What is Dixie National Forest and Posey Lake Road?
Posey Lake Road is a scenic drive that connects Scenic 12 to SR-24. The 40-mile stretch through Dixie National Park provides amazing scenic views from the Dixie National Forest. The Dixie National Forest stretches for about 170 miles east to west, straddling the divide between the Great Basin and the Colorado River. As you drive along Posey Lake Road, the temperature will drop as you climb higher altitudes.
For alternative routes, you can travel down Griffin Top scenic backway, and Hell’s Back Bone to Boulder, Utah. Both Scenic Backways provide amazing views from high altitudes.
The scenery will be quite different from other sites and parks nearby. Dixie National Forest scenery ranges from desert canyon gorges of amber rose, and sienna to high mountain forests, plateaus, and alpine lakes. Posey Lake Road offers many opportunities for camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, and mountain biking.
You can visit the local Ranger District Office or visit their website.
Elevation Range: 3,000’ -11,000’
Acres: Nearly 2 Million
Name: Southwest Utah was called Utah’s Dixie by early settlers from the southern states sent to the desert to grow cotton and silk; the forest was named after the area.
History: Dixie National Forest was inhabited by the Paleo-Indian Culture who hunted woolly mammoths and megafauna. Cultural artifacts indicate the presence of Fremont and Anasazi from 500-1275 AD. In the early 1300’s groups known as the Paiutes and Utes arrived from the West. These groups were the people the first Europeans came across.
If you are on scenic 12 near Escalante, I-70, or SR-24 at Bicknell, then hop on Posey Lake Road!
Time & Distance
Posey Lake Road is approximately 40 miles long and travelers should allow 1+ hours to travel one-way!
Visit the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center for information on current weather and road conditions.
My Journey
My journey through Posey Lake Road began when I enter from the north entrance near Bicknell, Utah. My trip was on 8/15/2019. At times, temperatures dropped over 15 degrees.  I continued to Lake Posey lake then turned toward Hell’s Backbone Road. Please see my blog on Hell’s Backbone Road for further information.
Animals
Dixie National Forest is filled with many different types of animals and wildlife. Some of the animals that reside in the Dixie National Forest include Bobcat, Bear, Chipmunk, Deer, Bird, Eagle, Falcon, Elk, Pronghorn, Prairie dog, reptile, and several different fish species.
You will also encounter hundreds of cows at the end of Lake Posey Road prior to reaching Bicknell, Utah.
Touch the Clouds
Lake Posey Road travels through high altitudes at the famous Aquarius Plateau, Box-Death Hollow area, and Boulder Mountain. This region has one of the largest high-elevation plateaus in the United States at 10,000 to 11,000 feet above sea level. You may feel the experience as if you were floating in the clouds!
Lake Posey Road has amazing stops for a great sunset and stargazing views. The views are different then most southern Utah because of the elevation. The elevation gives the mountains and rocks life with tall trees and plant life. The elevation and remoteness provide great opportunities for stargazing. Observe the wonders of the sky from the moon to the milky way. Click here for additional information on stargazing in Utah.
Conclusion
Lake Posey Road is worth checking out. Although gravel road, the drive is not difficult. The opportunity for all outdoor activities is here. Lake Posey Road and the Dixie National Forest are open all year long.
Lake Posey offers all water activities from fishing to boating. The Dixie National Forest is a fisherman’s dream with over 500 miles of fishing streams and 90 fishable lakes. Lake Posey Road connects with other amazing scenic backways including Hell’s Backbone Road and Griffin Top Scenic Backway.
Lake Posey Road connects with many trails that can be enjoyed by horse, foot, mountain bike, off-road vehicles. Many great camping opportunities with reservation options. Discover a large variety of different plants and animals. The Transforming scenic views with elevation change is great.
Lake Posey Road has several spots for stargazing opportunities. See the galaxy and Milky Way!
