Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cedar Breaks National Monument
85 miles N of the main section of Zion National Park; 56 miles W of Bryce Canyon National Park
A delightful little park, Cedar Breaks is a wonderful place to spend anywhere from
a few hours to several days, gazing down from the rim into the spectacular natural
amphitheater, hiking the trails, and camping among the spruce and fir trees.
This natural coliseum, which reminds us of Bryce Canyon, is more than 2,000
feet deep and over 3 miles across; it's filled with stone spires, arches, and columns
painted in ever-changing reds, purples, oranges, and ochers. But why “Cedar
Breaks”? Well, the pioneers who came here called such badlands “breaks,” and
they mistook the juniper trees along the cliff bases for cedars.
Essentials
At over 10,000 feet of elevation, it's always pleasantly cool at Cedar Breaks. It ac-
tually gets downright cold at night, so bring a jacket or sweater, even if the tem-
perature is scorching just down the road in St. George. The monument is open to
those traveling by car, truck, or RV for a short summer season—from after the snow
melts, usually in late May, until the first heavy snow, usually in mid-November.
However, if you have a snowmobile or a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes,
you can visit throughout the winter.
GETTINGTHERE
From Zion National Park, head west on Utah 9, then north on Utah
17 to I-15. Follow the interstate north to exit 57 for Cedar City, and head east on
Utah 14 to Utah 148. Turn north (left), and follow Utah 148 into the monument.
If you're coming from Bryce Canyon, which is 56 miles east of the monument, or
other points east, the park is accessible from the town of Panguitch via Utah 143.
If you're traveling from the north, take the Parowan exit off I-15 and head south
on Utah 143. It's a steep climb from whichever direction you choose, and vehicles
prone to vapor lock or loss of power on steep hills (such as RVs) may have some
problems.
INFORMATION/VISITORCENTER
A mile from the south entrance gate, you'll find the
visitor center,
which is usually open daily from late May through mid-October,
daily from 9am to 6pm (closed the rest of the year). The visitor center has exhibits
on the geology, flora, and fauna of Cedar Breaks. You can purchase books and
maps here, and rangers can help you plan your visit. For advance information, con-
tact
CedarBreaksNationalMonument,
2390 W. Utah 56, Ste. 11, Cedar City, UT
84720 (
&
435/586-9451
(administrative office) or 435/586-0787 (monument office,
open in summer only; www.nps.gov/cebr).
