Cassidy Trail

Cassidy Trail is a long-distance hiking route in Red Canyon on the Dixie National Forest, Utah. The trail’s corridor is known for contrasting red Claron limestone terrain and old-growth ponderosa pine stands.

The route is commonly hiked as part of the Cassidy and Rich Trail Loop in Red Canyon, using a longer loop option to connect multiple trail spurs and junctions. The commonly used loop is described at about 4.5 miles, with a moderate overall challenge and a typical 2 to 2.5 hour completion window.

Expect mostly singletrack hiking through red-rock country, including sections that rise from washes and then work along higher ground. The trail climbs toward the ridge area between Losee and Red Canyons, which is the part of the route most associated with the view points.

Route lore ties Cassidy Trail to the “Outlaw Trail” used in western history by Butch Cassidy, with local stories placing parts of the route in late-1800s escape activity. The same Red Canyon area is also tied to filming connected with the Cassidy story in the late 1960s.

Along the hike, you’ll pass junctions that let you extend toward Ledge Point and other named viewpoints used on the Cassidy-and-Rich loop variation. Ledge Point is specifically called out as an overlook back over Red Canyon.

Trail access is centered on Red Canyon Trailhead on the north side of Utah State Route 12, about a half-mile east of the Red Canyon Visitor Center. The area is managed by Dixie National Forest, and no permits or fees are indicated for the hike.

The Cassidy Trail corridor is multi-use in Red Canyon (hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riding). Dogs are allowed with leash use, and pit toilets are available at the trailhead.

More information: Chasing Old West Outlaws On The Cassidy Trail - Visit Utah, Cassidy and Rich Trails - Red Canyon, Cassidy Trail (Red Canyon Trailhead) - Utah - MyHikes