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ForestMatters, LLC

Intermountain

2 forests, 16 trails

National Forests

Alpine basin with snow-streaked peaks rising above Milk Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness, Ashley National Forest, Utah

Ashley National Forest

Utah1,373,000 acres

Ashley National Forest in northeastern Utah encompasses the High Uintas Wilderness and the shores of Flaming Gorge Reservoir, offering Utah's highest summit and some of the most remote alpine hiking in the Intermountain West.

8 min read

Expansive view of Table Cliffs Plateau with colorful sandstone formations under a blue sky, Dixie National Forest, Utah

Dixie National Forest

Utah1,878,600 acres

Dixie National Forest covers 1.88 million acres of southern Utah's Colorado Plateau, encompassing the Pink Cliffs, Boulder Mountain, and terrain adjacent to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, one of the most visually striking national forests in the American West.

6 min read

Trails

easyout-and-back

Browns Park Trail

5 mi400 ft gain
April through October

A gentle riverside walk through the remote Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge area on the Green River, adjacent to Ashley National Forest in northeastern Utah and northwestern Colorado.

4 min read

easyout-and-back

Flaming Gorge Rim Trail

6 mi300 ft gain
April through October

A 6-mile out-and-back trail along the canyon rim above Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Ashley National Forest, offering sweeping views into the red-walled canyon and reservoir without significant elevation demands.

4 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Henry's Fork Basin

13 mi2,800 ft gain
July through September

A 13-mile out-and-back through Henry's Fork Basin in Ashley National Forest's High Uintas Wilderness, reaching some of the most scenic alpine lake country in the Intermountain West without requiring a full summit of Kings Peak.

5 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Kings Peak via Henry's Fork

28 mi5,200 ft gain
July through September

The standard route to Utah's highest point, Kings Peak at 13,534 feet, via Henry's Fork Basin in Ashley National Forest. A serious 28-mile round trip through the High Uintas Wilderness.

6 min read

easy-moderateloop

Sheep Creek Canyon Geological Area Loop

4 mi600 ft gain
April through October

A 4-mile loop through Sheep Creek Canyon in Ashley National Forest, passing through dramatically tilted rock strata and fossil-rich geology along the edge of Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

4 min read

easyout-and-back

Spirit Lake Trail

3.5 mi400 ft gain
July through September

A short 3.5-mile out-and-back trail to Spirit Lake in Ashley National Forest's High Uintas, passing through spruce-fir forest to a scenic alpine lake at 10,100 feet.

4 min read

moderateout-and-back

Swift Creek Trail

8 mi1,400 ft gain
June through October

An 8-mile out-and-back through Swift Creek Canyon on the south slope of the Uinta Range in Ashley National Forest, climbing from high desert into aspen-spruce forest with views of the Uinta crest.

4 min read

moderate-hardout-and-back

Uinta Highline Trail Section

10 mi1,500 ft gain
July through September

A 10-mile out-and-back sampling of the 104-mile Uinta Highline Trail in Ashley National Forest, traversing open tundra above treeline with views across the High Uintas Wilderness.

4 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Boulder Mountain Summit Trail

9 mi2,300 ft gain
July through September

The Boulder Mountain Summit Trail climbs to the highest accessible point on Boulder Mountain at over 11,000 feet, offering sweeping views across the Colorado Plateau on a strenuous 9-mile out-and-back in Dixie National Forest.

4 min read

moderateloop

Bristlecone Pine Loop

3 mi600 ft gain
June through October

The Bristlecone Pine Loop visits ancient bristlecone pine trees estimated at over 3,000 years old near Cedar Breaks on a 3-mile moderate loop at 10,000 feet in Dixie National Forest.

3 min read

moderate-hardloop

Cedar Mountain Loop

8 mi1,600 ft gain
May through October

Cedar Mountain Loop traverses the Cedar Mountain plateau above Cedar City on a moderately challenging 8-mile circuit with views across the Great Basin and the Hurricane Cliffs in Dixie National Forest.

4 min read

easyloop

Paradise Flat Trail

3.5 mi200 ft gain
June through October

Paradise Flat Trail is a short, easy 3.5-mile loop across a high meadow plateau near Cedar Breaks, offering wildflower displays and views of the surrounding cliffs and forest in Dixie National Forest.

3 min read

easy-moderateloop

Pink Cliffs Loop

4 mi500 ft gain
May through October

The Pink Cliffs Loop explores the top of the Grand Staircase above Bryce Canyon on a 4-mile circuit through white and pink limestone hoodoos in Dixie National Forest, no park entrance fee required.

3 min read

easyout-and-back

Posy Lake Trail

4 mi400 ft gain
June through October

Posy Lake Trail is a short, easy walk to a scenic high-altitude fishing lake at 8,600 feet on Boulder Mountain in Dixie National Forest, a good option for anglers and casual hikers exploring the Boulder Mountain area.

3 min read

moderateout-and-back

Red Canyon Rim Trail

5.5 mi700 ft gain
April through November

Red Canyon Rim Trail follows the rim above Red Canyon's striking red hoodoos and orange limestone formations on a 5.5-mile out-and-back route in Dixie National Forest, a comparable but less crowded alternative to Bryce Canyon.

4 min read

easyloop

Wide Hollow Reservoir Loop

5 mi300 ft gain
April through November

Wide Hollow Reservoir Loop is an easy 5-mile circuit around a scenic high-desert reservoir in Dixie National Forest, offering fishing access, waterfowl viewing, and views of the surrounding canyon country.

3 min read