Take Hwy 89 through the Dixie National Forest. Hot in summer. Beautiful area to explore.

Dixie National Forest is a United States National Forest in Utah with headquarters in Cedar City. It occupies almost two million acres (8,000 km²) and stretches for about 170 miles (270 km) across southern Utah. The largest national forest in Utah, it straddles the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River. In descending order of forestland area it is located in parts of Garfield, Washington, Iron, Kane, Wayne, and Piute counties. The majority (over 55%) of forest acreage lies in Garfield County. There are local ranger district offices in Cedar City, Escalante, Panguitch, St. George, and Teasdale.[3]

Elevations vary from 2,800 feet (850 m) above sea level near St. George, Utah to 11,322 feet (3,451 m) at Blue Bell Knoll on Boulder Mountain. The southern rim of the Great Basin, near the Colorado River, provides spectacular scenery. Colorado River canyons are made up of multi-colored cliffs and steep-walled gorges.

The Forest is divided into four geographic areas. High altitude forests in gently rolling hills characterize the Markagunt, Paunsaugunt, and Aquarius Plateaus. Boulder Mountain, one of the largest high-elevation plateaus in the United States, is dotted with hundreds of small lakes 10,000 to 11,000 feet (3,000 to 3,400 m) above sea level. The forest includes the Pine Valley Mountains north of St. George

The Forest has many climatic extremes. Precipitation ranges from 10 inches (250 mm) in the lower elevations to more than 40 inches (1,000 mm) per year near Brian Head Peak 11,307 feet (3,446 m). At the higher elevations, most of the annual precipitation falls as snow. Thunderstorms are common during July and August and produce heavy rains. In some areas, August is the wettest month of the year.

Temperature extremes can be impressive, with summer temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) near St. George and winter lows exceeding -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 degrees Celsius) on the plateau tops.

The vegetation of the Forest grades from sparse, desert-type plants at the lower elevations to stand of low-growing pinyon pine and juniper dominating the mid-elevations. At the higher elevations, aspen and conifers such as pine, spruce, and fir predominate.

The Dixie Forest Reserve was established on September 25, 1905 by the General Land Office. The name was derived from the local description of the warm southern part of Utah as "Dixie".[4] In 1906 the U.S. Forest Service assumed responsibility for the lands, and on March 4, 1907 it became a National Forest. The western part of Sevier National Forest was added on July 1, 1922, and all of Powell National Forest on October 1, 1944.[5] #RoadTrip

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Top Alton Ski Hotels

Spacious 1 Bedroom Apartment On Quiet 20 Acres

Alton

Charl S.

SAR 601 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Dec - 9 Dec

2 bedrooms, travel crib, free WiFi, bed sheets

Private Cowboy Hot Tub with Alleged UFO Sightings

Alton

"Loved this property! Kids loved sleeping on the two beds in the loft. Cabin was nicely appointed. Kitchen was a little sparse on cooking utensils (eating utensils there were plenty) but it had everything we needed. My husband enjoyed the view of the stars from the cowboy hot tub. This cabin is about 45 minutes from Panguitch Lake and 30 minutes from Panguitch and the scenery along the way was beautiful! While I didn't want to work while there, the wifi was plenty capable of handling what I...

Amanda H.

SAR 1,084 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Dec - 9 Dec

Panoramic Cliffs Retreat

Hatch

Steven B.

SAR 1,200 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Dec - 9 Dec

Nice quaint cabin in Panguitch Lake UT with a great view!

Panguitch

Austin S.

SAR 735 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Dec - 9 Dec

Home Between Zion and Bryce Canyon

Glendale

"It was a very convinient location between Zion Park and Bryce Canyon. It was a very comfortable and we found everything that we need, I really like the decoration and everything that provided. I won't take the excelent rate away, but I have couple of comments. The soap dispenser in the shower was very low in soap; and the step between the kitchen and the living room it is a little to tall, we are in our 60's and were able to manage, however someone older, may have trouble with the step. Place...

Angela S.

SAR 791 total

includes taxes & fees

7 Dec - 8 Dec