A huge natural amphitheater has been eroded out of the variegated Pink Cliffs (Claron Formation) near Cedar City, Utah. Millions of years of sedimentation, uplift and erosion have created a deep canyon of rock walls, fins, spires and columns, that spans some three miles, and is over 2,000 feet deep. The rim of the canyon is over 10,000 feet above sea level, and is forested with islands of Englemann spruce, subalpine fir and aspen; separated by broad meadows of brilliant summertime wild flowers.

The Cedar Breaks Scenic Drive offers beautiful views of the rock formations, meadows and forests. Four developed overlooks, and trailheads for two hiking trails, are located along the scenic drive.

Spectra Point/Ramparts Trail: Moderately strenuous at 10,000 feet above sea level, this trail leads for one mile to the Spectra Point Overlook. Many visitors return to the trailhead from Spectra Point, making a 2-mile round trip. Hikers who are prepared for a slightly more strenuous stretch on this trail may continue one mile further to the Ramparts Overlook at trail's end, then hike the two miles back to the trailhead for a 4-mile round trip.

Alpine Pond Trail: This is a 2-mile self-guided loop trail through meadows and forest to a small spring-fed pond. Illustrated trail guides may be purchased at each trailhead for this moderately strenuous hike.

Geology programs are presented throughout the day, from late May through mid-October at the Point Supreme overlook.

Evening Ranger programs: These informative and entertaining programs are presented each evening during the camping season (mid-June through Labor Day). Daily topics will be posted at the visitor center and other locations throughout the park.

Wildflowers: The meadows at Cedar Breaks are full of a wide variety of wildflowers. Take a camera and a field guide to discover the beauty of alpine flowers. A checklist of the plant species can be obtained at the fee booth.

• 2011 Field Institute Classes ZCFI classes offered for summer 2011. Enjoy Wildflower Photography at Cedar Breaks, Wildflower Journaling at Cedar Breaks, Cedar Mountain Wildflowers, and Cedar Breaks to Brian Head: A Geologic Adventure.

2012 Wildflower Festival Poster Contest

Each year Cedar Breaks conducts a Wildflower Festival Poster Contest. The winner of this competition will appear in the local newspaper and have their artwork used on the collectible 2010 Wildflower Festival poster. The competition will be judged by a committee composed of botanists, college professors, members of the Cedar City Arts Council and representatives from Cedar Breaks National Monument. A $100.00 cash prize will also be awarded to the winner of this contest!
The winning artwork will be selected in May of 2012.  Click here for the contest submission criteria and form.

• 2011 Wildflower Festival Join us for our annual Wildflower Festival July 8 to July 22, 2010. (Note new dates due to late Spring conditions.)

• 2011 Cedar Breaks Events

December 11, 2010 – March 13, 2011:  Cedar Breaks National Monument Winter Season Begins:

January 08, 2011:  Cedar Breaks Snow Ski/Snowshoe Hike:  Part of the family hiking series for the Cedar City Leisure Services.  Join our park rangers for this fun-filled family excursion. Visit our YURT, have some hot chocolate and learn about the park. Meet at Main Street park pavilion (Main Street & 200 N, Cedar City) at 9 am or at Georg’s Ski Shop in Brian Head at 10 am.  Call 435-586-9451 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr for more detailed information. NOTE: This event is dependent upon good weather!

January 22, 2011: Evening Program in Brian Head, presented by Cedar Breaks National Monument: Join Cedar Breaks Park Ranger Kerry Soltis at Cedar Breaks Lodge for a special evening presentation: Constellations: Heroes, Villains and Monsters. Hear the stories behind some of your favorite constellations, from the swaggering Orion to the courageous Perseus. Also learn the history of constellation naming, how we obtained the ones we know today, and what people of other cultures see in the night sky. This hour-long program will begin at 8 pm in the Conference Center. Contact Cedar Breaks National Monument or Cedar Breaks Lodge for more detailed information. And, don’t forget to visit Cedar Breaks in the summer. You’ll be able to explore some of the darkest skies in the country at our monthly Star Parties beginning in July.
Cedar Breaks National Monument: 435-586-9451 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/cebr.
Cedar Breaks Lodge: 435-677-3000.

