Cougar Canyon Wilderness

Cougar Canyon Wilderness is a protected area in Washington County with steep mountain peaks and canyons where pinyon pine, Utah juniper, manzanita, and scrub oak grow. The vegetation covers more than 10,000 acres of this rugged landscape.

The area was designated as protected in 2009 through federal legislation and thus shielded from development for the long term. This protection status continues to define the rules for how the land is used today.

The area is home to elk, mountain lions, bobcats, and various songbird species that inhabit these wild landscapes. This wildlife presence shapes the experience of traveling through the untouched terrain.

Visitors should prepare for extreme temperatures that drop below freezing in winter and exceed 37 degrees Celsius in summer. There are no marked trails in the area, so good planning and navigation skills are necessary.

The area receives only between 14 and 24 inches of rain annually, making it an exceptionally dry location. Despite this low rainfall, diverse plant and animal life thrives here.

Location: Utah

GPS coordinates: 37.48660,-114.01500

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:23