Lytle Ranch Preserve
(the
main access to Beaver Dam Wash)
Beaver Dam Wash
by Merrill Webb
©Merrill Webb
Description: Lytle Ranch (see Lytle Ranch Area Map) is located in a section of the Mojave Desert that projects into Southwest Utah. This island of trees and water in the middle of a very dry desert lies along a migratory corridor, and creates an excellent stopping place for a great variety birds, many of which, not usually found in other parts of Utah.
Reservations: Lytle Ranch is owned and operated by
Brigham Young University through the College of Biology and Agricultural
Sciences and the Bean Museum and used for research and teaching, but visitors are very much welcome and
gladly given information on the latest bird sightings. Any over-night
camping needs to be reserved by contacting the Bean Life Science Museum
at (801) 378-5052.[call to see if camping space is available, then
fill out and send in the reservation
form]. Scheduling for the campground is done on a
priority need basis and also there are limitations on the number of people
allowed to camp [25] on the preserve at any given time. There is a reservation fee
[$50.00 per group] and camping fee [$10.00 per campsite] for individuals camping on the preserve.
(Print a Reservation Form -
Information Sheet)
For day use, no reservations are needed.
It is requested that day-users make a contribution to help maintain the
facilities on the preserve.
Directions: [Because this is a remote, not well-signed place, it is advisable to follow these instructions precisely, noting the mileages as you go]. Take the Bluff Street Exit (Exit 6) of I-15 in St. George and follow Bluff Street as it goes north until you come to Sunset (at a very confusing intersection). Go left (west) on Sunset (SR-91) through Santa Clara, past Ivins and Shivwits. Shortly after crossing the Santa Clara River the road forks. Take the left fork (the right fork goes to Gunlock Reservoir) and proceed on SR-91 for 11.7 miles to a place known as Castle Cliffs, for the prominent rock outcrops (on your left). Turn right onto the gravel road marked by a small sign for "Lytle Preserve" and a larger sign for "Big Cottonwood Game Ranch." Travel west down this well graded gravel road, through the high-profile cactus country, 10.8 miles, at which point you take the north (right) turn to Lytle Ranch Preserve. (combined directions from Rich Fridell, Marilyn Davis and Bill Hunter)
Checklist: Merrill Webb has prepared a checklist of birds at Lytle Ranch which is available for printing at the "Utah Birds Print Center."