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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

This 2.2-mile loop at Red Canyon leads you through various trails showcasing ponderosa pines, captivating red rock formations, and a range of pathways to explore. Unlike the busy atmosphere of nearby Bryce National Park, Red Canyon offers a quieter experience, making it a pleasant stop along the way. With multiple route choices, this is a great place to make your own adventure along the variety of trails or follow the recommended loop.

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 with improvements by Wild Mesa Marley

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 5 votes

#2

in Red Canyon

#4176

Overall
  3.8 from 5 votes
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Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Red Canyon

#240

in Utah

#4,176

Overall
7 Views Last Month
5,397 Since Jul 17, 2017
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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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Jan 19, 2020
Veronica Gerhard
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