FAQs

What is the difference between the Forest Service, the National Park Service, Department of Wildlife Resources and State Parks?

The Forest Service manages the national forests and grasslands, forestry research and cooperation with forest managers on State and Private Lands. The Forest Service is dedicated to multiple-use management for the sustained yield of renewable resources such as water, forage, wildlife, wood and recreation. Multiple-use means managing resources under the best combination of uses to benefit the American people while ensuring the productivity of the land and protecting the quality of the environment.

The National Park Service focuses on preservation. They preserve, unimpaired, the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation.

State Parks are similar to National Parks but are managed on a state level and can have fewer restrictions.

Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) can be under state or federal management. State DWRs handle fishing and hunting permits while federal wildlife agencies, such as the National Marine Fisheries Service, manage wildlife that crosses state boundaries such as migratory birds and whales and some fish species.

Entrance fees are required for entering designated federal recreation areas such as National Parks and National Monuments. Entrance fees can be paid each time you visit a forest or grassland, or you can use a special pass, such as the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Lands Recreation Pass. For more information on recreation passes, visit the Forest Service Recreation Fees and Passes web site.

Federal Interagency Senior and Access Pass Information (printable pdf document) - These passes are issued to United States citizens or permanent residents only. Senior passes are for persons over 62 years old. Access passes are for persons that have a permanent disability.

Some specific recreation areas may have unique restrictions and fees that may not be covered by the pass. If you have a question pertaining to a location, contact that area for more information.

There are three types of fees that may be charged.

1. Entrance Fees are charged for entering designated federal recreation areas.
    
2. Use Fees are charged for using visitor services such as campgrounds, swimming areas, boat launches, parking, waterfowl blinds, cave tours or specialized interpretive services in designated federal recreation areas.
    
3. Special Recreation Permit Fees are charged for specialized uses that require a permit, such as group activities, recreational events and the use of motorized recreational vehicles in designated federal recreation areas.

Check our Recreation Section for information on camping and campsites.  Here you will find information about each campground or campsite, including how to makes reservations if required.  As an alternative for Forests Service campgrounds reservations nationwide you can call 1-877-444-6777. If you call the toll free number, the exact name of the campground and the Forest it is located on is needed. You can also visit the Forest Service campground reservations web site at Recreation.gov. The web site offers interactive, clickable maps that lists campgrounds by state and will have the name of the specific campgrounds and forests. It also has directions and campground maps.

Fire restrictions can change frequently as weather and drought conditions vary. For the most accurate information it is best to call your local Forest Service office. Fire restrictions can also be different for developed campground vs. dispersed campgrounds. Please contact us for restrictions that are specific to areas within the Dixie National Forest.

 The Motorized Travel Planning Project Implementation page has detailed information about ATV/OHV use on the Forest, including maps available for download.

Travel plan maps and motorized trail maps have the most accurate information regarding trails that are open to ATV's and motorized recreational vehicles. These maps are available at most Ranger District and Forest Service offices, as well as the Visitor Centers which are located near popular recreation areas. It is suggested that all ATV/OHV recreationists obtain maps, since the ATV maps cover trails and proper ATV/OHV use on the Dixie National Forest.

You may contact us to find out how to obtain maps for the Dixie National Forest and surrounding areas. The Dixie National Forest has several maps that are available for free.  Maps can be acquired by visiting one of our offices, by phone, or by mail.  There are also several maps that are available for download.

Topographic maps provide the greatest amount of detail for a small portion of land, are available from the USGS or many local retail outlets. Local Ranger Districts and Forest Service offices have larger National Forest overview maps that show the locations of campgrounds, paved roads, unimproved roads and some trails. Ranger Districts and Forest Service offices will also have Travel Plan maps that show trails that are open to motorized recreational vehicles and ATV's. Maps are also available at Visitor Centers, which can be found near popular recreation areas.

The Dixie National Forest has several maps that are available for free. You may contact us to find out how to obtain maps for the Dixie National Forest and surrounding areas. 

Yes, dogs are welcome on the Dixie National Forest. For safety, all dogs must be on a leash in all campgrounds, picnic areas and trailheads at all times. Please do not leave your pet unattended. Remember, never leave a pet unattended in a vehicle. Even mountain temperatures can make the interior of a vehicle uncomfortably hot.

