Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

Utah USA

Independent

The Red Cliffs National Conservation Area is a National Conservation Area located in southwest Utah, north of St. George at the northeastern-most edge of the Mojave Desert. It is managed by the Bureau of Land Management as part of the National Landscape Conservation System, and was created as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (NCA) is part of the larger multi-jurisdictional Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, which was created in 1996 to protect the habitat and populations of the desert tortoise and other species. Part of the NCA was designated in 2009 as the Cottonwood Canyon and Red Mountain wilderness areas, which are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Pine Valley Mountains and Dixie National Forest are north of the NCA. The NCA is located within the watershed of the Virgin River, a tributary of the Colorado River. There are over of non-motorized trails in the NCA.

Add Review

Thanks!

Your Rating

Reviewed by
Lesli Peterson

Blogger
1,213 Reviews
62 Helpful

January 16, 2023

Rated 5.0

Set roughly 8 miles north of town at the edge of the Mojave Desert, the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area features landscapes combining the desert, the Great Basin, and the Colorado Plateau.

Offering a mixture of flora and fauna from these surrounding areas, the conservation area includes three basic regions: the Upland Area, the Lowland Area, and Snow Canyon State Park.

The Upland Area is more biologically durable, allowing off-trail travel and primitive and established camping. The Lowland Area is a fragile environment, meant to protect species — like the threatened desert tortoise, birds, and reptiles. Hiking in the Lowland Area is only allowed on established trails.

We think a visit here is one of the best things to do in St. George, Utah.

Read full article here >

Was this helpful?

Be the first to add a review to the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.