There are many people who drive through Red Canyon on U.S. Scenic Highway 12 on their way to beautiful Bryce Canyon. Dave and Jan did it a number of times before stopping to camp at the nearby Red Canyon Forest Service campground. An evening hike up the Buckskin trail, followed the next day by a hike on the Thunder Mountain Trail and the Red Canyon Trail made it evident that Red Canyon deserves far more than a drive through! But the return to Red Canyon for another camping experience provided some excellent hiking across the highway near the Visitor Center and the nearby Cassidy Trail the third full week of September 2023.

The Red Canyon Visitor Center is not open during much of the year. Dave and Jan got in on one of its last days for the season, but the best part of the Visitor Center is the trail system which leaves from the center parking lot. A Thursday evening walk on the Birdseye Trail provided some beautiful views of the varied rock formations of Red Canyon.

A hike on Friday from the Cassidy Trailhead provided views of the nice variety in red rock country.

Taking the Rich Trail which diverged from the Cassidy Trail led up to ledge views back into Red Canyon.

The trail leads from Cassidy to the Rich Trail to the Ledge Trail to the scenic overlook at Braydon Point.

Color Country forests include many examples of the artistic woodwork which anchors trees to the soil.

Another visit to the trails west of the Visitor Center occurred on the way home on Saturday morning.

Red Canyon was Dave and Jan’s last camping outing for the 2022-2023 season. The camping trailer has been winterized (to prevent frozen pipes in months ahead), and the first snows have fallen on the mountains above Cedar City so, though there are still pleasant hikes closer to home, it probably won’t be long before there are winter sports to enjoy. But it has been another enjoyable camping season around the area in southwest Utah and into north central Nevada. Dave and Jan are very grateful for such nice scenery to enjoy – product of the amazing creativity of the Lord and creator of it all!