Utah’s Scenic Red Canyon
Located between Panguitch, UT and Bryce National Park along Scenic Highway 12, this incredible area offers a sneak peek into what is on full display in Bryce National Park.
Red Canyon Campground
Found tucked away in the trees on the south side of the road just east of the Visitor’s Center, this campground is all first come-first served. There are sites with incredible views of the red rocks; but they’re close to the road. If you’re willing and able to head to the back of the campground you’ll find spots on the hill, hidden in the trees. We chose one of these, just up the hill from the Buckhorn Trailhead and it was quiet.
After a great nights sleep, we head out for a day of hiking.
Tunnel Trail
Our first trail just east of the campground is the famed Tunnel Trail. This short hike takes us up in to the hills to see some incredible views and both Red-Rock Arch tunnels. The trail crosses the bike path and then a wash before leading up the hillside via a narrow path. Watch you’re footing or you can easily go for a slide.
Red Rock Arch Tunnels
Part way up we get our first view of both Red Rock Arch Tunnels across the canyon roadway. You can also easily see the bike path just to the right of the road.
Views from the top
Once we reach the top the views are incredible. We can see Thunder Mountain as well as all the way down the canyon toward Panguitch.
This short trail is steep; but in our opinion it’s definitely worth the effort.
Visitor Center
Located just west of the campground, the Red Canyon Visitor Center is a wealth of knowledge about the area. It is closed when we arrive; but there are numerous information boards outside detailing the activities available in the area as well as the history, geology, flora and fauna found here.
After taking in the information available, we head to the east end of the parking lot and begin our next hike.
Pink Ledges, Hoodoo, Bird’s Eye, & Photo Loop Trail
This hike weaves through the forest as well as some of the best known formations to be found in the area.
Pink Ledges Trail
Immediately heading up the steepest portion of this trail we get a glimpse of Pink Ledges.
Unfortunately we’re running out of time and water. So, we deviate from the steepest portion of the Pink Ledges Trail and instead turn left to only skim the bottom of this trail on our way to the Hoodoo Trail.
Hoodoo Loop Trail
As we join the Hoodoo Trail, we immediately see why it has been named thusly and also why it’s the most common trail from the Visitor Center.
Birdseye Trail
Once we’ve joined the Birdseye Trail we begin to really weave our way up and through these incredible rock formations.
As we progress, the trail takes us close to what looks like cave openings.
And a bend in the trail gives us a wider view of where these caves are hiding in the rock formations.
We’re above the trees here and have the opportunity to get a close of up some of the formations we traveled along the base of earlier.
Turning the bend the trail is clearly visible ahead of us and it appears to be leading us to some incredible formations.
Photo Trail
Turning from the Birdseye Loop to the Photo Trail, the sun is in the perfect position to really highlight the intense red color of these rocks.
We also get close enough to these formations to get some really incredible photos. This trail is definitely named appropriately.
We do end up taking a wrong turn up a really steep incline that we thought leads to the overlook; but it doesn’t. The overlook offshoot was a little further down the trail and is not difficult at all. But, it does provide a great view of one of the more colorful formations along the trail.
Canyon Bike Trail
We head back to the Visitor Center via the Canyon Bike Trail, and the view across the road where we just traversed is interesting to see.
Time to head back the campground for some dinner and relaxation.
Red Canyon Bike Trail
On our last day here, we take the bikes down the Canyon Bike Trail all the way to the turnoff for Bryce Canyon National Park and back. We’ve been looking forward to doing this trail since we visited Bryce Canyon in 2022. Unfortunately, it doesn’t live up to our expectations. It is very exposed, windy, and follows the highway the entire route.
So, instead of the views and nature we are anticipating, we get vehicles and road noise.
It’s not a bad trail; but it doesn’t hold a candle to the other bike trails we experienced this summer.
This concludes our 2025 Summer exploring Idaho and Western Montana. Next up will be a collage of our best summer wildlife photos.
