Frontier Homestead State Park Museum in Utah

We’ve driven through Cedar City many times on our way to St. George. We knew Cedar Breaks National Monument was nearby, but until a few months ago, I had no clue an amazing Utah State Park – the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum – was there.

My brother joined me for a business trip to St. George, and on the way back to Salt Lake City, we stopped at the park to see if it was worth revisiting with the family in the future. In short – YES! It’s totally worth a visit.

Here’s your guide to the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum in Cedar City, Utah.

The Stagecoach and Wagon Museum

After checking in at the front desk, you’ll enter the stagecoach and wagon museum. We started at one end and made our way across the room. The Wells Fargo Stagecoach was open so we could climb aboard. There were old cars, as well as a wagon odometer to show you how that worked.

At each of the exhibits, there’s a phone number and code. Use your phone to call in and learn more about the wagon or artifact you’re looking at.

The museum even includes a printing press and textiles demonstration area. Check the schedule to see if there’s one happening during your visit.

The Hunter House – Cedar City’s Oldest Remaining Brick House

Walk through Cedar City’s oldest remaining brick house. The furniture, books, and record players are from back in the day, creating an atmosphere of having traveled back in time.

Be sure to head up stairs to see the second floor, which includes the master bedroom.

On your way out, make sure you close the door. The house is climate controlled to help protect the artifacts.

Pioneer Village: Home, School and More

The pioneer village area was one of the highlights from the visit. Step into a log cabin to see how a family lived in a single, one-bedroom home. You can even take some laundry out back and wash it with a scrubbing board. Then hang it on the clothes line to dry.

Another log cabin has some Lincoln Logs so you can try your own hand at building a home.

There’s a jail cell (more of a cage, really), along with a fake cow for a photo opp at what it looks like milking a cow. Kinda cheesy, but I’m sure the kids would have fun with it.

The school house was fun, too. We each put on a dunce cap and sat in the corner for a photo. We also tried our hand at the Deseret alphabet before climbing the stairs to the second floor to see where the teachers slept.

Don’t forget to check out the sheep shearing building, or try your hand at a game of horseshoes. I beat my brother, by the way!

Mining for Gold and Iron in Utah

Cedar City is located in Iron County. You can probably guess how the county got its name. There’s an area of the park that covers various aspects of mining. I enjoyed panning for gold and was able to find a nugget! Gotta love pyrite – but just let your kids believe it’s real gold. Haha!

The large rock tower nearby explains the process of mining for ore – more specifically, Iron. A lodgepole pine fort allows you to try your hand at tying knots in ropes or sitting in a horse-drawn wagon.

Don’t miss the chance to climb into an old mine cart and have someone take your photo. There’s also some native American drawings and a pit house you can explore. If you time your visit right, you may be able to see some ax throwing or shoot some arrows.

Farming Tools from the Day of the Pioneers

The guy at the front desk mentioned a few of the highlights of the museum when we initially checked in. He said a lot of old-timers enjoy checking out the vintage farming equipment. I couldn’t tell you what any of them were for, but they’re interesting to look at.

If you’ve got your kids with you, grab a Junior Curator book at the front desk and have them complete the activities in the book during your visit. Once complete, they can get a Junior Curator badge.

My family will definitely be making a stop at the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum so my kids can enjoy all the activities my brother and I were able to do. Your family should stop in, too.

The Details

Address: 635 N. Main, Cedar City, UT 84721

Cost: $4 per person. A Utah State Parks pass will provide access to multiple state parks throughout Utah, including the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum.

Hours: September to May, 9 am – 5 pm, Monday through Saturday. June to Aug., 9 am – 6 pm, Monday through Sunday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.

Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/frontier-homestead/

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