February 19, 2011:  Cedar Breaks Snow Ski/Snowshoe Hike & Snowman Building Contest:  Join our park rangers for this fun-filled family excursion. Visit our YURT, have some hot chocolate and learn about the park. Bring some eyes, a nose and whatever you think will help you and your family become winners of our snowman building contest. Meet us at Main Street park pavilion (Main Street & 200 N, Cedar City) at 9 am or at Georg’s Ski Shop in Brian Head at 10 am.  Call 435-586-9451 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr for more detailed information. NOTE: This event is dependent upon good weather!

February 26, 2011: Evening Program in Brian Head, presented by Cedar Breaks National Monument: Join Cedar Breaks Park Ranger Russ Cash at Grand Lodge for a special evening presentation: “Cedar Breaks and the CCC” with a Bit of History.  Look into life before and during the Great Depression. Understand the events that led up to the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and view a history of their many accomplishments in the Cedar Breaks area. This hour-long event will begin at 7 pm in the Lift Bar Patio. Contact Cedar Breaks National Monument or Grand Lodge for more detailed information.
Cedar Breaks National Monument: 435-586-9451 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/cebr.
Grand Lodge: 435-677-9000.

March 5, 2011: Cedar Breaks Winter YURT Open House – 10am-2pm: Come join friendly rangers and volunteers for some refreshments and information in a warm, cozy YURT! During winter months, the Yurt is accessible only via cross-country skis, snowshoes or snowmobile. It is located approximately 1 mile south of the junction of Hwy 143 and Hwy 148 just south of Brian Head. Nordic skiers and snowshoers can park at the intersection of Hwy 143 and 148. Call 435-586-9451 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr for more detailed information. NOTE: This event is dependent upon good weather!

March 19, 2011:  Cedar Breaks Snow Ski/Snowshoe Hike:  Join our park rangers for this fun-filled family excursion. Visit our YURT, have some hot chocolate and learn about the park. Meet at Main Street park pavilion (Main Street & 200 N, Cedar City) at 9 am or at Georg’s Ski Shop in Brian Head at 10 am.  Call 435-586-9451 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr for more detailed information. NOTE: This event is dependent upon good weather!

March 26, 2011: Evening Program in Brian Head, presented by Cedar Breaks National Monument: Join Cedar Breaks Park Ranger Braden Yardley at Cedar Breaks Lodge for a special evening presentation: Cedar Breaks is Here “Weather” You Like it or Not. Cedar Breaks has it all: rain showers, wildflowers, and snow plowers. Cedar Breaks is a year round getaway for outdoor enthusiasts. Come and learn about how the extreme weather makes for 365 days of recreation. This hour-long program will begin at 8 pm. Contact Cedar Breaks National Monument or Cedar Breaks Lodge for more detailed information.Cedar breaks National Monument: 435-586-9451 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/cebr.  Cedar Breaks Lodge : 435-677-3000.

April 16, 2011:  Cedar Breaks Snow Ski/Snowshoe Hike & Bonfire in Brian Head:  Join our park rangers for this fun-filled family excursion. Visit our YURT, have some hot chocolate and learn about the park. At 1:30 we’ll travel to the Brian Head fire station for a bonfire and S’mores. Meet at Main Street park pavilion (Main Street & 200 N, Cedar City) at 9 am or at Georg’s Ski Shop in Brian Head at 10 am.  Call 435-586-9451 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr for more detailed information. NOTE: This event is dependent upon good weather!

April 23, 2011: Evening Program, presented by Cedar Breaks National Monument, in Brian Head: Join Cedar Breaks Park Ranger Teri Saa at Grand Lodge for a special evening presentation: California Conders and the Roman Empire, What do they have in Common? Believe it or not, the magnificent California Conder and the ancient Empire of Rome have several life experiences in common. Are you curious? This hour-long program will begin at 7 pm in the Lift Bar Patio. Contact Cedar Breaks National Monument or Grand Lodge for more detailed information.Cedar breaks National Monument: 435-586-9451 or visit the website at www.nps.gov/cebr. Grand Lodge:  435-677-9000.

 May 27, 2011:  Cedar Breaks National Monument Summer Season Opens:
Come join us for Ranger-led hikes, geology programs, exhibits and much, more!  Kids- Become a Junior Ranger.  Call 435-586-9451, 435-586-0787, or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr to verify opening dates and for more detailed information.

