Red Butte Wilderness

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Red Butte Wilderness is a beautiful and rugged area located in the state of Utah.


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Summary

There are many good reasons to visit this area, including its scenic beauty, unique geological formations, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can explore a variety of hiking trails that wind through the wilderness, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Some of the most popular points of interest in Red Butte Wilderness include the Red Butte itself, as well as the numerous canyons, cliffs, and rock formations that can be found throughout the area.

One of the most interesting facts about Red Butte Wilderness is that it is home to a number of rare and endangered plant and animal species. Visitors may be able to spot a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and black bears. Additionally, the area is known for its rich cultural history, with evidence of Native American settlements dating back thousands of years.

The best time of year to visit Red Butte Wilderness depends largely on what activities you plan to participate in. The summer months are popular for hiking and camping, while fall and winter offer opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Overall, the best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and the crowds are smaller.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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