Southern ’s High Country:

Southern Utah’s High Country Islands of Diversity Dixie Fishlake Manti-La Sal National Forests DIXIE NATIONAL FISHLAKE NATIONAL

outhern Utah’s high country is made up of three national forests: the Dixie, Fishlake, and Manti-La Sal. From rugged brush covered MANTI-LA SAL NATIONAL FOREST MANTI-LA SAL NATIONAL S foothills to mature forests with dense stands of timber and lush alpine meadows, the forests’ natural wonders are the essence of the high coun- US Department of Agriculture • Forest Service try. These forests contain 5 million acres of America’s public land. Intermountain Region • Ogden, Utah 23.250.401.06/99 A Civilian history of Conservation A human infl uence Corps pavilion is readily apparent in Craggy red towers stands the test contrast with the of time on the the National Forests in green of pine and Dixie NF. Southern Utah. Span- juniper. ish explorers, trap- CCC workers place a pers, mountain men, A stately monolith campground stove circa 1933. miners and western ong before Doe on Monroe Mountain, expresses nature’s lofty attitude. pioneers followed in humans left their Fishlake NF. L A red-tailed hawk the footsteps of the mark upon the land, alert for his prey on Native Americans who the Fishlake NF. wind and water shaped occupied the land for the face of the forests. centuries. This historic Geological giants rose heritage is preserved from the valley fl oors in Native American where erosion exposed ruins, mines, pioneer unique characters of A rich heritage homes and cabins and stone. Spectacular structures built by the multi-colored cliffs and Civilian Conservation steep walled gorges Corps during the Great lined the southern rim of of natural and Depression. the Great Basin. Crystal blue lakes formed on mountain tops. Rivers Trappers found and streams carved out human history in abundant game in the Dwellings canyons and deposited Southern Utah forests. built by Anasazi fertile soil below where Indians centuries trees and other vegeta- ago have tion fl ourished. Animals Southern Utah’s stood the test of time. fi lled the forests with TULLIUS MARY new life. Today the National Forests in High Country Southern Utah are rich in nature’s heritage.

Quiet solitude on a mountain lake. Pioneers blazed trails westward in the 1800’s. UTAH STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY HISTORICAL STATE UTAH The new ummer in the life of S high county spring; a mule offers a myriad of deer Sensational . . . outdoor delights. Rock fawn. climbing, “ATVing,” high country summer and mountain biking are favored activities. Other visitors enjoy othing is more photography and beautiful than N watching the abundant late spring in Southern Tent camping in the Southern Utah forests. wildlife. Summer is the Utah’s High Country. It Spring . . . busiest time of year is heralded by rush- on the Dixie, Fishlake, ing streams, green and Manti-La Sal aspen, brilliant sun a forest awakening So much to see from a National Forests with and clean crisp air. Elk vista on the Fishlake NF. trails, campgrounds, and deer return to the recreation residences, high country from their Backpackers hike the cool recesses of the picnic areas, lodges winter range. It’s time Left Fork Huntington Creek National and resorts receiving to begin fi shing, hiking Recreation Trail on extensive use. Reser- to the snowline, or driv- the Manti-La Sal NF. vations may be made ing the Scenic Byways. for some campgrounds Visitors may choose to (see map page). A ride horseback, spend Rider and his list of outfi tters and a day with the cam- mount guides is available era, take a sprint on enjoy the from the Forests. Using a mountain bike or a balmy Horse packing spring the land safely and spin in their all-terrain on the Whipple air. Trail on the respectfully helps keep vehicle. Dixie NF. these recreation op- portunities available A prickly pear cactus fl ashes for the future. neon-pink fl owers. Canoeing in Salina Reservoir, Fishlake NF.

Spring sunshine coaxes pine tree buds into bloom. Wildfl owers grace Sevenmile Valley, Fishlake NF. now and ice S turn Southern Utah’s High Country Hot Color - into a winter wonder- land. Ice fi shermen, down-hill and cross Frosty Nights . . . country skiers, sledders, snowmobile and snow- shoe enthusiasts can utumn nights indulge in their favorite A bring freezing “cool experience” in temperatures and spec- fall in the forest the versatile terrain of tacular fall colors to the forests. Southern Utah’s High Country. The forests are renown for their dis- play of incandescent red, gold and orange leaves of the oak and aspen. Weekdays are fairly quiet in the camp- Cross-country skiing offers exhilarating sights on the grounds but trails and Manti-La Sal NF. roads remain busy with A bow hunter aims at hunters, fuelwood gath- his prey. Downhill skiing at Brian Head erers, hikers and ad- on the Dixie NF. Snowmobiling in Daniel’s Pass, Fishlake NF. venturers on all-terrain vehicles. Weekends are active as visitors take advantage of the pleas- ant fall days. All-terrain vehicles “Tread Lightly” on the Fishlake NF. Winter . . . Ice fi shing on Fish Lake.

