Day Eight – Cedar Breaks National Monument is one our nation’s small parks that often gets lost in the proverbial shuffle because of its close proximity to the “big boys”: Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce. But you are going to see it in all of its glory. It packs more into one little park than you can possibly imagine: alpine lakes and meadows, spooky black lava fields, panoramic vistas that seem to go on forever, one of Utah’s premiere ski resorts at Brian Head Mountain, and a mini-Bryce with spacey pinnacles and hoodoos galore. There’s a magical surprise around every corner!
How to Get There
Begin your day after breakfast at the Bryce Canyon Lodge with the
Scenic Drive to Rainbow Point in Bryce National Park (36 miles
RT with numerous viewpoints)
Backtrack and leave the park, heading north on Highway 63. Turn
left at Highway 12. Turn left on Highway 89. You are retracing
your drive from the previous day. (30 miles)
Turn right onto Highway 14 and follow the signs to Cedar Breaks.
(30 miles)
Best Lodging
The Grand Lodge at Brian Head ($150)
“Grand Lodge at Brian Head is located in the beautiful ski resort town of Brian Head, Utah. Surrounded by breathtaking views and magnificent scenery, we are the perfect location for lovers of the great outdoors.
Discover the local area by visiting Brian Head Ski Resort for skiing, snowboarding and tubing. In the summer, guests can enjoy endless hiking, mountain biking, and ATV trails as well as great fishing spots.
Enjoy fantastic views from every one of our modern, spacious guest rooms and an array of amenities to make you feel at home. Order room service or explore the natural beauty around the resort. 
Each guest features Mission-style furniture in light natural wood tones, exposed wood beams, textured upholstery fabrics, luxurious white bed linens, nature photography and rustic bronze accented accommodations. Vibrant colors are inspired by the surrounding landscape – soft green and aspen yellow, deep red and rich rust flow throughout the interior.”
– Grand Lodge Brochure
Camping
Point Supreme Campground
Come camp at 10,000 feet elevation! Camping is available from mid-June to mid-September. Note that the campground opening and closing dates may be slightly earlier or later and is subject to favorable weather. Call (435) 586-9451 or (435) 586-0787 for more details and to confirm opening and closing dates.
Fees
$18 Per Night; $9 Per Night with a Senior Pass or Access Pass.
This fee is paid at the self-pay station at the entrance to the campground or when reserving a site at www.recreation.gov
Capacity and Reservations
Point Supreme Campground has 25 campsites and accommodates both tents and RVs. Ten sites are available for reservations on www.recreation.gov: eight RV/tent sites and two tent only sites. The remaining 15 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites best for RVs include sites 1,4,5,6,7,8,10,11,14,15,16, and 21. For most large motor homes sites 1,8,15 and 21 are preferred. There is no slideout on the driver side at sites 8, 15, and 21. Tent only sites are 12 and 13. Camping is NOT permitted in parking lots or at overlooks.
Best Places To Eat
Bryce Canyon Lodge (Breakfast)
Duck Quick Café in Duck Creek Village (Lunch)
Grand Lodge @ Brian Head (Dinner)
Best Things To Do
On Dixie National Forest and check out Red Canyon. (trailheads
for several short hikes are right next to Highway 12!)
Duck Creek Village – Rent and ATV and go for a spin.
Lava Fields just past Duck Creek ( Ancient Volcanoes carved this
amazing landscape.)
Navajo Lake – Take a few minutes to check out this rapidly disappearing lake surrounded by the black rock remnants of a powerful volcano. There is a well-marked sign to the park road that takes you down to the lake.
Save Money!
- Annual Pass – Don’t forget to use the Annual Pass you purchased at Zion. This will get you into the park for free. This is your sixth and final National Park. Your pass has now paid for itself and put another $70 in your pocket!
Cedar Breaks
Check out the Visitor Center Cabin and Overlook
“Cedar Breaks National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located in the U.S. state of Utah near Cedar City. Cedar Breaks is a natural amphitheater, stretching across 3 miles , with a depth of over 2,000 feet. The elevation of the rim of the amphitheater is over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) above sea level. The eroded rock of the amphitheater is more eroded than, but otherwise similar to formations at Bryce Canyon National Park, Red Canyon in Dixie National Forest and select areas of Cedar Mountain (SR-14). Because of its elevation, snow often makes parts of the park inaccessible to vehicles from October through May. Its rim visitor center is open from June through October. Several hundred thousand people visit the monument annually. The monument area is the headwaters of Mammoth Creek, a tributary of the Sevier River.”
Cedar Breaks National Monument
– National Park Service Brochure
Best Hikes
Short hikes along Highway 12 in Red Canyon (trailheads right
along the road)
Spectra Point/Ramparts Overlook Trail – This is a four-mile round-trip along the rim, with spectacular views in all directions. The bristlecone pines, one of the longest-living species of trees, are found along this trail. The oldest known tree in the monument is over 1,600 years old. At 10,500 feet, this hike is moderately strenuous and is not recommended for persons with cardiac or pulmonary health problems. Bring adequate footwear for hiking, a hat and sunscreen, something to protect you from the cool winds, and lots of water to drink. If you just hike to Spectra Point Overlook, the trip is only a two-mile round-trip.
Alpine Pond Nature Trail –This trail is a two-mile double-loop trail through forest and meadows. The lower trail offers excellent views of the “breaks.” The upper trail takes you past meadows of native wildflowers, through spruce-fir-aspen forest, and past ancient deposits of volcanic materials. Located half-way through the loop is the Alpine pond. This natural, spring-fed pond offers visitors a quiet location to enjoy and relax. A small strand of bristlecone pines can also be viewed from this trail. The Alpine Pond is easy to moderate in difficulty. For a shorter trail, take the cut-off at the pond to make the hike a one-mile loop trail.
Point Supreme Overlook – The overlook at Point Supreme provides the best view of Cedar Breaks where most of the natural rock amphitheater is visible from this vantage point. It is also the site of the very cool Visitor Center and gift shop located in a historic log cabin. The daily ranger programs leave from this location. The picnic area is located nearby where picnic tables are scattered throughout a picturesque meadow. Drinking water and grills are provided.
Best Things To Do
Scenic Drive – The 6-mile Scenic Drive through Cedar Breaks is a great way to see the park. Make sure you stop at the Point Supreme Overlook, the Sunset View Overlook, and the Chessmen Ridge Overlook. And it is on the way to Brian Head.
Insider Tips!
- Remember that you are at about 10,000 feet and the oxygen is thinner, so it’s harder to breathe. And don’t be surprised if you encounter snow, both on the ground and falling from the sky. And beware of lightning!
- The park features numerous seasonal festivals: Wildflower Festival (July 4 – 19), Stories of the Past Festival (August 22 – 23), BioPlast! Bats! Birds and Bugs! (July 24 – 26), and the Fall Nature Festival (September 26 – 27) as the trees turn and winter beckons.
- The park offers Star Parties every Saturday between July and September, and a special Star Party at the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower in mid-August. The party begins at 9:30 and lasts for 2 hours. Dress warmly!
- The park offers some great Campfire Programs at the Point Supreme Campground Amphitheater beginning at 9 each night and lasting about an hour.
- Ranger Walks along the Cedar Break Trail leave every day at 2 PM from the Visitor Center.
