- Region
- UT, USA
- Country
- United States
- Best for
- hiking
- Best season
- Spring, Summer
- Permits
- Confirm current permit requirements, acces…
- Managed by
- U.S. Forest Service, Dixie National Forest
Plan with verified data
Cottonwood Forest Wilderness trip tools
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Photos of Cottonwood Forest Wilderness
How to get there
Cottonwood Forest Wilderness is in UT, USA, United States. Its center point is 37.2479, -113.4071. Use these links for live turn-by-turn directions from where you are, then confirm road, trailhead and access conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
UT, USA · United States
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
- Surfing
- Hiking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Backpacking
A small wilderness of steep red-rock canyons
Cottonwood Forest Wilderness protects 2,648 acres in Utah on the Dixie National Forest. Designated in 2009, it lies north of the adjoining Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness, a separate area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Keeping those two names straight matters when planning a visit: access information for Cottonwood Canyon should not be treated as directions into Cottonwood Forest. The landscape belongs to the broader canyon country that extends beyond Zion National Park, with sandstone walls, forested plateaus, and deep, narrow gorges. Within Cottonwood Forest, steep terrain limits travel, and there are no designated system trails. This is a destination for terrain-led planning rather than choosing a maintained trail and following it to a signed destination.
Travel without a designated trail network
The defining planning constraint here is the combination of narrow canyons and steep ground without designated system trails. A short line on a map is not enough to establish a practical walking route. Before setting out, confirm an appropriate entry and a feasible itinerary with the Forest Service, and use mapping that clearly distinguishes Cottonwood Forest from neighboring Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness. Do not use the wilderness inventory map point as an arrival location: it marks a position inside the boundary, not a trailhead, campsite, or access point. Keep plans conservative and allow room to turn back when terrain exceeds the group's ability. The absence of a designated trail network makes this a poor fit for anyone seeking a straightforward, signed hiking outing.
Seasonal water and canyon wildlife
Water shapes these canyons, but surface water is intermittent and flows are seasonal. Plan drinking-water needs without assuming that a canyon bottom or seep will provide a usable supply. Along the sandstone walls, seeps support maidenhair fern, scarlet monkeyflower, and columbine, creating small patches of moisture-dependent vegetation within the red-rock terrain. Avoid trampling these pockets or disturbing the plants around them. Hawks, falcons, and eagles nest along the walls, while deer and cougar inhabit the canyon bottoms. Give wildlife space and observe nesting birds from a distance. Conditions around water can differ with the season, so confirm current conditions before committing to an itinerary. The combination of limited water and difficult travel calls for a cautious plan rather than reliance on finding supplies along the way.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Cottonwood Forest Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
Coordinates
- Decimal degrees
- 37.2479, -113.4071
- Latitude (DMS)
- 37° 14′ 52.5″ N
- Longitude (DMS)
- 113° 24′ 25.5″ W
Coordinates are an access-point reference for Cottonwood Forest Wilderness, not a route. Carry a paper map and confirm trailhead or put-in access with the managing agency before you go.
Topic summary
Zion National Park's world-famous landscape of soaring cliff walls, forested plateaus, and deep, narrow gorges extends well beyond the boundaries of the park onto surrounding BLM and FS lands including...
Key takeaways
- Region: UT, USA
- Country: United States
- Good for: hiking
- Coordinates: 37.248, -113.407
Intended uses
hiking
Keep planning
Popular pursuits at Cottonwood Forest Wilderness
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
- Surfing
Swell windows and access from camp.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Wildlife Viewing
Best light, best season, and where animals move.
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
Animals around Cottonwood Forest Wilderness
A small wilderness of steep red-rock canyons
Cottonwood Forest Wilderness protects 2,648 acres in Utah on the Dixie National Forest. Designated in 2009, it lies north of the adjoining Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness, a separate area managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Keeping those two names straight matters when planning a visit: access information for Cottonwood Canyon should not be treated as directions into Cottonwood Forest. The landscape belongs to the broader canyon country that extends beyond Zion National Park, with sandstone walls, forested plateaus, and deep, narrow gorges. Within Cottonwood Forest, steep terrain limits travel, and there are no designated system trails. This is a destination for terrain-led planning rather than choosing a maintained trail and following it to a signed destination.
Travel without a designated trail network
The defining planning constraint here is the combination of narrow canyons and steep ground without designated system trails. A short line on a map is not enough to establish a practical walking route. Before setting out, confirm an appropriate entry and a feasible itinerary with the Forest Service, and use mapping that clearly distinguishes Cottonwood Forest from neighboring Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness. Do not use the wilderness inventory map point as an arrival location: it marks a position inside the boundary, not a trailhead, campsite, or access point. Keep plans conservative and allow room to turn back when terrain exceeds the group's ability. The absence of a designated trail network makes this a poor fit for anyone seeking a straightforward, signed hiking outing.
