Located just 25 miles southeast of Enterprise, Utah you will find Doc's Pass Wilderness. The west side of the wilderness borders the state of Nevada. Right near Doc's Pass, you will find Cougar Canyon and Slaughter Creek Wilderness. Doc's Pass Wilderness takes up a portion of nearly 32,000 acres of land that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, while the nearby canyon and creek wilderness take up the other acreage.
You will find lush and dense forests, steep canyons and large mountains. There are a ton of amazing activities for visitors to enjoy such as hiking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and more. Doc's Pass has plenty of wildlife in the area. You can find a variety of birds perched in the pinyon pine trees, as well as trout and bass in the nearby dam and creek.
There are larger animals such as mountain lions, mule deer, elk, badgers and more. A short drive away from Doc's Pass Wilderness, you will find a variety of campgrounds that are also managed by the BLM. Any of the campgrounds listed below are the perfect places for all types of adventurers to stay when visiting this area of Utah.
When traveling around Utah you will notice a wide variety of terrain. Doc's Pass Wilderness is located in Washington County, Utah. The entire west side of the wilderness borders Nevada. Surrounding Doc's Pass are rugged mountains, which can make for dangerous travel for larger vehicles. With that being said, if you're renting an RV or pulling a trailer, be sure to drive cautiously around sharp turns and winding mountain roads.
The best way to reach the wilderness is by taking FR003 until you reach the entrance. The closest city is Enterprise, Utah and it's located about 25 northeast of Doc's Pass Wilderness. Cell Phone reception isn't the best when traveling there, which is why you may want to make sure you know the road conditions and directions ahead of time. This will prevent any unwanted detours that delay your trip.
You could also pack a map or a GPS to help you navigate the area. When you reach Doc's Pass, you may want to bring a compass as well. Because the area is rugged and secluded, if you get in trouble it can take a long time for help to arrive, so it's best to make sure you know where you're going.
One of the closest BLM campgrounds to Doc's Pass Wilderness is Baker Dam campground. This is located 17 miles north of Saint George, Utah. This campground is at an elevation of 5,000 feet, which can get quite cold in the evening. There are 19 campsites in total, and they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. When you camp here, you will be surrounded by lush forests and the Baker Dam Reservoir.
Even though this campground is open all year round, campers can stay up to 14 days per month. There you will have access to vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Baker Adam Campground is located at the foot of Pine Valley Mountain. This not only gives you an amazing view, but it also keeps the campsite from getting too warm in the summer.
Around the campground, you will find gravel roads, and it feels quite secluded due to the campsites being spaced out from one another. This campground has no potable water or RV hookups. On the upside, you can take part in activities like fishing, photography, wildlife viewing, hiking, and horseback riding.
Another nearby campground to Doc's Pass Wilderness is actually in Arizona. Virgin River Canyon Campground is a BLM campground that has plenty of room for visitors. There you will find 77 overnight campsites available and 38 day-use campsites available. You can camp here in a tent or an RV.
Each campsite has a picnic table and there are flush toilets and drinking water available. You'll also find shaded shelter areas and grills throughout the campground. Virgin River Canyon Campground does not accept reservations and campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There is also a limit of two vehicles per campsite for visitors staying overnight. This campground is surrounded by valleys and mountains that can be used for hiking or wildlife viewing. Lastly, Virgin River Canyon Campground is perfect if you're looking to get some stargazing in on your trip as well! This makes it a perfect romantic getaway for couples.
A unique way to travel around the trails located in Doc's Pass Wilderness is by horse. Horseback riding is a popular activity that the whole family can enjoy. It's important to note that there are no horses to rent at nearby stables.
You can easily pull up your horse trailer and hit the trails. Some trails are well-maintained that are safe for you and your stallion. If you're visiting in the summer months, make sure your horse is plenty hydrated before riding due to Utah's hot summers.
Fishing is another great activity that many visitors of Doc's Pass Wilderness enjoy. You can take part in a bit of angling at Doblin Creek or other nearby streams or dams.
Some fish you can expect to catch in the area are black bullhead, brown trout, bluegill, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch. There are plenty more types of fish in the area, but those are some of the most common visitors have caught.
If you're interested in hunting near Doc's Pass Wilderness, you may want to get a hunting permit beforehand. These are available for locals and visitors online and at dealers around Utah. Some of the animals that you can expect to see are duck, antelope, rabbit, wild turkey, grouse, and even elk!
Lastly, you could stay at the Red Cliffs Campground. This campground is the furthest from Doc's Pass Wilderness out of the three listed here, but it is still one of the closest BLM campgrounds available in the area. It is located 14 miles northeast of Saint George, Utah. Red Cliffs Campground has 11 campsites in total, all of which have shade provided by a plethora of trees.
The roads leading to the campground do note that RV drivers must have a vehicle that is 12 feet or less in width, as well as height. When camping here you will be surrounded by beautiful canyon walls and large cliffs. Red Cliffs Campground has a creek running through it, which can offer a relaxing soundscape to doze off to.
There are no hookups available for RVs, but you will have access to vault toilets and potable water. The campground is open year-round and there are no reservations allowed. Each campsite is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you're wanting to enjoy a more laid back activity, consider packing your binoculars and taking part in some wildlife viewing. Doc's Pass Wilderness has a variety of beautiful creatures that visitors can see roaming in their natural habitats. You might see smaller animals such as birds, amphibians, and reptiles. There are also big animals like elk, deer, foxes, and wild turkey. This is a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy, especially the kids!
Utah is an absolutely stunning state and Doc's Pass Wilderness is no exception. Whether you're a professional photographer or you just enjoy taking photos to remember your trip, photography is a great laid back activity. You can take photos of the rolling hills, towering mountains, or deep canyons.
You can take photos of the wildlife mentioned above, as well as the beautiful botanicals in the area. Lastly, there are also plenty of opportunities to capture some family photos to take memories back home with you!
Doc's Pass Wilderness is an amazing place to hike and enjoy other physical activities, but you need to be fueled properly to enjoy doing those things. This is just one reason to have a picnic while visiting the area. It is important to remember that Doc's Pass Wilderness is a "No trace left behind" area. This means Utah has this enforced so that visitors clean up after themselves to help preserve the wilderness. Grab a blanket and some delicious grub to enjoy a picnic during your visit!
