Red Cliffs Recreation Area Trails
The Red Cliffs area is located off Interstate Highway 15 and lies entirely within the Bureau of Land Management’s Red Cliffs Recreation site near Harrisburg in the Red Cliffs NCA. The area encompasses a campground, a day-use area, the large White Reef trailhead parking area for hikers/bikers/equestrians, multiple historic sites, interpreted archeological sites, two paleontological sites, drainages for Quail Creek and Leeds Creek, old mining ruins, protected habitat for federally-listed endangered plants, and 14 trails accessible for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Visitors can enjoy views of the spectacular red rock cliffs and monuments directly to the west, the restored 1860s-era Adams House off the main entrance road, the remains of the 1950s-era “They Came to Cordura” movie set, dinosaur footprints, and the ruins of the old McMullin homestead and silver mining operations. Area trails are linked so as to give visitors maximum opportunities to enjoy suitable loop hikes or rides through the valleys and ridges that wind through and follow the Leeds Creek and Quail Creek drainages. The creeks carry water through most of the year, but may be dry during hot summer months and in times of drought. Trails are typically level, old mining roads with some single tracks to allow access to specific sites. Elevation change is negligible on many of the trails with exceptions on the Tipple, Adit, Silver Reef, Leeds Reef, White Reef and High Grade trails and modest ups and downs on the Anasazi and Red Reef East trails. Wildlife commonly seen in the area include hawks, eagles, raccoons, coyotes, rabbits, lizards, mule deer, and an occasional snake. Except for the main entrance and campground roads, travel by motorized vehicle is prohibited. BLM charges separate fees for camping in the designated campground and day use throughout the recreation site. Visit recreation.gov to reserve your camping spot in advance. The White Reef trailhead is now included in the recreation site boundaries. See the individual trail descriptions for specific details and additional trail information.
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- Beautiful views of red rock cliffs and formations, such as this one on the east boundary of the Cottonwood Canyon wilderness area, draw visitors to the White Reef portion of BLM’s Red Cliffs NCA.
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- This White Reef area map shows all 14 of the linked trails within the National Conservation Area near the Red Cliffs recreation site.
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- BLM’s official site map for the White Reef area inside the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area
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- After crossing under I-15, visitors will need to choose whether to follow the signs up to the main Red Cliffs Campground area or to the White Reef trailhead for various site and trail connections.
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- Photo shows the entrance to the Red Cliffs recreation site which serves as a trailhead for a number of the trails in the southern portion of the White Reef area
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- The Orson Adams house is a restored historical feature available for public enjoyment on the access road into the recreation site
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- The White Reef trailhead parking area provides access to trails in the southern portion of the area and can accommodate horse trailers and significant numbers of vehicles. Restrooms are available.
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- The area includes ruins of the old Cordura movie set shown in front of the spectacular red cliffs in the background
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- Spectacular views of the Pine Valley Mountains and red rock bluffs may be seen from many of the trails in the area
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- Ruins of the old McMullin homestead are open for public view. Please be respectful of the property by leaving nothing more than footprints.
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- This view of the red rock cliffs to the west may be seen from several of the trails
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- Numerous red rock formations are enjoyed by visitors throughout the area
BLM’s website for Red Cliffs Recreation Area
BLM’s news release_- facility closure_August – November 2014
