Duck Creek, Utah
Duck Creek Village is nestled in the Dixie National Forest not far from Cedar Breaks National Monument, Cedar City, and Kanab. We found out about it from several of our friends who recommended Duck Creek for the amazing views, vast hiking trails, and beautiful mountain scenery. The village is small but it acts as a stepping point to several nearby National Parks. If you enjoy the outdoors, you will love Duck Creek. There is something for everyone with offroading, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding just to name a few. From Las Vegas the it was a quick 4 hour drive through some of the most beautiful scenery you can find anywhere. We planned to stay 3 nights but the RV park didn’t have an open spot on friday, so we stayed the first night parked in my buddies Darwin’s cabin driveway. Darwin has had his cabin at Duck Creek for years and has all the toys you can think of… quads, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, and a Polaris Ranger he was kind enough to let us use the whole weekend. The first night was quite. we planned to head to the RV park in the morning, set up, then head to Mammoth Caves to do some exploring. The next morning we woke up to the smell of fresh coffee with deer roaming everywhere around us.
Mammoth Caves
Mammoth Cave is a lava tube located on the Markagunt Plateau in the Dixie National Forest of Southern Utah, and is one of the largest lava tubes in Utah. The cave has over 2,200 feet (670 m) of passage and is about a quarter mile (400 m) long. It was formed by cooling lava and water less than 2,000 years ago. Due to moisture and its elevation of 8,050 feet (2,450 m) above sea level the cave stays cool year round.
The cave has four chambers, the largest to the west. At the end of the largest tunnel, it narrows to a small opening that can be used as an exit. Although the cave is open year round, portions of it are closed off from October until April to protect hibernating bats. Additionally, Mammoth Creek Road may be completely impassable during the winter months due to snowfall.
The dirt road leading up the cave is pretty rough but you can still make it there with a two wheel drive vehicle. Once you park its just a short walk to the beginning of an adventure. Bring a flashlight, you will need it. The cave is easy enough to climb down into and you can go left or right. Either way offers you the opportunity to climb about 100 yards to the other end. Even in the summer the floor is damp and cool to the touch. If you have it in you to explore all the way through, you will be happy you did.
The cave has over 2,200 feet of passage and is about a quarter mile long. It was formed by cooling lava and water less than 2,000 years ago. There are at least two caverns you can make your way through, each has its challenges. There are a few tight squeezes and you will spend a good amount of time on all fours so if you have bad knees you may just want to explore the entrance to the caves.
The Ice Cave
Just off the main road and really close to the Duck Creek Campground you can find one of the strangest and “cool”phenomenons. The Ice cave keeps a cool temperature all year round due to its entrance being higher than the floor so warm air doesn’t enter freely. It’s just a short walk from the road where you are greeted with the entrance to the cave. A rope has been tied off to help visitors make their way down into the cave. You need to be carefull, the ground is always most and there is often ice formed on the ground as well.
It is said the early settlers used the caves to store their meat, dairy, and eggs in the cave because of its natural cooling ability. The short climb down will take into the main cavern that is fairly wide and open. Not a lot to see while your down there but it is nice for a little break in the summertime. Climbing back up and out is a little easier than the climb down and from there we are onto our next adventure..
Cascade Falls, Cedar Mountain, In the Dixie National Forest
Some of the most amazing views you will see in Duck Creek are on this short hike. About .5 mile each way at an elevation of 9200 feet, the scenery on the way to the falls will take your breath away.
The short and dusty path take you along some treacherous areas but the view at the end is worth it. Zion Narrows, the areas most famous ‘”trail” and one of the National Park Systems best trails, owes its existence to the flowing waters of the falls. The trial itself is well maintained and easy for kids of any age, although I do recommend holding younger kids hands on some of the trail as there are some pretty serious drop offs.
Pinewoods Resort
The one thing we are always looking for now is a nice RV park with decent amenities and easy access to the local area. We found it in Duck Creek at the Pinewood Resort. Located at Duck Creek Village, just off Utah Highway 14, 31 miles east of Cedar City, Utah or 10 miles from U.S. Hwy. 89 at Long Valley Junction, the resort offers rooms in their Inn, a motel, a cabin, and an entire home as well as the 11 RV spaces. The resort has an indoor pool and a central playground where the kids spent hours. The resort also has a full restaurant with entrees inspired from family recipes.
The entire grounds were well kept and the bathrooms were very clean. Even my teenage girls were happy to take a shower here after a day of trekking through the woods. The water pressure was great and there was plenty of hot water which is one of the ways I judge the restrooms in the parks we stay in.
At night the stars can be seen everywhere and the mornings are so quite. I highly recommend the resort if you are coming up to Duck Creek. The RV sites are on level ground and hookups are well maintained. The staff were all very helpful and welcoming. If you are interested in booking you can find do so online or give them a call directly.
Pinewoods Resort
1460 E. Duck Creek Ridge Road
Duck Creek Village, Utah 84762
(435) 682-2512