoid the inevitable crowds. Learn more

The area that makes up the Red Cliffs Archaeological Site (Red Cliffs Anasazi Site) was inhabited by the Anasazi on-and-off from 500 A.D. and 1200 A.D. In the late 1970s, archaeologists explored the site, and discovered numerous artifacts and partial structures. While most of the artifacts they discovered were moved to Southern Utah University, remnants of the structures can still be found at the site.

All in all, Red Cliffs Archaeological Site has provided an abundance of information on the Anasazi’s way of life. If you’re a history buff, you’ll love visiting it. Getting to Red Cliffs Archaeological Site requires a half-mile hike along Red Reef East Trail or the Anasazi Trial. The site is not handicap accessible, and dogs are not allowed. Learn more