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Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

4.8 ★★★★★ 104 Google reviews · Running trail in Washington, Utah · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Red Cliffs Desert Reserve's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Open 24hScenicTrailhead parking

Hiking and camping spot featuring mountain views and natural pools.

What runners say about Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (104 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 12 mentions

“Amazing , I like that they have a public restroom , and is so beautiful with mountain all around , it's just perfect for horses , and bike riding , great climbing place.”

👟 good for all levels 2 mentions

“Good variety of trails for all levels of hiker.”

It has several beautiful natural pools to swim in and small waterfalls. It's a kid friendly hike with a bit of shade here and there. In the spring the river is flowing and you often need to cross it so the shoes will most likey get soaked.

★★★★★ — Megan , Mar 2017

Awesome place to go hike and play around. It's very big. We are avid hikers and have fun finding new things down here. Also our dog can come which is awesome. Unfortunately I do not know the area good enough to tell whether beginners can do the trails. But it is a nice escape from the north in the winter

★★★★★ — Fifen , Dec 2016

Good variety of trails for all levels of hiker. I recommend the Chuckwalla > Turtle Wall loop. Plenty of places to get a great view. Cool to watch rock/wall climbers as well.

★★★★☆ — Paul , Jan 2017

There are many different Trailheads and miles of great hiking, biking and horseback trails in the preserve. There is an Ebook guidebook available on Google Books and Trail maps available at The Red Desert Preserve Office or The BLM Field Office in St George. Something for everyone.

★★★★★ — John , Feb 2017

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 104 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 17 mentions

“Amazing , I like that they have a public restroom , and is so beautiful with mountain all around , it's just perfect for horses , and bike riding , great climbing place.”

More trails like this →

🅿️ Trailhead parking

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Plan your run at Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websiteredcliffsdesertreserve.com
  • Phone+1 435-634-5759
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Red Cliffs Desert Reserve

Washington, Utah

Get directions

Running trails near Washington

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Red Cliffs National Conservation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 2,565 reviews

St. George, UT

ShadedScenic

Divided into upland & lowland sections, this protected area is famous for its red-rock cliffs.

1.2 miles away

Bone Wash Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Washington, UT

1.3 miles away

Mill Creek Trail

4.3 ★★★★☆ 35 reviews

Washington, UT

Dog-friendly

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Green Spring Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 213 reviews

Washington, UT

ShadedScenicDog-friendly

Informal, family-friendly park featuring playgrounds and splash pads.

1.7 miles away

Dino Cliffs Trailhead

4.4 ★★★★☆ 164 reviews

Washington, UT

5 miScenic

Area featuring hiking trails with preserved dinosaur footprints.

2.0 miles away

Grapevine Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 113 reviews

Washington, UT

3 miScenicDog-friendly

Trail for casual walking and dog walking, with views and connecting routes.

2.8 miles away

All running trails in Washington, UT →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.