Cedar Breaks National Monument is a huge natural amphitheater that has been eroded out of the variegated Pink Cliffs (Claron Formation) near Cedar City, Utah. Millions of years of sedimentation, uplift and erosion have created a deep canyon of rock walls, fins, spires and columns, that spans some three miles and is over 2,000 feet deep. The rim of the canyon is over 10,000 feet above sea level and is forested with islands of Englemann spruce, subalpine fir and aspen; separated by broad meadows of brilliant summertime wild flowers.
Recreation
The Cedar Breaks Scenic Drive offers beautiful views of the rock formations, meadows and forests. Four developed overlooks and trailheads for two hiking trails, are located along the scenic drive.Spectra Point/Ramparts Trail: Moderately strenuous at 10,000 feet above sea level, this trail leads for one mile to the Spectra Point Overlook. Many visitors return to the trailhead from Spectra Point, making a two mile round trip. Hikers who are prepared for a slightly more strenuous stretch on this trail may continue one mile further to the Ramparts Overlook at trail’s end, then hike the two miles back to the trailhead for a four mile round trip.
Alpine Pond Trail: This is a two mile self-guided loop trail through meadows and forest to a small spring-fed pond. Illustrated trail guides may be purchased at each trailhead for this moderately strenuous hike.
Geology programs are presented on the hour between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily, from late May through mid-October at the Point Supreme overlook.
Getting There
By Car
Visitors traveling south on Interstate 15, exit at Parowan, then take Utah Highway 143 east, to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Visitors traveling north, on Interstate 15 exit at Cedar City, then take Utah Highway 14 east for 18 miles, then Utah Highway 148 north, 4 miles to Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Visitors traveling north/south on U. S. Highway 89, can take either Utah Highway 143 from Panguitch to Cedar Breaks, or Utah Highway 14 west, to Utah Highway 148 and north to Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
Cedar Breaks National Monument
2390 West Highway 56, Suite 11
Cedar City, UT 84720-4151
Phone: 435-586-9451
Fax: 435-586-3813
Operating Hours & Seasons
From early June to mid-October, the visitor center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All summer visitor facilities are CLOSED from mid-October through late May.
The Cedar Breaks Scenic Drive remains open to vehicular traffic until snow and heavy drifting occur, normally anywhere from late October to early December. Please call 435-586-9451 to check the status of the road before traveling to Cedar Breaks during this time. Winter recreational activities begin once there is sufficient snow depth for cross-country ski, snowshoe and snowmobile trails.
