Red Canyon on Scenic Byway 12

Hiking Trails in Red Canyon

Red Canyon's trail system is one of its best-kept secrets. It’s less crowded than Bryce, but just as scenic. Most trailheads are within a few minutes of the Visitor Center, so you can easily string a couple of hikes together in a single morning.

Birdseye Trail - 0.8 miles, moderate
A short climb rewards you with close-up views of Red Canyon's red rock spires. It's a great option if you only have an hour to spare but still want that classic hoodoo scenery.

Tunnel Trail - 1.4 miles round trip, moderate
Starting near the iconic tunnels, this trail switchbacks its way up to a viewpoint high above the canyon floor, giving you a bird's-eye look down at the tunnels and the highway winding beneath them.

Buckhorn Trail - 2 miles round trip, moderate
Beginning at the Red Canyon Campground, Buckhorn Trail climbs to a vantage point overlooking the canyon. Follow the signs and you can extend your hike onto the longer Golden Wall Trail, which connects to Castle Bridge Trail and loops back toward the Visitor Center.

Pink Ledges Trail - easy, interpretive
A flat, family-friendly walk through hoodoos and ponderosa pines, with numbered stops along the way. Pick up a trail guide at the Visitor Center to learn what you're looking at as you go.

Arches Trail - 0.7 miles, easy to moderate
Don't let the short distance fool you. This little loop passes more than a dozen small natural arches and windows carved into the rock. The trailhead sits off Casto Canyon/Losee Canyon Road, about 2 miles down an unpaved road, so a higher-clearance vehicle helps.

Thunder Mountain Trail - ~8 miles, singletrack
A favorite among mountain bikers, this ridge-top trail winds through red rock hoodoos with sweeping views over the canyon below.

Biking in Red Canyon

Red Canyon is one of the few places in the area where mountain biking among the hoodoos is welcome - something Bryce Canyon National Park itself doesn't allow. The paved Red Canyon Bicycle Trail runs 5 miles alongside Highway 12, winding through a ponderosa pine forest between Red Canyon and the upper Paunsaugunt Plateau, with access points to the Grand View Trail and Thunder Mountain Trail. It's a popular out-and-back ride for road cyclists of nearly any skill level, with the first stretch climbing gradually before leveling out.

In the winter months, the paved trail is also a very popular throughway for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even sledding.

Casto Canyon ATV & OHV Trail

Prefer four wheels? Red Canyon offers some of the best off-highway vehicle access in the area. The Casto Canyon Trail winds through colorful canyon scenery and connects to a larger network of OHV routes across the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Check with the Visitor Center for current trail conditions and any seasonal restrictions.

Red Canyon Visitor Center

Begin your visit at the Red Canyon Visitor Center, operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Here you'll find trail maps, camping information, and details on sightseeing points of interest throughout the canyon. Inside, you'll find interpretive displays exploring the canyon's geology and history; outside, a picnic area, drinking water, restrooms, and a campground just across the byway.

Location: From Panguitch, Utah, head east on Highway 89 for about 7 miles to the turnoff for Highway 12. Follow Highway 12 east for roughly 3.5 miles, and you'll find the Visitor Center near the Red Canyon Campground. Bryce Canyon National Park is just 13 miles further along this same route.

Contact: (435) 676-2676

Amenities: Interpretive displays, picnic tables, parking, accessible restroom facilities, and drinking water.

Season: Open mid-spring through late fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entrance fee for Red Canyon? 
No. Red Canyon is part of Dixie National Forest and free to visit. There's no entrance station or fee, unlike Bryce Canyon National Park just up the road.

How long is the Red Canyon bike trail? 
The paved Red Canyon Bicycle Trail runs 5 miles alongside Highway 12, connecting Red Canyon to the upper Paunsaugunt Plateau, with access to additional singletrack trails like Thunder Mountain for more experienced riders.

Can you hike near the tunnels? 
Yes. The Tunnel Trail starts right near the arch tunnels and climbs to a viewpoint looking down over them - one of the best vantage points in the canyon.

Is Red Canyon worth stopping at on the way to Bryce Canyon? 
Absolutely. Many visitors drive straight through on their way to Bryce, but Red Canyon has its own scenery, hiking trails and biking routes, and is easily worth an hour or two, even on a tight schedule.

Are dogs allowed on Red Canyon trails? 
Yes, leashed dogs are permitted on most Red Canyon trails, since it's national forest land rather than a national park. Always check current Forest Service guidelines before you go.