Cedar Breaks
National Monument
VISITATION:
Highest in July and August; lowest in January and February (visitor facilities
closed from mid-October through late May).
LOCATION:
23 miles east of Cedar City, Utah ADDRESS:
Cedar Breaks National Monument 2390 West Highway 56, Suite #11 Cedar City, Utah
84720-4151
TELEPHONE:
(435) 586-9451
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
From early June to early September, the visitor center is open from 8:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. From Labor Day until mid-October, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to
5:30 p.m. All visitor facilities are CLOSED during the winter season (mid-October
through late May).
FEES, COSTS, RATES:
1999 entrance fee for a single, noncommercial, private vehicle is $4.00 for
a seven-day permit. Entrance fee for pedestrians and bicyclists is $2.00 per
person, for a seven-day permit. Commercial vehicle entrance fees are $100 for
buses (26 or more seats) and $40 for vans (7-25 seats). Entrance fees for commercial
sedans (1-6 seats) are a flat rate of $25 plus $2 per passenger.
DIRECTIONS:
Visitors traveling south on I-15, exit at Parowan, then take Utah Highway 143
east, to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Visitors traveling north, on I-15 exit
at Cedar City, then take Utah Highway 14 east for 18 miles, then Utah Highway
148 north, 4 miles to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Visitors traveling north/south
on U.S. Highway 89, can take either Utah Highway 143 from Panguitch to Cedar
Breaks, or Utah Highway 14 west, to Utah Highway 148, and north to Cedar Breaks
National Monument.
TRANSPORTATION:
To Park: access by Interstate 15, or US Highway 89, to Utah Highways 14, 143
and 148. Cedar City is serviced by a municipal airport with scheduled passenger
service, and by various bus lines.
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle or foot.
FACILITIES:
Visitor center is open from late May through mid-October. The visitor center
has a bookstore operated by the Zion Natural History Association.
Trails, Roads:
Point Supreme Overlook is adjacent to the visitor center. Three additional developed
overlooks are located along a five mile scenic drive. Two designated hiking
trails: Spectra Point/Ramparts trail (two to four miles round-trip), and Alpine
Pond self-guided nature trail (two mile loop). PROGRAMS: Geology talks
are presented during the summer, on the hour from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily,
at the Point Supreme Overlook. (The rest of this section is correct as is, except:
Change telephone number in last sentence of last paragraph to new area code
(435)) CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED
Programs
Geology talks given during the summer, Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m.,
and daily at 2:30 p.m., at the Point Supreme Overlook. Join a Cedar Breaks ranger
to learn about the basic geologic story of the Cedar Breaks amphitheater. During
inclement weather, this presentation will be held inside the visitor center.
Guided nature walks given during the summer, Saturdays and Sundays at 10:00 a.m., weather and trail conditions permitting. Meet at the Spectra Point trailhead in the visitor center parking lot. This two mile round trip hike will take you along the rim of the geologic amphitheater to a stand of Bristlecone pines, one of the world's longest living tree species. A ranger will lead the hike out to Spectra Point, and along the way you will learn more of the geology of the park and the plant and animal life of Cedar Breaks. This is a moderately strenuous hike at elevations of 10,500 feet. It is NOT recommended for persons with cardiac or pulmonary health problems. Bring adequate footwear for hiking, and something to protect you from the cool winds.
Evening campfire programs given each evening during the summer through Labor Day, at the campground amphitheater (in case of rain, the programs will be held inside the visitor center). Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. Times and subjects vary throughout the week, so stop by the visitor center or call (801) 586-9451 to check on what program will be presented at the time of your visit.
Lodging and camping facilities:
Thirty site campground, no group sites. Limit eight persons per site. It has
a picnic area.
Food/supplies:
No food or supplies are available within the park. The nearby towns of Brian
Head, Cedar City, Parowan, Duck Creek Village and Panguitch have stores and
restaurants.
Accessibility:
The visitor center, comfort stations, overlooks, picnic area and campground
are wheelchair accessible.
CLOTHING:
All visitor facilities and the scenic rim drive are located over 10,000 feet
above sea level. In summer, daytime highs are cool, with temperatures in the
upper 50's to upper 60's. Overnight lows during the summer are in the upper
30's to lower 50's. Subfreezing temperatures, snow and high winds can occur
at any time of the year. Afternoon thunderstorms are common through July and
August. Winter visitors who enter the park via skis or snowmobiles, must be
prepared for extreme winter conditions. Visitors should bring a jacket and comfortable
walking shoes or sturdy hiking boots, if planning to hike on either of the park's
two hiking trails.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
Sightseeing includes magnificent vistas to the west, across the Escalante desert,
into Nevada. Visibility exceeds 100 miles at times. Watchable wildlife is abundant.
Hiking trails offer a closer look at the park. Picnicking and camping is permitted
in designated locations.
RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
Reservations for school groups or other educational groups should be made at
least two weeks prior to the visit. Special use permit requires at least one
month's notice and an application. Commercial filming permits are arranged on
an individual basis, depending on the nature and size of the project (movies,
advertisements, etc., how many park personnel might be involved, and how much
time the project will take). For additional information concerning reservations,
special use or filming permits, call (435) 586-9451. Campsites may not be reserved.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
A typical day visit would require one to four hours. A minimum visit should
include the visitor center, Point Supreme and the scenic drive and overlooks.
Additional time will be required for those wishing to hike the Spectra Point/Ramparts
trail (two to four miles) or Alpine Pond Trail (a two mile loop).
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
The park is surrounded on all sides by the Dixie National Forest and to
the west by the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area. Brian Head Resort is located
three miles north of the park, and during the summer the Utah Shakespearean
Festival is held in Cedar City. Fishing opportunities are at nearby Navajo
Lake (11 miles), Duck Creek (15 miles), or Panguitch Lake (13 miles). Several
national and state parks are within a 100-mile radius of the park, including
Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Iron Mission State Park, Snow
Canyon State Park, and Quail Lake State Park.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Call (435) 586-9451.
Last updated 3/15/99