In descending order of forestland area it is located in parts of Garfield, Washington, Iron, Kane, Wayne, and Piute counties.

High altitude forests in gently rolling hills characterize the Markagunt, Paunsaugunt, and Aquarius Plateaus.

Boulder Mountain, one of the largest high-elevation plateaus in the United States, is dotted with hundreds of small lakes 10,000–11,000 feet (3,000–3,400 m) above sea level.

The vegetation of the Forest grades from sparse, desert-type plants at the lower elevations to stand of low-growing pinyon pine and juniper dominating the mid-elevations.

The Dixie Forest Reserve was established on September 25, 1905 by the United States General Land Office.