Fall visitors time for cool experiences Fall colors begin with are attracted to Hunters are gold in the Bowns Reservoir prepared for canyons. on the Dixie NF. inclement fall weather. Utah Lake Provo River Strawberry Strawberry Duchesne For More Information 73 68 Reservoir White U T A H UINTA Dixie National Forest (DNF) ...... 435-865-3700 UINTA www.fs.fed.us/outernet/dixie_nf/welcome.htm NF ASHLEY River NF NF River Fishlake National Forest (FNF) ...... 435-896-9233 UINTA MANTI-LA SAL Manti-La Sal National Forest (MLSNF) ...... 435-637-2817 191 www.fs.fed.us/r4/mantilasal 6 NF N 6 Little Sahara Nephi 89 Price Note: There are fees for some recreation sites and campgrounds on the National Forests. Call Recreation Area ahead for information. To make campground reservations call: River 15

Price 6 National Forest Campground Reservation System ...... 1-800-280-2267 NATIONAL 191 Sevier Bridge National Park Campground Reservations ...... 800-365-CAMP Sevier Reservoir 10 Manti Green National Park and Monument information, call Utah Travel Council ...... 1-801-538-1467 FISHLAKE San River Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument ...... 435-644-4300 Delta 28 Rafael www.blm.gov/monument

Beaver State Parks and Monuments - Moab ...... 435-259-3750 6 FOREST 50 River Cedar City ...... 435-586-4497 Fillmore River 50 Green River 70 Moab Interagency Visitor Center ...... 1-800-635-6622 www.canyonlands_utah.com Arches Sevier NATIONAL 70 Moab Interagency Visitor’s Center: www.moab.net/ Lake 15 National Castle Country Regional Info. Center ...... 435-637-5060 Muddy Park 128 Richfield FOREST Sanpete Area Information: www.lofthouse.com/usa/utah/sanpete/index.html Highway/Road Conditions ...... 1-800-492-2400 257 Fish Lake 72 24 Moab Creek Avalanche awareness information and current snow and mountain weather conditions advisory River 191 21 River 70 for the Moab area: www.avalanche.org/~lsafc or (435) 259-SNOW Canyonlands MANTI-LA SAL Dirty Capitol Reef River 24 National Devil FremontHanksville Park 46 Beaver Piute Reservoir 62 River NATIONAL National Colorado 211

Sevier 20 666 TREAD LIGHTLY! Park FOREST ✔ Travel only where permitted and obey travel regulations. DIXIE NATIONAL FOREST Escalante 276 Monticello ✔ Respect the rights of others. 95 ✔ Educate yourself about public and private land boundaries. Panguitch ✔ Avoid non-durable surfaces, stream sides and waterways. 89 56 Cedar City 12 ✔ Operate your ATV safely and responsibly. Bryce River Natural Bridges Blanding Cedar Breaks 95 Canyon Glenn Canyon National Monument Hovenweep Natl Monument Grand National 191 National Natl Monument 15 Rec 276 LEAVE NO TRACE DIXIE NATIONAL Park 261 ✔ Plan ahead and prepare properly. 14 Paria Staircase - Escalante Area ✔ Camp and travel on durable surfaces. FOREST Zion 163 262 Juan ✔ Pack out what you bring into the forests. National 9 National Monument River San River ✔ Properly dispose of what you can’t pack out.

18 Park Creek Lake Powell ✔ Leave natural things where and how you found them. River 191 ✔ Rainbow Bridge 163 Minimize the use and impact of campfi res. 89 St George Kanab National Monument

Virgin Kanab The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). Page To fi le a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Offi ce of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. etting away from it“G all” takes on new meaning in the pristine beauty of the wilder- ness and back country areas of the Dixie, Fishlake and Manti- La Sal National Forests. Enjoy nature’s grandeur and “Leave No Trace” of your visit. Take only pictures and a sense of wonder from this place of perfect solitude. The paths less traveled

A unique Camp in adventure: Pink solitude in the Ledges nature wilderness walk in Red and Canyon on the backcountry. Dixie NF.

A backpacking Horseback explorers surrounded by pristine opportunity: forest on the Fishlake NF. a trail into the on the Manti- La Sal NF.

Mountain lake in the LaSal Mountains. ����� Taking the high road BACKWAY eisure driving to SCENIC L amazing places BACKWAYS via car, or recreational, Designated back- or all-terrain vehicle country roads. is a pure pleasure in Conditions may vary Southern Utah’s High from pavement to Country. Scenic Byways unmaintained dirt and Backways cross roads. Most can be the forests, allowing driven by passenger an unsurpassed view car. Be prepared of nature’s diverse and check road and offerings. Off road weather conditions and all-terrain vehicles before starting. must “Tread Lightly” on unpaved forest roads and trails. Call ahead for road conditions. Mountain biking in Taylor’s Flat, Fishlake NF. Campgrounds and picnic areas are conve- niently located along these travelways.

SCENIC BYWAYS Scenic Byways and Backways Regularly traveled lead visitors to more major roads that offer adventures. All-terrain vehicle trails to Scenic Backways are clearly marked. a unique combinations of recreational adventures and scenic Fall colors attract photographers on scenic drive. attractions. Rock tunnel in scenic Red Canyon on the Dixie NF. Southern Utah’s high country neighbors State and National Parks and Monuments

he Dixie, Fish- Tlake and Manti- La Sal National Forest’s high country is surrounded by a neighborhood of national and state Angels Landing, parks and monu- Zion National ments, rugged plains, Park. high deserts and pastoral low country. A visit to this Southern Utah neighborhood, Goblin Valley State Park. Bicycling in where everyone feels Canyonlands welcome, is a feast of National Park. outdoor adventure. Capitol Dome, Capitol Reef National Navajo Trail, Bryce Canyon Monument. National Park. MARY TULLIUS MARY VICTOR JACKSON VICTOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PARK NATIONAL