Vermillion Castle Trail

Vermillion Castle Trail is a short, steep climb near Parowan that packs a lot of color into 1.3 miles round trip. From the signed trailhead at 7,000 feet, the route climbs hard before leveling off along a rocky edge lined with composite rock pillars, yellow hoodoos, and the deep-red formation that gives the trail its name. It ends on a flat rock platform looking straight into Vermillion Castle, with Noah's Ark visible across the canyon.

To find the trailhead, drive State Route 143 from Parowan toward Brian Head, then turn off toward Yankee Meadows and the 5-Mile Picnic Area after about three miles. Figure on 45 minutes to an hour for the round trip, with about 500 feet of climbing. This is Dixie National Forest land, so dogs are welcome on leash, and the route is good from March through October. Snow and mud can make the exposed rock sections slick outside that window.