cedar breaks national monument

Cedar Breaks is very high, at around 10,000 ft. In addition to the cooler temps. you will get spectacular views!! You can also see Bristlecone Pines, the longest living tree on earth. There is an entrance fee, but if you are in southern Utah, it's worth getting the Interagency Parks Pass with all the other amazing national parks nearby. If you are 62 and a US citizen, get the Senior Pass for only $10.

Cedar Breaks is a breathtaking display of colorful, sheer cliffs dropping from the viewpoint on the road to Brian Head to the valley floor. This spectacular natural phenomenon can also be seen from the highway below. A bonus to visiting the Visitor Center is seeing the delicate wildflowers growing nearby in the summer, especially the snow white columbine.

CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT (UTAH’S HIDDEN BYWAYS XVI) If there were a park that many people drive past without knowing of its existence, it would be CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT, located in southwestern Utah. This small, but highly photogenic, monument is a condensed version of Bryce Canyon National Park farther east. Its lack of traffic lies in the fact that there is only one or two small signs marking the turn-off from Interstate-15, with traffic flying by at speed exceeding 70 mph. Cedar Breaks National Monument, which lies on the Markagunt Plateau, is an extraordinary area of Claron Formation limestone, shale, and sandstone. This area has been eroded by wind, ice, and water over geologic times. These fanciful Buttes, Mesas, and Amphitheater with unique names, as well as hoodoos of exceptional shapes and colors, give the traveler a short trip through geologic time. The colors and shadows emanating from these eroding structures and monoliths produce visual images that make this area highly photogenic. Furthermore, this area is not that difficult to drive to, and on, as long as simple precautions are observed. DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRIP IF YOU HAVE ANY PULMUNARY PROBLEMS THAT ALTITUDE MAY AFFECT. A GOOD PORTION OF THE MONUMENT ROAD IS OVER 10,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL. I AM NOT KIDDING!!! FURTHERMORE, BRING WATER, FOOD, AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR VEHICLE AND YOUESELF. A GOOD AREA MAP IS ESSENTIAL FOR FORMATION IDENTIFICATION. You can find the entrances, and obtain access, to this monument by driving about 20 to 25 miles southeast of Cedar City, Utah on SR 14E; 30 miles southwest of Panguitch, Utah on SR143W; or 21 miles south of I-15 via SR 143S. If you are coming southeast from Cedar City on Utah SR14E, the entrance sign will be on your LEFT, via SR 148. The road is very well marked with an entrance station (fee area). Route Utah SR 148 is the main route servicing the monument. Be aware of all signs denoting viewpoints in order to avoid traffic problems. In addition, be aware of weather conditions as you travel on these roads, because you will have to bail out fast if a thunderstorm approaches. Since we were coming in from Salt Lake City, we opted to use the I-15/SR143S approach. Unfortunately, we were delayed in the area of Brian Head town for one hour by repaving. This approach has numerous switchbacks, but also some outstanding scenery. As an amateur photographer, I have found that the best lighting is in the early afternoon, when the sun provides full light on the main amphitheater, which is the major feature of the monument. There is also the Alpine Pond trail along the plateau rim, along with the four mile Ramparts trail (moderate/strenuous), for your viewing pleasure. There are four main overlooks along the six mile monument road. Take them all if you can. My two favorites are Sunset View and Point Supreme Overlooks, both above the 10,000 foot level. I love to stand at these viewpoints and enjoy the show that nature is providing. I have taken many images of this magnificent panorama (see images), but nothing beats standing there with the wind in your face. There is a delightful Visitors Center in a smallish cabin at the rim near the Point Supreme Overlook, which is next to the campground. The Visitors/Ranger Center does sell the usual fare, but also has a delightful section pertaining to the wildflowers of the region. There are also restroom facilities here for the needy. Be sure and spend a couple of hours wandering around the viewpoints and assimilating the grandeur that nature has provided. Take pictures and leave footprints, so that future generations that pass this way will have the same experience as you are having. DO NOT DEFACE THE ROCKS OR ITS SURROUNDINGS. YOU ARE ON FEDERAL PROPERTY, AND IT IS AGAINST THE LAW. LEAVE IT THE WAY NATURE INTENDED IT TO BE LEFT! If you exit the national monument and make a LEFT from Utah SR148 onto Utah SR14E, you will soon encounter Navajo Lake. Take a couple of minutes and enjoy the view. Continuing on SR14E will get you to the junction of Utah SR89. Making a left and taking SR89N will get you to Bryce Canyon National Park, while a right onto SR89S will take you to the Zion National Park access road. You can also backtrack on SR14W to Cedar City, Utah, or I-15 (North and South) for your trip home. Enjoy the trip and be safe. ALASKASEEKER (B.I.N.)

