Cedar Breaks National Monument: Plan Your Visit

My first visit to Cedar Breaks National Monument was simply driving through to get a taste of what may be there. It wasn’t until years later I made it back to explore what the landscape had to offer. There are beautiful views of orange rock canyons and lush green forests.

Here are a few things that will help you plan your visit to Cedar Breaks National Monument just east of Cedar City, Utah.

Getting to Cedar Breaks National Monument

Highway 148 runs right through Cedar Breaks National Monument. All of the hiking trails, visitor center and campground can be accessed from that main road.

However, the road is closed November through May because of snow. There is a way to ski or snowshoe in to the trails – but my visits have only been in the late spring and summer.

RELATED POST: Camping at Cedar Breaks National Monument

From Cedar City, head east on Highway 14 until you reach Highway 143. Head north and make your way up the mountain. You’ll enter the park and see signs marking the various trailheads and stops along the way.

If you’re traveling from the north, jump off I-15 in Parowan. Follow the signs along Highway 143 to Brian Head Ski Resort. That road connects to Highway 148.

You can access the monument from the east as well. Highway 89 connects to Highway 143 and Highway 14, allowing access from the north or south routes respectively.

While you’re in the area, you can also visit Zion National Park or Snow Canyon State Park.

Visitor Center and Point Supreme Overlook

The first spot to stop is the Visitor Center. That’s where you pay the park entrance fee. You can also grab a souvenir, speak with a park ranger, or grab the map and find the trails you want to explore.

Just east of the Visitor Center is an amazing overlook of the orange rocks, cliffs and hoodoos. The Point Supreme overlook gives you a sense of the size of Cedar Breaks. There’s a little stone wall that’s meant to stop you and young kids from getting too close to the edge. Probably good to keep kids from climbing on or over that wall.

If you’re wanting to see the Milky Way, Cedar Breaks is known for it’s dark skies. I haven’t been there yet to experience that, but it’s on my to-do list.

Hike to Spectra Point and Ramparts Overlook

Before you start hiking, note that you’re at an elevation of 10,300 feet. Elevation sickness is a real thing. The hikes may seem tougher than you anticipated because of the high elevation.

It’s also important to bring plenty of water with you so you can stay hydrated.

From the same parking lot as the Visitor Center, you’ll definitely want to make the hike to Spectra Point. The trail follows along the cliff’s edge and to an outcropping of rock. This viewpoint has a better safety fence. Probably because the cliffs are steeper.

RELATED POST: 7 Ways to Make Hiking Fun for Kids

If you’re afraid of heights, you’ll want to stay away from the see-through fence. 😉

Don’t stop at Spectra Point. You can continue further west along the trail toward Ramparts Overlook. While the views are amazing, don’t pass up the colorful wildflowers along the trail.

DISTANCE: 2 miles roundtrip to Spectra Point and 4 miles roundtrip to Ramparts Overlook.
CATEGORY: Moderate

Explore Alpine Pond Trail in Cedar Breaks

Cedar Breaks has beautiful expansive landscapes along the cliffside of the park. I was surprised when we decided to hike the Alpine Pond Trail and found ourselves surrounded by lush green forests and colorful wildflowers.

The Alpine Pond Trail is a loop, so you can access it from the parking lot trailhead on the north or from the Chessman Ridge Overlook on the south.

Each side of the loop offers different scenery than the other side. The upper side is closer to the cliff face, offering you a view of the orange hoodoos and spires on the west. The lower side takes you through the green forest landscapes. Both sides are worth exploring.

It’s an easy hike – great for just about anyone interested in exploring the great outdoors. If you aren’t interested in making the full 2.4-mile loop, there is a connection in the middle of the loop that will allow you to cut your length in half.

DISTANCE: 2.4 miles roundtrip
CATEGORY: Easy
E

The Details

Address: Along Highway 148 just east of Cedar City, Utah.

Cost: A fee of $7 per person ( for those ages 16+) is required when stopping and visiting Cedar Breaks National Monument. If you’re simply driving through, no fee is required. An annual pass allows you to enter the park, and all other national parks and monuments, without paying the park entrance fee.

Hours: Cedar Breaks National Monument is open 365 days a year. However, winter weather may restrict road travel and visitor amenities (like bathrooms and the Visitor Center). Late-May to mid-October is when the park amenities and campgrounds are open.

Website: https://www.nps.gov/cebr/index.htm

Phone: (435) 586-9451 x4420

PIN THIS