Hauling a trailer emblazoned with a forest scene and large map, the Dixie National Forest “Got Map” traveling crew made stops across Utah, passing out 60,000 free maps, talking to people about using off-highway vehicles in the forest and engaging the public in the work to designate motorized travel routes for 4-wheelers and all-terrain vehicles.
“With our new motorized travel plan across the forest, there’s over 2,700 miles of open routes for the public to come and enjoy this world class scenery and recreation,” said Nick Glidden, Motorized Travel Plan Implementation Team Leader on the Dixie National Forest.
The nearly 2 million-acre Dixie has a spectacular array of outdoor vistas that stretch roughly 170 miles across Southern Utah with elevations ranging from 2,800 feet to more than 11,300 feet. Recreational opportunities vary year-round, from cross country and down-hill skiing to hunting and fishing to wilderness camping.
Since 2009, the Dixie has worked with the public to implement a Motorized Travel Plan, which the Forest Service uses to designate specific routes of authorized roads, trails, and/or areas for motor vehicle use while also protecting our precious natural resources.
Among the more popular routes on the forest is the 408-mile Markagunt trail system out of the Cedar City Ranger District, and the Fremont and Paunsaugunt trail systems on the Powell Ranger District; add another 147 miles of riding opportunities that connect to the world famous 238-mile Paiute trail that loops across three mountain ranges and joins with many other popular trails on the Fishlake and Manti-La Sal National Forests, making the network the largest interconnected, motorized trail system in the country.