After leaving Bryce National Park you can head to a less traveled area for more breathtaking scenery. It is a bit of a drive but you can stop at several vista points and get some wonderful pictures.

Nothing can really prepare you for your first view of Cedar Breaks. The colors and fascinating geology are just beautiful. My family and I went here after hiking 6 miles in Zion National Park that morning and before we headed over to Bryce Canyon National Park. We then hiked out to Spectra Point, which is definitely worth it to explore the different fauna, as well as capture some spectacular views at the end. You should also check out the Bristlecone Pines right before you reach Spectra Point (they are impossible to miss). If we had more time and weren't so tired, it would probably have been worth it to hike the entire Ramparts Trail. Tips; I would encourage you to visit Cedar Breaks before visiting Bryce, just because the colors are somewhat similar. Cedar Breaks is much smaller than Bryce and only warrants a 2 hr visit (if you are tight on time). I really enjoyed Cedar Breaks, much more than I expected!

Being a local, I've been to Cedar Breaks many times! If you don't have the time to go to Bryce, I would recommend a 2-hour trip up to the Breaks, especially in the summer when the hiking trails are open. The main trail around the edge is excellent for photos, but there aren't any hikes down into the hoodoos. The Ranger center also will have events periodically (like snowshoeing or stargazing), which are more fun than just stopping in.

Great. Not as much traffic as the National Park. Wonder view. Bring good camera. Good hiking trail. You can't bring dogs into National Parks. But, I was able to bring my furry kids to the hike in this National Monument.

In contrast to the nearby Zion and Bryce National Parks, Cedar Breaks seemingly receives less attention, which is a major plus for visitors. You can actually experience this wonderful place with less distractions, and absorb the rock formations, colors and shapes more serenely. I cannot really add much to the all of the other great accolades from other reviewers, but just wanted to emphasize on how quiet and peaceful this place is. It is almost like a natural cathedral. This is a 'must-see' for anyone coming to southwest Utah.

The Breaks offer beautiful view and colors. We did a couple of day hikes and they were nice, but you begin at the top, so it's always a chore to hike back up to the car if you're not used to the elevation. Colors for pictures are similar to other parks in Southern Utah, but this place is not so crowded as the others. You can take short walks to overviews, which are great at sunset. I do recommend a more lengthy time to do a hike down into the breaks.

I'm sure you have seen beautiful pictures of Cedar Breaks. But, you may not have heard of the hike that begins at the north entrance to the national monument called Rattle Snake Creek. Thishike takes you down beside the breaks, past some of the oldest trees on the planet(Bristlecone Pines). Through forest of tall pines, beautiful alpine meadows, beside three different streams, past a couple of terrific waterfalls, and on through a water created tunnel. You will see fossilevidence of a prehistoric lakes(Bonneville) and look up at a large natural Arch(Flanigan's Arch).Be prepared to hike in the stream bed for a mile or so. You will decend several thousand feet ofelevation. The hike will take about 8 hrs. Be prepared to be blown away at the beauty that willsurround you.You will need to leave a drop car at the bottom of the hike. Google Rattle Creek/Ashdown Gorge for more details

A worthwhile trip to Cedar breaks. Very quite but beautiful! Not mention the altitudes! Do not forget to buy a park pass!

Cedar Breaks National Monument is a very beautiful spot. Similar to Bryce Canyon. It has nice trails and pretty overlooks. Beautiful countryside around.

Cedar Breaks National Monument is a great place to visit if you are in or near Cedar City. It is only about 20 minutes up Highway 14 out of Cedar. If you keep following Highway 14 and then take 89 (about 1 1/2 hours out of Cedar) you can also see Bryce Canyon National Park. And don't forget Zion National Park (my personal favorite) while you are in the area as well. You gotta love good ol' Utah :)

This seems to be a hidden gem. We had already visited Bryce and were pleasantly surprised to find another park that resembled it but smaller. Colors in the canyon are spectacular. We walked some of the trails and enjoyed the scenery. This is at a very high altitude. Each lookout is worth stopping at. We were there very early in the morning. We enjoyed our day there...probably spent about 3 hours there.

Beautiful scenery, hikes of varying length and difficulty, and spectacular views. Road closed when there is snow so if coming to Southern Utah in the winter you may not be able to get there. Any other time it's a great place to get some nature in.