Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness
Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness lies within the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and shares a common boundary with the Cottonwood Forest Wilderness, located on the Dixie National Forest. Here, massive blocks of Jurassic-age Navajo Sandstone have been eroded by wind and water, leaving rounded domes and numerous small canyons. The resulting landscape is both austere and intimate, affording outstanding opportunities for solitude and natural quiet, just minutes away from the major population centers of Washington County. Convenient trail access makes this Wilderness a popular choice for hikers and equestrians. There is a total of 20 miles of trail in Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness.
Description from Wilderness Connect (wilderness.net).
| Designation | Wilderness |
| Managed by | Bureau of Land Management |
| State | Utah |
| Size | 11,667 acres |
| Designated | 2009, by Congress |
| Center point | 37.21° N, 113.48° W |
| Night sky | Some glow on the horizon (Black Marble reading 42) |
Boundary map
Boundary, simplified to about 0.005 degrees Federal campground
The outline is the agency boundary simplified for display, so small parcels and inholdings may not show. The agency page has the authoritative map.
Weather by month
Large units span more than one climate. The station stands in for the center point, and the outer parts of the boundary can be warmer or colder.
Where to camp
None of the 1 federal campground within ten miles sits inside the boundary. Nearest first. Distances are from the campground point to the boundary edge, from the Campsite Atlas index.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedBumblebee South Rx
25 mi from the center point
- PrescribedHarmony Ranch Community Rx
29 mi from the center point
- PrescribedHarmony Mountain Rx
29 mi from the center point
- PrescribedMiners Peak Rx
36 mi from the center point
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge, and is measured from the center of a boundary that may be many miles across. Check the agency page for closures.
Explore
Nearby on the other atlases
- 2.1 miLeeds Ccc Camp Historic District ↗Leeds, UT
- 2.3 miLeeds Tithing Office ↗Leeds, UT
- 2.5 miWashington School ↗Washington, UT
- 2.6 miWells Fargo and Company Express Building ↗Silver Reef, UT
- 3.5 miCovington, Robert D., House ↗Washington, UT
- 3.8 miWashington Relief Society Hall ↗Washington, UT
- 3.9 miWashington Cotton Factory ↗Washington, UT
- 5.4 miSugarloaf Hillside Sign ↗St. George, UT
Landmarks are listed first, then by distance from the boundary.
Guidebooks for Utah
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
How big is Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness?
11,667 acres.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Who manages Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness?
The Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Wilderness Connect
What state is Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness in?
Utah.
Source: Wilderness Connect
When was Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness designated?
Congress designated it in 2009.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Can I camp at Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness?
Camping inside a wilderness is usually allowed away from roads, with no facilities, and the managing agency page has the permit rules. The federal campgrounds within ten miles are listed under Where to camp.
Source: Where to camp
How do I get to Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness?
A point inside the boundary is at 37.206° N, 113.476° W. Zion National Park is 21 miles away. The official page carries directions and the office address.
Source: Wilderness Connect
Is there a fire near Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness right now?
4 active incidents within 50 miles as of 2026-11-01, the nearest Bumblebee South Rx at 25 miles. Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge.
Source: Fire nearby
Which national parks are near Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness?
Zion National Park (21 mi). Park Atlas has fees, hours and alerts for each.
Source: Nearby on the other atlases
Are there historic places near Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness?
The National Register has 42 listings within 15 miles, including Leeds Ccc Camp Historic District and Leeds Tithing Office.
Source: Register Atlas
Sources
- Boundary, name, acreage, designation year, states and description: Wilderness Connect.
- Campgrounds: the Campsite Atlas index of federal campgrounds, matched to this boundary at build time.
- Trailheads and sites: the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer, points inside the boundary.
- Night sky: NASA Black Marble (VIIRS, 2016 composite) sampled at zoom 6 around the center point.
- Weather, alerts, air quality, river flow and earthquakes load live in your browser from NWS, AirNow, USGS and iNaturalist when you open the page.