The Santa Clara River Reserve features many unique rock formations and petroglyphs. / Brian Passey / The Spectrum
IF YOU GO
Outside of the national and state parks, Bureau of Land Management lands provide many opportunities for people to head off the beaten path into the back country. These lands are filled with natural desert beauty from plant life to wildlife. Not only do BLM lands offer spectacular sceneries, but they also offer an amazing window into the past of Southern Utah with Native American archeological sites.
To fully enjoy these lands, it is highly recommended to visit the BLM visitor centers. These centers provide information on the different types of land in the area, such as tribal, state, public (including BLM), federally managed lands and State Institutional Trust Lands Administration property. Also provided at the centers are land-status management maps that indicate where visitors can legally recreate.
Also, the centers give updates on road conditions to the back country. Knowing the road conditions is crucial in planning a fun and safe trip. There are visitor centers located in St. George, Kanab and Cedar City.
Popular activities on BLM lands are hiking, camping, mountain biking, bird watching, equestrian activities and off-highway vehicle uses.
The Arizona Strip District is also BLM land. Located south of St. George, the Arizona Strip also offers many recreational opportunities. Some highlights are the Sunshine Loop mountain biking trail, the Black Mountain petroglyph site and camping at the Virgin River Recreation Area (also known as Cedar Pocket off Interstate 15).
The Vermillion Cliffs National Monument is also located in this area. Visitors can view wildlife at the Condor Release Viewing area and West Bench Pueblo. Visitors also frequent the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. The popular spot at the monument is the Mt. Trumbull hiking area, which allows for hiking and a view of the historic Mt. Trumbull schoolhouse.
In partnership with BLM and national parks is the Dixie/Arizona Strip Interpretive Association, a non-profit organization designed to provide education to the public about the lands and parks. BLM officials have a goal of providing one outreach education event each month. D/ASIA provides a brown bag series (azstrip.org) that runs from the end of October through first of May.
Brown-bag topics cover wildlife, archeological information, Native American history, geology history of the Arizona strip and more. The brown bag lectures take place at the St. George BLM office.