Dixie National Forest and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument are the lesser-known playgrounds in Southern Utah where you’ll find some of the best hidden gem slot canyons, waterfalls, and outdoor adventures in all of Bryce Canyon Country. Look beyond the national park for all of the fun and none of the hassle.
This story was created in partnership with Bryce Canyon Country.
Red Canyon vs Bryce Canyon
Free: That’s the feeling you get when visiting Red Canyon, in more ways than you can imagine. A smaller kin to nearby Bryce Canyon, Red Canyon is a step towards solitude and away from the crowds of the big-name spots. Furthermore, there’s no entrance fee to this area! Walk among towering hoodoos in silence. Located in Dixie National Forest, feel the uniquely different textures of pine and pastel sandstone. Crawl through hidden ATV and biking trails in solace, and wish upon stars in the silence of night. If you’re lucky enough to have a place like Red Canyon to yourself, make the most of it with the full catalogue of adventures in the area.
Willis Creek
The first time I walked through a slot canyon, it was an unreal feeling. Gorgeous sandstone so perfectly smooth and curved, one would believe it to be an artistic installation. However, carved instead by scores of flash floods and wind erosion, slot canyons like Willis Creek are uniquely natural slits through otherwise impenetrable rock. Towering on either side give the illusion you are walking through a mountain, not traversing one!
Willis Creek runs through parts of Dixie National Forest, but the slot canyon is located at Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The creek itself flows through the canyon, so come prepared to get your feet wet. Be sure to bring sturdy shoes, more than enough water, and possibly an umbrella for shade. Hikers tend to underestimate the energy-sucking power of a desert sun, but it is real and unrelenting! Stay safe, and always remember to leave no trace.
Calf Creek Falls
With so much public land in Bryce Canyon Country, it’s relatively easy to venture off the beaten path. National monuments like Grand Staircase Escalante are vastly underrated but also unsullied. For instance, no one would expect a waterfall as incredible as Lower Calf Creek Falls in the middle of the Utah dessert! Sandstone pillars weave with perfect pine, dotting your journey along the trail. The true reward, the waterfall, comes into view at the end of the hike. Greenery grows freely, even behind the spray of the lower falls, adding contrast to a well-aged scene of natural beauty. The smaller Upper Falls only add to its height and wonder. Its well worth a swim, and a picture! (or twenty!)
Bryce Canyon Country is a place with a new discovery around every corner, so be sure to spread out! Furthermore, stretching your adventure radius mean stretching your contributions to the local economy, not just the national parks of Utah. Bryce Canyon is as beautiful as its gold mine of landscapes and geologic history! With towns like Escalante, Boulder, Tropic, and Panguitch, and lesser-known adventures in places like Dixie National Forest and Grand Staircase Escalante, you’ll find yourself extending the vacation and taking your time, which is the true way to experience Southern Utah.
