Guide to Red Cliffs National Conservation Area – Hidden Gem Near Zion National Park
- Arika Bauer
- May 2
- 7 min read
Updated: May 3
Planning a trip to southern Utah to explore desert landscapes, sandstone cliffs, and iconic slot canyons? While Zion National Park is the most famous destination, don’t miss Red Cliffs National Conservation Area—a less crowded hiking destination near Zion packed with red rock adventures, dinosaur tracks, swimming holes, and family-friendly trails.
What to Know About Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
Red Cliffs National Conservation Area makes up a large part of the 60,000-acre Red Cliffs Desert Reserve in southwestern Utah. It features a variety of landscapes since it sits where the Mojave Desert, Colorado Plateau, and Great Basin converge. This massive area is divided into two main zones, Upland and Lowland, and then broken up into multiple areas within that. You can find a map of Red Cliffs Desert Reserve here to get the lay of the land.
Where is Red Cliffs National Conservation Area?
Located about 45 minutes west of Zion National Park, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area is near St. George and the Hurricane Valley. It’s one of the best alternatives to Zion if you want fewer crowds but just as much natural beauty.
Entrance Fee for Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
There is a day use fee of $5 per vehicle to visit Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. An annual National Parks pass is also valid for entry instead.
When to Visit Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
You can visit Red Cliffs National Conservation Area all year-round, but you’ll typically encounter the best temperatures for hiking and exploring in spring or fall. Winter can also be a lovely time to visit the desert ((I’m a huge fan of Zion in winter!), though you might need to bring extra layers and be prepared for icy trails. Snow on the red sandstone is absolutely gorgeous!
Summer in the southern Utah desert can get extremely hot, so you’ll want to seek shade and trails with water. It’s also a good idea to start your hike early in the day before the extreme heat sets in.
Why Red Cliffs National Conservation Area is a Hidden Gem for Hiking Near Zion
Encompassing over 45,000 acres of amazing desert landscape, you’ll find so much to explore in Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. From hiking to biking to rappelling, you can choose your own adventure here. I definitely think Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is one of best hidden gems in Utah near Zion National Park!
Hike to Babylon Arch
Babylon Arch is one of my favorite family-friendly hikes in southern Utah. This trail has gorgeous red rock formations around every turn, amazing views of the Virgin River, a sand hill that’s fun to run down, and obviously an awesome arch!
This hike is generally easy at only 2.2 miles with minimal elevation gain, though it is not very well-marked, so I’d recommend bringing a GPS to make sure you stay on track to the arch.. Just be aware that climbing back up the sand hill that leads down to the arch is definitely less fun than running down it, haha…the sand hill isn't long but hiking uphill in deep sand is a bit of a challenge.
Get all the details about hiking Babylon Arch here!
Swim at Babylon Swimming Hole
After hiking along Babylon Trail head down the dirt road another mile to a hidden gem of a swimming hole on the Virgin River. Along with the sandy shore and deep patches for swimming, you’ll also find sandstone cliffs you can climb up and then jump in the water from. There lots of exploring in the area.......old building, dinosaur tracks, and petroglyphs.
Be sure to bring plenty of water with you to stay hydrated while you’re enjoying the beach. And watch out – the deep sand surrounding the river in this little area gets really hot in the summer, so be sure to protect your feet.
Hike Red Reef Trail
Another amazing hike in Red Cliffs National Conservation Area is the Red Reef Trail. I take just about everyone who comes to visit me on this trail. It is a short 3-mile round trip hike with very little elevation gain, petroglyphs, and unique trees.....think snake tree & elephant tree. When the water is flowing, you can also splash in some pools along the trail.
Near the end of the trail, you’ll find an area with a rope to help you climb up the rocks to a higher area if you’re feeling truly adventurous. Once at the upper section, you can eat a snack and take in the beauty before heading back.
Learn more about hiking Red Reef Trail here!
See the Dinosaur Footprints
A short hike on the Dino Cliffs Trail leads you to several amazing dinosaur footprints preserved in the hardened rock. This is an absolute must-see for dino-loving kiddos, but it’s actually super cool for anyone to check out this evidence of when dinosaurs from the Jurassic Period roamed here. The full trail is 3.5 miles round trip, but it’s only about half a mile out and back to get to the dinosaur footprints.
Explore the Red Cliffs Archaeological Site
You can see the remains of Ancestral Puebloan structures like pit houses and pueblos at the Red Cliffs Archaeological Site. The Anasazi Trail will take you to these preserved ruins so you can see what life was like for the residents of the area from 500 A.D. to 1200 A.D. It’s about a mile round trip hike through the desert to the archaeological site.
