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Losee Canyon Trail

Dixie National Forest, Utah · 4 min read

Distance
5.9 mi
Elevation Gain
531 ft
Difficulty
moderate
Route Type
Out-And-Back
Best Season
May through October
Est. Time
2.5-3.5 hours
Dog Friendly
Yes
Kid Friendly
No
Bikes Allowed
No
Difficulty Score
5 / 10

Trailhead Amenities

Restroom
None
Parking
Free
Cell Service
No Signal
Water
None
Camping
None
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Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • Narrow red rock canyon with arches, hoodoos, and vibrant orange and red sandstone walls
  • Quieter alternative to the Red Canyon Visitor Center trails with fewer visitors
  • 531 feet of gain spread evenly across the out-and-back, keeping the difficulty moderate
  • USFS Trail #33090, well-maintained hiking trail
  • Accessible from May through October without snow concerns in most years
viewsrock formations

Overview

Losee Canyon Trail is a 5.9-mile out-and-back through the Red Canyon area of Dixie National Forest, passing through a narrow canyon with arches, hoodoos, and the vivid orange and red Claron limestone formations characteristic of the Pink Cliffs region. The trail is USFS Trail #33090, managed by the Powell Ranger District.

This is one of the quieter hiking options in the Red Canyon area - less visited than the main trails near the Red Canyon Visitor Center and without a national park entrance fee. The canyon walls close in as the trail progresses, giving the route a sense of enclosure and discovery that open plateau trails in the area don't offer. At 5.9 miles round-trip with 531 feet of gain, the distance and difficulty are manageable for most hikers in reasonable condition.

The Red Canyon geology is the same Pink Cliffs layer visible in Bryce Canyon National Park to the east. These formations were carved from limestone deposited in ancient lakes and shaped by frost and erosion over millions of years into the distinctive hoodoo and arch forms visible throughout the canyon.

The Route

Miles 0 to 1.5: Trailhead into the Canyon. The trail enters Losee Canyon from the trailhead and begins following the canyon floor upstream. The walls rise on both sides as the trail progresses, framing the sky above and giving the route an increasingly enclosed character. The surface is sandy in places with some rocky sections. Several hoodoo formations and canyon fins are visible from the trail in this early section.

Miles 1.5 to 3: Canyon Interior to Turnaround. The trail continues deeper into the canyon as the walls narrow and the formations become more dramatic. Arches are visible from the trail at several points. The out-and-back turnaround at approximately 3 miles coincides with a natural opening where the canyon character changes. Some hikers extend further using the connecting trail system, but the most scenic section is within the first 3 miles.

Return on the same route.

Red Canyon in Context

The Red Canyon area sits along Scenic Byway 12 (UT-12) just west of Bryce Canyon National Park. Geologically, it is part of the same Pink Cliffs geological story, but with a different color palette - the iron oxides in Red Canyon produce deeper reds and oranges than the pastel pinks of Bryce. The canyon receives a fraction of Bryce's visitation despite comparable scenery, which makes it a genuine value for visitors willing to look slightly off the main attraction.

For hikers who want more of the Red Canyon area, the Thunder Mountain Loop at 15.7 miles covers a much larger circuit through the same terrain and is accessible from a trailhead nearby on UT-12.

When to Visit

May through October is the reliable season. The Red Canyon sits at roughly 7,000 feet, which keeps it cooler than the lower desert but accessible from spring through late fall. July and August bring afternoon thunderstorms from the monsoon pattern; morning starts reduce exposure. September and October are often excellent, with cooler temperatures and fall color in the aspens along the canyon margins.

What to Bring

For a moderate 6-mile out-and-back with no water sources:

  • 1.5-2 liters of water per person (no water on the trail)
  • Sun protection (the canyon provides some shade but exposed sections receive full sun)
  • Layers for morning and afternoon temperature changes at elevation
  • Camera (the canyon light in morning and late afternoon is excellent)

Dogs are welcome on leash.

Practical Details

No permit or fee is required for the Losee Canyon Trail (as of 2026). The trail is hiking-only - no bikes or motorized vehicles.

Contact the Powell Ranger District of Dixie National Forest for current conditions: (435) 676-9300. The America the Beautiful Pass covers fees at nearby developed sites. Veterans may qualify for free passes; see the veteran benefits guide.

Getting There

The Losee Canyon Trailhead is in the Red Canyon area off US-89 and UT-12 near Panguitch, Utah. From the US-89/UT-12 junction south of Panguitch, head east on UT-12 into the Red Canyon. The Losee Canyon Trailhead is accessible via gravel spur roads in the Red Canyon corridor; navigation apps will direct you to the closest access point.

From Cedar City, take US-89 north approximately 40 miles to the UT-12 junction, then east into Red Canyon (approximately 1 hour). From Bryce Canyon National Park, drive west on UT-12 approximately 10 miles to the Red Canyon area (approximately 20 minutes).

Trailhead Parking

Losee Canyon Trailhead in the Red Canyon area off US-89/UT-12 near Panguitch. Free gravel parking area. No fee required.

← Back to Dixie National Forest

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Losee Canyon the same as the Casto Canyon Trail?
These are two separate trails in the Red Canyon area that share an overlap section. Losee Canyon Trail (#33090) is the dedicated hiking trail described in this guide. A longer Losee Canyon to Casto Loop is also possible (approximately 13 miles), though the Casto section at the end of the loop follows an OHV trail and is dusty and less scenically focused. This guide covers the Losee Canyon out-and-back, which is the hiking-focused option.
What are the rock formations like?
Losee Canyon runs through the same Pink Cliffs geology as Bryce Canyon National Park - hoodoos, fins, and arches carved from Claron limestone. The canyon walls are orange, red, and white and glow particularly well in morning and late-afternoon light. Several arches and unusual formations are visible from the trail without any off-trail scrambling.
Is there a fee to hike this trail?
No fee is required to hike the Losee Canyon Trail (as of 2026). The America the Beautiful Pass covers fees at nearby developed sites. Dispersed camping in the surrounding forest is generally free; verify current regulations with the Powell Ranger District.
How busy is this trail compared to Bryce Canyon?
Significantly less crowded. The Red Canyon area receives fewer visitors than Bryce Canyon National Park, and Losee Canyon specifically is quieter than the main visitor center trails. Weekends in summer see moderate use; weekdays are often quiet.