Water is largely unavailable in the reserve, so no matter how you recreate, drinking water should be carried at all times.
Hiking
Hikers and trail runners are best able to experience the reserve’s diversity because they can access all designated trails–whether sandy, rocky, steep, or narrow–and they are able to scramble through the Upland Zone’s rugged terrain. Activities such as birdwatching and photography are also popular with hikers. However, leaving the designated trail to do so is prohibited, except in the Upland Zone. Wildlife should be observed from a distance; disturbing animals may force the animal to flee preferred habitat. A good pair of binoculars or a telephoto lens can assist in observing wildlife “up close” while preventing disturbance.
Biking
Bicycling is a popular recreational use in the reserve. The spectacular scenery and varied terrain provide cyclists with unique opportunities aesthetically and technically. Because of the impacts caused by off-trail mountain bike use to delicate desert soils and the likelihood of newly developed mountain bike trails if the expansion of this use is not restricted, bicycles are restricted to designated trails regardless of whether they are traveling in the Upland or Lowland Zone of the reserve. Unless otherwise posted, class 1 e-bikes are allowed. Within Snow Canyon State Park, bicycles must stay on paved trails or roads.
Ride Responsibly. Reduce trampling of vegetation and trail erosion by utilizing slickrock areas for stops and group discussions whenever possible. If slickrock is not available, riders should travel in a single-file fashion to avoid widening single-track trails. Avoid “skidding” stops, skidding around corners, spinning tires when climbing, and riding in muddy conditions. Bicycling on muddy trails accelerates erosion. Trail closures to mitigate erosion may occur in areas determined to be impacted.
Wilderness Area Restrictions. Public lands within the Red Mountain and Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness Areas are closed to mountain bike use as a part of the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (NCA) designation in 2009. Please visit the BLM site here for more info on the NCA and Wilderness Areas.
Climbing
There is several rock climbing areas in the reserve to choose from, but keep in mind that the Black Rocks climbing area closes annually from March 15 – June 30.
Equestrian
Horseback riders enjoy both short trail rides and extended backcountry travel in the reserve. Equestrian users get to see parts of the reserve seldom visited by others because they can generally travel greater distances and across sandy areas more easily.
Camping with horses is permitted only in the Upland Zone. Also, with a few exceptions, water is largely unavailable. When camping in the upper reaches of the reserve, minimal impact Leave No Trace guidelines must be followed. No off-trail and/or overnight horse use is permitted in Snow Canyon.
Users of BLM-administered lands in Utah, including the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, are now required to use only certified noxious weed-free hay, straw or mulch. Approved products for livestock feed on public lands include pellets, hay cubes, processed and certified hay. For more information regarding use of weed-free hay on public lands in Washington County, contact the Range Conservationist at the St. George BLM office (435) 688-3200.
Because tree tying horses has substantial vegetation impacts, it is not permitted in the reserve.
A complete guide to Equestrian LNT principles can be obtained by contacting
the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington County.
Camping
There are two established campgrounds within the reserve as well as the ability to request a primitive camping permit in Sand Cove. To learn more, contact Snow Canyon State Park or the BLM directly.
Only in the Red Mountain & Cottonwood Canyon Wildernesses are individuals able to backpack in with their gear and primitive camp overnight. Interested individuals should consult the BLM prior to doing so to ensure that you understand where it is permissible and be informed of the rules and regulations.
There is no dispersed camping allowed in the reserve, and officer’s frequently patrol the area and issue citations for illegal camping. However, federal agencies such as BLM or Dixie National Forest can consult with you on other neighboring areas where it is permissible.
Flying Drones
Individuals must be fully knowledgeable and compliant with the rules and regulations set forth by The Federal Aviation Administration (FFA), and familiarize themselves with agency policies for where they will be flying. The Red Cliffs Desert Reserve encompasses many land owners, including federal, state, and municipality partners who can be contacted individually to gain further information. As a general rule a thumb, you will be more limited when it comes to flying in the BLM Wilderness Areas. BLM states: “Designated wilderness is protected by Section 4(c) of the 1964 Wilderness Act. The public is prohibited from landing, taking off, or operating a drone within wilderness unless such aircraft use is specifically described in a particular wilderness area’s enabling legislation.” If you have more questions, you may reach out the BLM St. George Field Office for more details.
Please be courteous to other living beings. Respect other people’s privacy and give them space to enjoy their visit to the Reserve. Additionally, wildlife found in the Reserve are protected by law and should not be harassed. If an animal notices you or your drone, it is a sign that you are too close. Don’t fly drones near wildfires! BLM states: “When a drone is in the airspace over or near a fire, wildland fire managers may have to ground aerial firefighting resources until the airspace is clear, delaying important firefighting work and risking firefighters’ lives.”
Geocaching
Using a GPS unit, a geocacher will look for caches hidden by others using global positioning coordinates. The cache is usually some type of weather-proof container, such as Tupperware, with trade items and a log book inside. Geocachers learn about caches and general cache locations on the website geocaching.com where they are posted. It is not unusual for people on vacation to get information on caches at their destination as a means to see the places most tourists would miss.
The placement of geocaches within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve raises concerns for impacts to habitat caused by large numbers of people traveling off trail and the rapid development of “geo trails.” These impacts are not considered acceptable within the Lowland Zone where off-trail travel is not permitted by the Public Use Plan, and may even be a problem in the Upland Zone, depending on the placement of the cache.
To address these concerns, reserve managers are adopting the following policy to limit geocaches within the reserve:
1. All geocaches proposed to be located within the boundaries of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve must have written approval from the Washington County HCP Administration prior to placement. Those located within Snow Canyon State Park must also have written permission from the park manager.
2. All geocaches within the reserve must include the following statement in the description of the cache:
This cache is located within the boundaries of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve with the written permission of reserve managers. The Reserve is a 62,000-acre scenic desert area dedicated to the protection of the desert tortoise and other rare or sensitive species of wildlife. Non-motorized recreation is allowed within the lower elevations of the Reserve on designated trails only. If a trail is not marked with official reserve signs, it is not a designated trail. Cache seekers should visit www.redcliffsdesertreserve.com before entering the reserve to be sure that their activity is consistent with rules for responsible recreation that protect this fragile habitat area.
Thank you! Without habitat they have no home.
3. Geocaches placed without written approval will be removed.
4. Cache owners who placed geocaches before the implementation of this policy will be contacted. Geocaches in the Lowland Zone will be removed or relocated to an appropriate area. Geocaches within the Upland Zone may be allowed to remain if the location doesn’t create unacceptable impacts. The statement in Paragraph 2 above must be added to the cache description, or the cache will be removed. If the cache is permitted, a letter of authorization will be issued.