Visit Snow Canyon State Park
Most of Snow Canyon State Park actually sits within Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, and this park holds a special place in my heart. I grew up visiting Snow Canyon and have so many memories hiking its trails, climbing its red rocks, and soaking in its peaceful desert beauty.
The hiking trails in Snow Canyon State Park offer a mix of red cliffs, lava fields, slot canyons, and white rock formations. The Petrified Sand Dunes, Jenny’s Canyon, and the Lava Tube Trail are all different and fun for the whole family. These hikes are some of the best family-friendly hiking trails in southern Utah.
Check out my full guide to Snow Canyon State Park here!
Rappel From the Cliffs
If you’re an adrenaline junkie looking for a more adventurous way to explore Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, I highly recommend doing some guided rappelling with All Ways Adventures. I took my kiddos on a rappelling day with Nathan from All Ways Adventures where we got to start with beginner rappels and work up to a more advanced rappel, and it was such a fun and special experience as a family.
If you’re curious about rappelling in Red Cliffs Reserve, find out more in my blog post here!
Check out two incredible wineries close by
Just minutes from Red Cliffs National Conservation Area in Leeds, UT, you’ll find two charming wineries that offer a relaxing break from your outdoor adventures.
The Vine Yard is a reservation-only winery offering intimate, sit-down tastings with tapas and storytelling from owner Roberto Alvarez. With 10 grape varietals and creative blends like the G.O.A.T., it’s more than a tasting—it’s an experience.
Zion Vineyards offers a more casual, walk-in tasting room with a great selection of award-winning reds and whites. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of hiking.
Get the details about visting all the wineries in southern Utah here!
More Outdoor Adventures Near Zion National Park
If you’re looking to escape the Zion crowds while still enjoying world-class scenery and hikes, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve is one of the best-kept secrets in southern Utah. Whether you're looking for family-friendly trails, slot canyon exploration, or desert biking, this area delivers the full red rock experience—without the shuttle lines.
Towns Near Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
After exploring Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, make your way to one of these desert towns to find restaurants and places to stay.
Check Out Kayenta
At the western edge of Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, you’ll find the unique artsy village of Kayenta near the town of Ivins, Utah. Along with several galleries showcasing the works of local artists, there are also studios where you can create your own art.
Xetava Gardens Cafe & Rusted Cactus offers coffee, food, and tasty cocktails to replenish after a day in the desert. You can also wander through the Desert Rose Labyrinth and visit the Kayenta Desert Arboretum, and pay a visit to the Center for the Arts at Kayenta to see a performance or enjoy one of several festivals throughout the year.
See St. George
St. George is the biggest of all the towns in southwestern Utah, and it makes an excellent hub for visiting Zion National Park and for exploring Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. There are lots of lodging options in town, and one of my favorites is Inn on the Cliff, where you can get an awesome view of the city from the rooftop hot tub.
The Cliffside Restaurant at the hotel is an excellent choice for an upscale meal, as is Wood Ash Rye on the main drag downtown. Morty’s Cafe is a more casual spot for a gourmet burger (including veggie options) and fries, and you can’t beat Farmstead for baked goods.
If you still want to do more exploring, Pioneer Park in St. George is a great gateway to Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and features cool formations including the St George Narrows, Powell Eagle Nest, and the Dixie Sugarloaf.
For even more things to do in St. George, check out this blog post!
Head to Hurricane
The town of Hurricane is just 20 minutes or so from the eastern side of Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, and it makes an awesome home base if you’re also visiting Zion National Park since it’s only half an hour from the west entrance as well.
Not gonna lie, I have a soft spot for Hurricane since I was born and raised (and raised my own kids) here! Among the things to do in Hurricane, you’ll find a few more hiking trails, and you might be surprised to discover some of the best pizza on the planet at Dixie Pizza Wagon.
And very soon, you’ll be able to soak in the magical Zion Canyon Hot Springs which is opening in 2025 in the neighboring town of La Verkin. I, for one, can’t wait to relax in the luxurious mineral pools at this oasis in the desert!
Find out more about why I love the Hurricane Valley so much here!
Final Thoughts on Visiting Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
Hope this post has given you some good reasons to check out Red Cliffs National Conservation Area next time you’re in southern Utah. Whether you’re planning your Zion National Park itinerary or looking for an alternative with fewer crowds and just as much beauty, Red Cliffs is a must-see destination for hiking, biking, and desert adventure in Utah!
Happy Adventuring,
Arika
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