The Headwaters District of the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area begins at the southern tip of Sevier County and travels down Utah Heritage Highway 89 to Long Valley Junction, where it meets Highway 14 and the Cedar Breaks Byway.
National Forest Service
Here you will discover along the western border of the District the Tushar Range, it is the highest range in Southeastern Utah. This Heritage District includes parts of the Sevier Plateau and the Parker Range, along with the Sevier River Valley and the Grass Valley.
National Forest Service
It was named as such for the commonality of the Sevier River, and its tributaries that flow through the many communities. For each drop of rain or a single snowflake that falls into the Headwaters or the Sevier River and its tributaries, will become a tiny drip, a small trickle, a moving stream, a flowing torrent, a river giving life to Southern Utah. The communities in Headwaters share this common bond. Each has its own distinctive traditions and are as unique as the banks from which the water flows through them.
For those looking for numerous great outdoor recreational opportunities, there are year round activities that await you in the Tushar Mountain Range. These 12,000 foot-high mountains which rise above timberline are the remains of an ancient volcano. Wildlife is plentiful, including mountain goats who feel right at home on these mountains.
The Paiute ATV Trail spans 278 miles. Nearly 80 percent of the trail is dirt roads with the remaining 20 percent being trail sections. This well-known trail passes through four counties, three mountain ranges, four communities, and adds an additional 550 miles that have access to side trails into 12 communities.
In the winter, enjoy the thrill of the snow packed mountains that are perfect for downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as snowmobiling. Ice fishing is aplenty in the Otter Creek and Piute Lake State Parks. Summer fun awaits the outdoor enthusiast with unlimited boating, fishing, hiking, biking, rafting, picnicking, camping, horseback riding, and rock hounding, in the paradise of the Tushar Mountains, Fishlake National Forest, and Dixie National Forests.
Fall transforms the forest into a blazing color display by Mother Nature with displays of the vibrant colors of the golden Aspens, accompanied by the rich forest greens of Red Pine, White Pine, and Spruce trees.
For the adventurous of a different sort, there are many tales of lost gold, outlaws and their hiding places, posses chasing bandits, and noteworthy tales of Butch Cassidy.
Circleville is the location of the Maximillian and Ann Campbell Gillies Parker cabin. These English immigrants and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, came to the Utah Territory in the late 1850’s. The first of their 13 children was Robert Leroy Parker, named after his grandfather and later became known as Butch Cassidy.
This District has a rich history of hard-working and enduring miners. Family histories are full of stories about the early settlers who traveled to bring provisions to their starving families. There were times when the snow was so deep and heavily pack that to navigate through the mountains they had to walk on handmade quilts to get through to their families.
Long Valley was once a community that lived faithfully by the United Order which was an early economical system in which the community shared their resources with each other.
No matter the lifestyle in the communities today, they are all bonded together everywhere by the water that flows from the mountain tops, to the mountain streams, then finally runs to the rivers, and on to the valleys.
On the edge of Sevier Valley and the beginning of Headwaters District, you will discover the magic of the Big Rock Candy Mountain located a few miles north of Marysvale. The colorful volcanic rock in rich shades of red, orange, yellow, and white is the result of clustered strato-volcanoes which erupted. This eruption resulted in deposits of enormous amounts of lava and ash flow. These volcanoes are considered to be much the same as Mount St. Helens in Washington. These 3,000 feet thick volcanic rocks are known as the Bullion Canyon Volcanics.
The geological wonders of the region are a definite sight to behold. Located within the Fishlake National Forest, mineral deposits of Uranium, Alunite, Gold, Silver, Lead, Zinc, Tale, Mercury, Perlite, and Manganese are spectacular and plentiful.
Among the many sites to see in the Headwaters District include:
Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service and Pam Burt
As you venture through the Scenic By-Way discovering the most isolated towns in not only Utah but in America will add to your experience of Utah’s charm. Excitement and delight will abound you as you visit the local artists, potters, and woodworkers will astound and amaze.
Hoodoos, horses, stargazing, and geology lessons are just the beginning of your adventure in Bryce Canyon National Park. Here you might want to spend a week or get an introduction for a future visit. View the archetypal “hoodoo-iferious” terrain. These odd-shaped rock pillars that have been formed due to nature and time erosion are next to impossible to truly describe.
Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service
Not only will you be amazed by the hoodoos, you can also experience a forest of stone and a cave without a roof. Thor’s Hammer is a favorite site in the park.
Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service
Inside the Boulder Loop, there is something exciting and amazing for all ages. Horseback trails, hiking guides, telescope stargazing, moonlit guided tours, ranger programs, junior ranger program and the shuttle system are all within the Bryce Canyon National Park Service.
The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument encompasses almost 9 million acres of America’s public land. This is the only National Monument under the direction of the BLM. These picturesque cliffs and terraces spans the rugged Kaiparowits Plateau, to the majestic wonders of the Escalante River Canyons.
The uniqueness of the Monument thrills and delights the first time visitors, awe-inspires historians, fascinates the biologists involved in scientific research, excites the paleontologists, provides incredible opportunities for the archeologists, geologists marvel in the formations of Neon Canyon, and are astounded with the unlimited exploration and educational opportunities. This is truly a place of interest for everyone.