June 10, 2011:  Cedar Breaks National Monument Campground Opens:
Come join us for a spectacular camping experience at 10,000 feet elevation.  Our 28-site campground offers tent and RV camping, restrooms and showers.  Note that the campground opening date may be slightly earlier or later and is subject to favorable weather. Call 435-586-0787 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr for more details and to confirm opening dates and ranger campfire program information.

Early July – Late September 2011  Cedar Breaks National Monument Monthly Star Parties:  To celebrate and share the beauty of our dark night skies, Cedar Breaks is hosting a series of “Star Parties” each month.  Star Parties will be held in July, August and September near the new phase of the moon, the darkest and best time to experience the amazing galaxy we all live in. Star viewing through several large telescopes will be held at Point Supreme and facilitated by park staff and astronomy volunteers.  Visitors who have their own telescopes are invited to bring them along.  Call 435-586-0787 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr for more detailed dates and information.
Star Party Dates
July 1, 2, 3, 15, 24, 28, 30, 31
August 3, 12, 25, 27, 28, 31
September 2, 11, 22, 24
Celestial Events
July 15th = Full Moon
July 28th = Southern Delta Aquarids
August 12th = Perseids/Full Moon
September 11th = Full Moon

July 8 – July 22, 2011 Cedar Breaks National Monument 6th Annual Wildflower Festival:  Come join us in early July, as a wide variety of high country wildflowers burst into full bloom.  Wildflower specialists and volunteers will be available every day during the festival from 10 am to 2 pm.  Festival highlights include guided walks, photography workshops, Junior Ranger scavenger hunts, and Zion Canyon Field Institute Classes.  Throughout the Festival, the visitor center will be hosting an ongoing electronic display of wildflower images as well as discounts on wildflower related books and items.  Call 435-586-0787 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr for more detailed information.

August 18-21, 2011 Cedar Breaks National Monument Celebrates “Stories of the Past”:
This year’s events will focus on the Civilian Conservation Corps and their legacy at Cedar Breaks. Go on a self-guided tour highlighting this important story and view several of the CCC sites within the Monument. Enjoy the ranger-led hikes, special guests and programs that highlight the Monument’s history, magnificent scenery, natural resources and wildlife.

August 20, 2011 Cedar Breaks National Monument 78th Anniversary Celebration:  Come join park rangers, volunteers and special guests as we celebrate the 78th anniversary of Cedar Breaks National Monument.  Events include a reading of the proclamation that made Cedar Breaks a national monument and a special movie night complete with popcorn. An additional highlight will be a visit from Martin Tyner, founder of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation, who will give an informal wildlife program accompanied by his Golden Eagle, Prairie Falcon, and Harris Hawk.  If you ever wanted to get up close to some of the world’s most powerful birds and learn their life history, this is an opportunity that should not be missed. Call 435-586-0787 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr for more detailed information.

September 17 – October 6, 2011  Cedar Breaks National Monument Fall Color Festival:  Join the thousands of visitors that flock to Cedar Mountain for what USA Today calls “one of the top ten places to experience fall colors” in the United States.  Special events include guided walks, Junior Ranger programs and scavenger hunts.  On Saturday, Sept 17th, we kick off the “Technicolor” fall display of colors with a special one night only showing of the 1940 Technicolor movie “Can’t Help Singing” which was filmed in part at Cedar Breaks.  The popcorn is on us as we enjoy Deanna Durbin singing her way across the West.  Call 435-586-0787 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/cebr for more detailed information.

For More Information Call:
Cedar Breaks National Monument
2390 W Hwy 56 Suite #11
Cedar City, Utah  84720
435-586-9451

• Plan Your Visit

The visitor center at Cedar Breaks National Monument is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. beginning in early June and continuing through mid-October. All visitor facilities are CLOSED from mid-October through late May. The camp ground is open mid-June through mid-September depending upon the weather.

The Cedar Breaks Scenic Drive remains open to vehicular traffic until snow and heavy drifting occur, normally anywhere from late October to early December. Please call 435-586-9451 to check the status of the road before traveling to Cedar Breaks during this time. Winter recreational activities begin once there is sufficient snow depth for cross-country ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile trails.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

2390 W Hwy 56 Suite # 11

Cedar City, Utah 84720

435-586-9451

NPS Cedar Breaks National Monument Information.