Red Reef East Trail

• Activities: Hiking, Biking, Horseback Riding

• Trail Distance: 0.9 miles (one way) two-track

• Trail Difficulty: Moderate

Trail Description:

The Red Reef East Trail starts in the Red Cliffs Campground between campsites 8 and 9. Cross the stepover heading east. Cross a second stepover at the intersection of the Mano Trail (connector). Continue following the wide two-track for just 0.15 miles. Turn sharply to the right and head downhill into a large sandy wash.

The wash contains exposures of Jurassic age sandstone preserving dinosaur tracks and trackways. Cross the wash directly to pick up the trail on the other side.

Continue for a couple hundred feet and reach the intersection with the Metate Trail (connector). The Metate Trail leads to the Red Cliffs Archaeological Site, an interpreted heritage site.

Continue heading east on the wide, well defined two-track for another 0.4 miles to reach the intersection with the Tipple Trail. Continuing east for another 0.10 miles will bring you to the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area boundary.

Red Reef East Trail continues as a road beyond the NCA boundary heading east to the Silver Reef area. The trail is and old two-track, possibly a remnant of early mining days used to access claims. The views to the north are of the wild and beautiful Red Reef within the BLM Cottonwood Canyon Wilderness and the USFS Cottonwood Wilderness.

Visitors may create a one mile loop by taking the Anasazi Trail to the Red Cliffs Archaeological Site. Upon leaving the site, turn left at the intersection with Metate Trail, then right onto the Red Reef East Trail. Continue onto the Mano Trail until it intersects with the Anasazi Trail to return back to the starting point across from campsite 11.

Within the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, archaeological sites that preserve evidence of Archaic, Ancestral Puebloan, and Southern Paiute occupations and land uses, and exposures of the Jurassic age Kayenta Formation and Navajo Sandstone that preserve scientifically important dinosaur tracks and trackways are conserved and protected for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. Please help us conserve and protect your public lands by following all outdoor ethics and posted regulations.