You will be tempted to succumb to a guided horse pack trip or want to schedule a 4-wheel vehicle trip along the western cowboy trails.
A fascinating and educational experience awaits you at the Anasazi State Park. Here you will discover one of the largest Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) communities that can be found west of the Colorado River. This ancient Native American village is believed to have been inhabited around 1160 to 1235 AD and had approximately 200 persons housed here.
Photo Courtesy of Anasazi State Park Museum, Jenna Dickson, and the Utah Valley University
The Escalante Petrified Forest State Park hosts large petrified logs, exhibits an array of dinosaur bones and marine fossils.
Located at the Wide Hollow Reservoir, the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is an outdoorsmen’s dream. This reservoir is perfect of water sports, boating, fishing, and canoeing. The park has many RV sites, a developed campground, a group gathering area, and an appealing picnic area. The marked hiking trail will take you on an wondrous adventure through the petrified forest.
The Visitors’ Center contains remnants dating over 100 million years of dinosaur bones and fossilized petrified wood.
The Boulder Mountain Loop tour encompasses these exciting heritage communities in Wayne County:
Capitol Reef Country Scenic By-Way 24 extends nearly one hundred miles from Loa to Hanksville, through Capitol Reef National Park, Capitol Reef Natural Bridge, and Fruita Rural Historic District.
A spectacular must-see geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) is situated in south-central Utah in the heart of the red rock country of Capitol Reef National Park.
Photo Courtesy of the National Park Servic
This mystifying setting will mesmerize one’s senses with hidden bridges, winding canyons, cliffs, and enormous domes in the Waterpocket Fold. Intrigued visitors have been awed with the monoliths and sandstone spires. The 10,000 feet of sedimentary strata is found here. The rocks have an age range from Permian, 270 million years, to Cretaceous, 80 million years.
This area was not explored until 1872 when Mormon settlers took up residence in the high plateau lands west of Capitol Reef. There they established communities for short season animal grazing and farming. The origin of Fruita was located at the junction of the Sulphur Creek and the Fremont River. The first landholder was Nels Johnson. There were not more than 10 families that resided in this community. It was known for its orchards, but the Mormon settlers grew sorghum, vegetables and alfalfa. Price and Richfield greatly benefited in the fruit crops as the fruit growers would harvest the fruit before maturation and hauled their crops via wagons heavy laden with the bounty of their labors.
Fruita was one of the most isolated communities in America before the middle of the 20th Century.
The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area consists of five Districts, each of which offers a wealth of natural wonders, rich history and friendly towns which can transport their visitors to the past. Recreational activities are plentiful which include snow-kiting, ATV trails, hiking, horseback riding, fishing and camping. Included in the districts of the area are some of the best offerings of southern Utah tourism available!
Enjoy scenic vistas as you travel through the wonders which are found in the Boulder Loop, including Bryce Canyon, The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and Anasazi State Park.
As the name of this district suggests, water is plentiful and the rivers run clear. Fishing is a popular activity and enjoyed by many. For those with a historical bent, the childhood home of outlaw Butch Cassidy is located within the Headwaters District.
Visitors to Little Denmark are charmed by the small town life of communities such as Mt. Pleasant. Ephraim is home to Snow College, which is regularly rated in the top 10 colleges in the US and is currently ranked as the best two-year college in the United States. The Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti is held annually and draws large family crowds.
Sevier County is rugged country in which real cowboys work the land which often has been in their families for generations. Communities in Sevier County are rich in charm and history with a touch of the old west.
Movie buffs can recognize sites from their favorite movies in the Under the Rim District. This area has long been used by Hollywood to depict the Old West. Zion National Park is visited by thousands of people each year and offers returning visitors as much as those who’ve never set eyes upon this spectacular landscape, which was considered to be sacred land to the Native Americans.
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In the winter, enjoy the thrill of the snow packed mountains that are perfect for downhill and cross-country skiing, as well as snowmobiling. Ice fishing is aplenty in the Otter Creek and Piute Lake State Parks. Summer fun awaits the outdoor enthusiast with unlimited boating, fishing, hiking, biking, rafting, picnicking, camping, horseback riding, and rock hounding, in the paradise of the Tushar Mountains, Fishlake National Forest, and Dixie National Forests.
Circleville is the location of the Maximillian and Ann Campbell Gillies Parker cabin. These English immigrants and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, came to the Utah Territory in the late 1850’s. The first of their 13 children was Robert Leroy Parker, named after his grandfather and later became known as Butch Cassidy.
This District has a rich history of hard-working and enduring miners. Family histories are full of stories about the early settlers who traveled to bring provisions to their starving families. There were times when the snow was so deep and heavily pack that to navigate through the mountains they had to walk on handmade quilts to get through to their families.
On the edge of Sevier Valley and the beginning of Headwaters District, you will discover the magic of the Big Rock Candy Mountain located a few miles north of Marysvale. The colorful volcanic rock in rich shades of red, orange, yellow, and white is the result of clustered strato-volcanoes which erupted. This eruption resulted in deposits of enormous amounts of lava and ash flow. These volcanoes are considered to be much the same as Mount St. Helens in Washington. These 3,000 feet thick volcanic rocks are known as the Bullion Canyon Volcanics.
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