Examples of Forest Products are firewood, Christmas trees and ornamental Rocks to mention a few. More information can be found on our Passes and Permits web pages. For more specific information contact the local Ranger District.

Wilderness areas are a place where the imprint of humans is substantially unnoticed. It is where natural processes are the primary influences and human activity is limited to primitive recreation and minimum tools. This allows for the experience of wild places without intention to disturb or destroy the natural processes. Wilderness areas on the Dixie National Forest do not require an overnight permit to camp in them. Contact your local forest service office for more information on wilderness areas and any restrictions that may apply to using them.
 

Visit the Dixie National Forest wilderness webpage for more information on wilderness areas.

Virtually all forests in the Intermountain Region require certified weed-free hay. You can contact your local forest service office if you have questions. For more information, visit Utah Department of Agriculture. For complete information regarding your area of interest please contact us.

Cross country horseback riding is allowed.

Anyone on foot or horse can enter the forest at any access point as long as they have access over the adjacent private property.

In general forest areas, there are no group size limits. However, if the party is greater than 75 participants/spectators, a noncommercial group use special use permit may be required. in wilderness areas, the total number of people and stock can be no larger than 25.

If you have an emergency on the National Forest, the best thing to do is call 911 and they will dispatch the nearest help.

Tree death is a natural event in forest ecosystems.  Standing dead trees, called snags, are a vital part of all forest ecosystems, providing habitat to many species, and decaying trees are an essential part of the long term nutrient cycle.  However, the Dixie National Forest has been experiencing above average mortality due to an overall decline in forest health associated with long term drought, fire suppression, and interruptions of other historic disturbances.  Trees are killed by a number of mortality agents including insects, fires, diseases, storms, drought and floods.  Annually, more trees are killed by insects, primarily bark beetles, than by all other causes, including fires.

Forest Service staff, including foresters, silviculturists, ecologists, and entomologists, routinely monitor the forest for signs of tree mortality, sickness, and stress.  At this time there are no specific concerns about large-scale mortality events on the forest. Nevertheless, the majority of Forest Service vegetation management actions include forest health objectives to increase the resilience of the forest.  Treatments such as prescribed fire, forest thinning, and even logging when well planned and executed will improve forest health and help prevent extreme mortality events. 

If you are interested in seedlings, you need to get in touch with the State Forester office. The telephone number is 435-586-4408. You can get a permit from the Forest Service to dig up a tree to transplant. They cannot be taller than 6 feet and cost $5 each. There is a $20 minimum permit. These permits may be obtained at any District Office.

Campground Hosts are unpaid volunteers that perform services in a campground. They collect fees, sell firewood and help with camper's questions.

Check-In time is 2:00 pm and Check-Out time is 12:00 pm.

Extra vehicle fee is one-half the price of the camping fee. A towed vehicle is considered an additional vehicle. An example of this would be an RV towing a vehicle. Anything driven is considered a vehicle, so motorcycles and ATV's would be considered a vehicle. One to four motorcycles, ATVs or bicycles are considered one vehicle, five to eight motorcycles, ATVs or bicycles are considered two vehicles, and so on. There is a five dollar fee for each extra vehicle.

Many campgrounds have water faucets in general areas. Most campgrounds have toilets. As a rule, campgrounds do not have showers, RV hookups or electricity. Red Canyon Campground has shower facilities.

Dispersed Camping is any camping activity that takes place outside of a campground. The campers need to provide their own facilities, or have self-contained RV's. Dispersed camping needs to be at least 150 feet from any paved road, at least one mile from any campground and 100 feet from any stream. 

Please practice Pack-In Pack-Out or Leave No Trace camping. If you pack something in, please pack it back out again. Please make sure your camp area is clean and your fire (if you had one) is completely extinguished before leaving. 

Before you go, it is best to check with the local office to see if campfires are allowed in dispersed camping areas.

Riding ATV's around the campground or immediate area surrounding a campground. ATV's are noisy, please respect other campers desire for quiet.

For ATV's, four-wheel drives, pickups, two-wheel motorized bikes, snowmobiles, and vehicles in general see the Dixie National Forest Travel Map. This map is available on-line or can be obtained from any local office.

Weed Free Hay is required for all livestock brought onto the Dixie National Forest. This requirement is necessary to prevent the spread of noxious weeds into a vulnerable ecosystem on National Forest System lands. For more information, visit Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and