Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument sits high atop the Colorado Plateau in southwestern Utah, offering visitors a chance to witness an extraordinary geological amphitheater carved over millions of years. It’s a natural wonder you may never heard of, being eclipsed by Utah’s more famous national parks of Zion and Bryce Canyon.
At more than 10,000 feet above sea level, the rim provides sweeping views of vivid red and orange hoodoos plunging 2,000 feet below. The monument’s dramatic landscape and high-elevation environment make it a must-see for nature enthusiasts traveling between Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks. Popular activities include scenic drives, short rim hikes, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and stargazing in clear mountain skies.
Destination Details
| Season | Year-round, but limited winter access (mid-October to late May) |
| Location | Southwest Utah, east of Cedar City |
| General GPS Coordinates | 37.657113, -112.834011 |
| Management | U.S. National Park Service |
| Size | ~ 6,155 acres |
| Nearest major city | Cedar City, Utah (about 25 miles west) |
How to Get to Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument lies off Interstate 15, approximately 25 miles east of Cedar City, Utah. From Cedar City, follow UT-14 east for about 18 miles and turn left (north) onto UT-148. Continue for approximately four miles to reach the main park area, including the visitor center and scenic overlooks.
During the winter months, heavy snowfall often closes parts of UT-148, limiting access to snowmobile, snowshoe, or cross-country ski only. Visitors are encouraged to check current road conditions before traveling. Depending on road conditions, it is often possible to access by traveling further north from Cedar City on I-15 to the town of Parawan, then following UT-143 to the mountain resort town of Brian Head. From Brian Head, continue on UT-143 to the North View Lookout, which offers sweeping views of the natural amphitheater.
Destination Overview
Cedar Breaks National Monument is part of the same plateau system that forms Zion National Park, yet it features a unique geological identity all its own. The natural amphitheater—half a mile deep and known for its brightly colored spires and hoodoos—offers some of the state’s most striking panoramas.
Geologically, Cedar Breaks is carved from the Claron Formation—sedimentary rock layers composed primarily of limestone. Over millions of years, weathering and erosion shaped the colorful spires, hoodoos, and deep chasms. These striking rock layers also harbor fossilized remains of ancient freshwater creatures, offering evidence of a time when large lakes and lush forests dominated what is now an arid plateau. The amphitheater’s vibrant hues come from varying mineral content, including iron oxide, which gives the rock its trademark reds and oranges, and manganese oxide, which contributes deeper purples and magentas.
Things to Do at Cedar Breaks
The high elevation brings cooler temperatures and a variety of seasonal activities. In summer, visitors can enjoy easy-to-moderate rim hikes with lookout points showcasing the park’s vibrant rock formations. The Scenic Drive and multiple pullouts along UT-148 provide accessible viewpoints.
Hiking
Cedar Breaks offers hiking trails of varying difficulty.
Sunset Trail: 2 miles, roundtrip
The easy, paved, wheelchair-accessible path passes through the Point Supreme picnic area and campground. It connects the Point Supreme and Sunset View overlooks and offers gentle slopes and many rest areas.
Alpine Pond Loop Trail: 2 miles
Easy to moderate. The upper trail takes you past meadows of native wildflowers, through spruce-fir-aspen forest, and past ancient deposits of volcanic materials. The lower trail offers excellent views of the “breaks.”
South Rim Trail: 5 miles, roundtrip
Moderately strenuous, not recommended for those with cardiac or pulmonary problems. The trail follows the plateau rim. It includes steep climbs, spectacular views, and ancient bristlecone pines. Viewpoints along the trail include Spectra Point (1 mile), Ramparts Overlook (2 miles), and the Bartizan (2½ miles).
Mountain Biking
The area offers a number of mountian bike trails, including Blowhard Trail, a challenging route that drops over 3,000 feet from the canyon rim to the bottom of the canyon.
Star Gazing
An International Dark Sky Park, Cedar Breaks hosts star parties throughout the year to celebrate and share the beauty of the night sky. Visit the park website for scheduled programs and locations.
Snowshoeing and Snowmobiling
Come winter, the monument transforms into a haven for snow sports, with visitors reaching the rim on skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles. The park service offers ranger-led snowshoe tours during winter.
When my family and I visited, we took a snowmobile tour through Thunder Mountain Sports that left from from Brian Head and brought us to the rim of Cedar Breaks before heading back. It was a fantastic experience and I highly recommend it. We often snowboard at Brian Head in the winter, and always try to make it to the North View Overlook to take in the view.
Camping and Lodging
Point Supreme Campground is the only developed camping area within Cedar Breaks. At 10,000 feet elevation, it is a comfortable place to camp during the hotter summer months, and is surrounded by meadows of wildflowers.
The Point Supreme Campground has 25 campsites and accommodates both tents and RVs. Camping is available from mid-June to mid-September, with the campground opening and closing dates subject to weather conditions. Sites can be reserved at Recreation.gov.
Brian Head offers many options for housing, from lodges to houses – which in my opinion are resonable priced. You can also stay in Parawan or Cedar City.
