Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Red Cliffs Trailhead

Parking in the Red Cliffs Campground for day use activities is provided on a limited basis (30 spaces spread throughout the camp area) and requires a daily permit fee from a self-serve station at the entry point.  No trailers are accommodated in these sites.  The popular area is overwhelmed on spring weekends, particularly at Easter time and may require extensive waiting times for a vacant spot.  No parking is allowed along the entrance roadway.  This trailhead is reached by north-bound travelers on I-15 by taking Exit 22 towards the Town of Leeds and immediately making a sharp right turn back to the south on Old Hwy 91.  Southbound travelers on I-15 should take Exit 23 into Leeds and proceed south through town.  From the Exit 22 turnoff, visitors travel just under 2 miles on the paved frontage road to the small, historic RV community of Harrisburg.  Turn right at the brown sign that says Red Cliffs Recreation Area and travel on a narrow paved section through two I-15 underpasses.  Turn left almost immediately at the “T” intersection and follow the signs about 1 mile to the Recreation Site.  Travelers coming from the east out of Hurricane City or Zion National Park may take State Hwy 9 to the traffic signal serving the Washington County Regional Park on the south and the Quail Creek Reservoir and State Park to the north. Turn right at the signal and follow the paved scenic road past the reservoir all the way around to the west to reach Old Hwy 91.  Turn right on the old highway towards a KOA facility (and the historic Harrisburg area) and turn left shortly thereafter at the sign and paved underpass road described above. Out of this trailhead area, visitors may hike the popular Red Reef trail along Quail Creek into the Cottonwood Canyon wilderness area or hike/ride along14 different trails in the Recreation Area below the spectacular red cliffs for which the area is named.  Red rock canyons, dinosaur tracks, Anasazi pit houses, and historic homesteads are all accessible out of this trailhead.  Water, picnic areas, and restrooms are available in the campground as are 11 camp sites for overnight visitors (separate fee).  Day use patrons may also choose to park their vehicles at the more expansive White Reef trailhead located just west of the I-15 underpasses to access many of the trails served by both trailheads.  Both sites are administered by the BLM within the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.