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Four short trails next to Red Canyon Visitor Center that explore spectacular red hoodoos, alcoves, and other formations.


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Map Key

2.2

Miles

3.6

KM

88%

Runnable

7,329' 2,234 m

High

7,114' 2,168 m

Low

360' 110 m

Up

374' 114 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (4°)

24%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers

There are no fees to visit Red Canyon and no permits are required for these trails.

Overview

The Red Canyon gets its name from the area near the Visitor Center visited by these four short trails. I have shown them as one longer run that explores the entire area, but you can break it up anyway that you want. Even from the middle of individual trails, there are trails of use that will take you back to the Visitor Center or the road. There are no signs telling people to stay on the trails, and there are many trails of use going up to ridges or into the formations. This can be confusing.

When you approach a sharp bend in the trail, there may be a prominent trail of use going straight ahead, usually steeply up a hill, which may cause you to not notice the turn made by the real trail. If the trail starts to seem precarious or so steep that you have traction problems, then you are on a trail of use, not a main trail.

Description

The Pink Ledges Trail is a self-guided interpretive trail. It has numbered posts that are explained by a map obtained at the Visitor Center. The trail starts from the far side of the Visitor Center parking lot. It has moderately steep sections as it climbs past hoodoos, alcoves, and other formations along the cliffs. It returns back near the Visitor Center after only 0.4 miles.

The Hoodoo Trail is the shortest and easiest of the four trails. It climbs only 30 feet in 0.3 miles, but it takes you to the base of some towering hoodoos near the road. It starts from just west of the Visitor Center at the first turnout, or you could connect to it from the Pink Ledges Trail as I have shown.

The Birdseye Trail #33097 starts from the same turnout as the Hoodoo Trail. In spite of the name, it only climbs 100 feet in 0.8 miles, but it provides close-up views of some of the best formations. In places, the side of the trail slopes off somewhat steeply (but nothing like a cliff). The trail ends at the second turnout west of the Visitor Center.

The Photo Trail is a short trail that climbs 90 feet to a ridge where there are sweeping views to the east and south of Red Canyon and of the Sevier River Valley to the west. It starts from the same turnout where the Birdseye Trail #33097 ends, or you could connect to it from a short ways up the Birdseye Trail #33097.

It is about 0.5 miles back to the Visitor Center on the Bryce Canyon to Red Canyon Bike Trail across the road from the Birdseye and Photo trailheads.

Flora & Fauna

Sagebrush and conifers such as pinyon, juniper and ponderosa pine

Contacts

Shared By:

Lee Watts

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 4 votes

#1

in Red Canyon

#4574

Overall
  3.8 from 4 votes
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#1

in Red Canyon

#214

in Utah

#4,574

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Photos

Rock formations that really look like people
Oct 17, 2017 near Panguitch, UT
Looking southeast across Red Canyon from the Birdseye Trail. On the distant ridge in the right center, you can see the Golden Wall.
Jul 19, 2017 near Panguitch, UT
View from Pink Ledges Trail
Oct 17, 2017 near Panguitch, UT
Red Canyon hoodoos
Oct 17, 2017 near Panguitch, UT
At the pull-off near the start of the Hoodoo Trail.
Jul 28, 2017 near Panguitch, UT
Near the Bryce Canyon to Red Canyon Bike Path.
Jul 28, 2017 near Panguitch, UT

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