Seasonal water and canyon wildlife
Water shapes these canyons, but surface water is intermittent and flows are seasonal. Plan drinking-water needs without assuming that a canyon bottom or seep will provide a usable supply. Along the sandstone walls, seeps support maidenhair fern, scarlet monkeyflower, and columbine, creating small patches of moisture-dependent vegetation within the red-rock terrain. Avoid trampling these pockets or disturbing the plants around them. Hawks, falcons, and eagles nest along the walls, while deer and cougar inhabit the canyon bottoms. Give wildlife space and observe nesting birds from a distance. Conditions around water can differ with the season, so confirm current conditions before committing to an itinerary. The combination of limited water and difficult travel calls for a cautious plan rather than reliance on finding supplies along the way.
Sample itineraries
- Conservative canyon day · 1 day
After confirming legal access with Dixie National Forest, plan a short out-and-back suited to your off-trail skills. Cottonwood Forest Wilderness has no designated system trails, and steep terrain limits travel. Turn around before terrain exceeds your ability; this is not an established route.
- Sandstone and wildlife observation day · 1 day
Plan a daylight outing focused on sandstone walls, canyon vegetation, and distant raptor observation. Confirm access beforehand and choose terrain within your abilities. Where safely accessible, observe seep-fed plants without trampling them. Keep clear of nesting birds and avoid committing to narrow passages.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Spring
Surface water is intermittent, with seasonal flows through deep, narrow canyons. Confirm current water and weather conditions rather than assuming spring means dependable drinking water. Steep, trail-less terrain should determine the scope of the outing.
Summer
Summer
Carry drinking water rather than relying on canyon seeps or intermittent flows. Check the forecast before entering narrow canyons, and shorten plans when heat or changing weather makes steep off-trail travel less manageable.
Fall
Fall
Do not assume seasonal flows will provide water. Check current conditions and allow enough daylight for slow travel through steep terrain without designated trails. Carry layers for changing temperatures.
Winter
Winter
Check temperatures and precipitation before departure. Pack insulating layers and avoid steep terrain if footing is unsafe. Narrow canyons and the absence of designated trails favor conservative plans with ample time to return.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Spring | Surface water is intermittent, with seasonal flows through deep, narrow canyons. Confirm current water and weather conditions rather than assuming spring means dependable drinking water. Steep, trail-less terrain should determine the scope of the outing. |
| Summer | Summer | Carry drinking water rather than relying on canyon seeps or intermittent flows. Check the forecast before entering narrow canyons, and shorten plans when heat or changing weather makes steep off-trail travel less manageable. |
| Fall | Fall | Do not assume seasonal flows will provide water. Check current conditions and allow enough daylight for slow travel through steep terrain without designated trails. Carry layers for changing temperatures. |
| Winter | Winter | Check temperatures and precipitation before departure. Pack insulating layers and avoid steep terrain if footing is unsafe. Narrow canyons and the absence of designated trails favor conservative plans with ample time to return. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm current permit requirements, access rules, and any overnight-use requirements with Dixie National Forest before visiting Cottonwood Forest Wilderness.
Official source: Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness - Utah · Verified October 19, 2026
Hazards & regulations
- Steep terrain limits travel; do not assume a canyon offers a passable route.
- There are no designated system trails. Off-trail navigation and finding the return route require preparation.
- Intermittent surface water and seasonal flows are not dependable drinking-water supplies.
- Deep, narrow canyons warrant checking weather and flow conditions before entry.
- Cougars inhabit canyon bottoms. Maintain wildlife awareness and give animals space.
What to pack for Cottonwood Forest Wilderness
- Topographic map showing wilderness boundaries
- Compass and offline navigation
- Headlamp
- First-aid kit
- Emergency communication device
- Drinking water sufficient for the planned outing
- Backup water treatment
- Food and extra snacks
- Footwear with reliable traction
- Sun protection
- Insulating layers
- Weather-resistant outer layer
Cottonwood Forest Wilderness FAQ
- Is Cottonwood Forest Wilderness the same as Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness?
- No. Cottonwood Forest Wilderness lies on Dixie National Forest, north of the adjoining Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness. Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Access descriptions for one should not be assumed to apply to the other.
- Are there maintained hiking routes?
- There are no designated system trails in Cottonwood Forest Wilderness. Steep terrain limits travel, so prepare for off-trail navigation rather than a signed hiking circuit.
- Where should visitors start?
- Confirm legal access with Dixie National Forest before choosing a starting point. The wilderness inventory map point marks an interior location, not a trailhead, campsite, or access point.
- Is drinking water available?
- The canyons have intermittent surface water, seasonal flows, and wall seeps. None should be treated as a dependable drinking-water source. Carry sufficient water and treatment equipment for any water collected.
- What distinguishes the landscape?
- Deep, narrow red rock canyons, sandstone walls, and steep terrain define the wilderness. Canyon-wall seeps support maidenhair fern, scarlet monkeyflower, and columbine.
- Are bicycles or motorized vehicles appropriate here?
- Motorized equipment and mechanical transport, including bicycles, are generally prohibited in wilderness areas. Confirm applicable rules with Dixie National Forest before planning the trip.