"Cedar Breaks Amphitheater in Summer" by NPS Photo , public domain
![]() | Cedar BreaksGuide Summer 2019 |
Summer Visitor Guide to Cedar Breaks National Monument (NM) in Utah. Published by the National Park Service (NPS).
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covered parks
Cedar Breaks National Monument
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Offcial Newspaper
2019
Visitor Guide
Cedar Breaks Amphitheater
NPS Photo by Nancy Julian
Contact
Information
What to Do Today?
Cedar Breaks
National Monument
Information Center
(Late May - Mid October)
(435) 586 - 0787
Get started with this guide to Cedar Breaks National
Monument! Here you will fnd information and
events that are not found on our park map.
While here, please enjoy and respect the plants,
animals and other people in this park. If we all do
our part, those who follow will experience the same
beautiful place for generations to come!
E-mail: cedarbreaksinfo@nps.gov
Mailing Address &
Administrative Offce
(Year-round)
Cedar Breaks National Monument
2390 West Highway 56, Suite #11
Cedar City, Utah 84720
(435) 586 - 9451
Website: www.nps.gov/cebr
Emergencies
Dial 911, then contact a ranger at
the Fee Station or Information
Center.
Cell phone reception is
not reliable in
the monument or
surrounding area.
Anybody Can Become
a Junior Ranger!
To earn your badge follow these
three steps:
1. Pick up a free junior ranger workbook
at the Information or Discovery Center.
2. Complete the activities required for your age.
3. Bring your completed workbook to the Information
Center or Family Discovery Center to get your badge!
Tag Your Memories!
Get your posts shared on Cedar
Breaks’ social media feeds!
Facebook & Instagram:
@CedarBreaksNationalMonument
Hours of Operation
When visiting after hours, please pay entrance fees
at the Honor Fee kiosk behind the Fee Station.
Service
Time
Open Season
Information
Center
9 AM - 6 PM
7 Days a Week
Late May - Mid Oct.
Family
Discovery
Center
10 AM - 12 PM
1 PM - 3 PM
Wed - Sunday
Late June - Mid Aug.
Restrooms
24 Hours a Day
7 Days a Week
Late May - Mid Oct.
Campground
24 Hours a Day
7 Days a Week
Mid June - Late Sept.
(Dependent on weather)
Scenic
Drive 148
24 Hours a Day
7 Days a Week
Late May - Mid Oct.
(Dependent on weather)
This publication and more are
brought to you by the Zion
National Park Forever Project,
Cedar Breaks’ offcial nonproft
partner. Learn more at:
Mountain Bluebird
w w w. z i o n p a r k . o r g
Welcome
1
Trails, Kids & Camping
Campground Trail
1 Mile (1.6 Km) Round Trip.
This easy trail connects Point Supreme
Campground and the Information
Center.
Begin by walking the Sunset Trail from
the Information Center and crossing
Hwy 148. The Campground Trail is
a dirt path leaving the paved Sunset
Trail, descending through meadows
and majestic stands of subalpine fr,
Engelmann spruce and quaking aspen
before arriving at Point Supreme
Campground.
Although the Campground Trail is
short, it allows hikers to experience
all three of the monument’s habitats:
the amphitheater, spruce-fr-aspen
forest and meadows. For this reason,
the Campground Trail is a favorite
for wildfower enthusiasts and bird
watchers.
Sunset Trail
Alpine Pond Trail
Ramparts Trail
2 Miles (3.2 Km) Round Trip.
4 Miles (6.4 Km) Round Trip.
This easy wheelchair-accessible
paved trail leads visitors past the Point
Supreme picnic area to the Sunset
Overlook.
This easy 2-mile double-loop trail
meanders through forests and meadows.
Trailheads are located at Chessmen
Ridge Overlook and at the north Alpine
Pond parking area.
This strenuous out-and-back hike
along the rim of the amphitheater
features sweeping views of the
monument’s spectacular geology.
2 Miles (3.2 Km) Round Trip.
This trail is built to ofer all ages and
abilities the opportunity to enjoy a
walk in the woods. Because it was
built to avoid steep grades, this trail
provides gentle slopes and ofers many
rest areas for children, the elderly,
those using mobility devices and those
just wanting to avoid mud and dirt.
The trail meanders through the forest
and near the amphitheater rim. It also
traverses natural meadows, making it
an ideal hike to see wildlife as well as
wildfowers.
The views seen from the Sunset
Overlook are stunning , especially
at sunset!
At both ends, the path splits into a fat
upper route that weaves in and out of
subalpine meadows and a lower route
that descends into a spruce-fr forest.
Both feature the Alpine Pond, a lush
spring-fed water source that supports
many plants and animals. A series of
short switchbacks connect the upper
and lower routes at the pond. The
distance from either trailhead to the
pond is a half mile.
The Alpine Pond Trail provides a unique
opportunity for self-guided learning.
A numbered trail guide is available for
purchase at the Information Center and
at both trailheads.
The trailhead is located at the south
end of the Information Center parking
lot. The trail climbs and descends for
one mile to Spectra Point. Hikers may
then continue down a short series of
switchbacks before leveling out over
the next mile to Ramparts Overlook.
The Ramparts Trail provides a unique
perspective of high-elevation life. Lowgrowing cushion plants cling to the
exposed limestone, playful marmots
sun themselves outside their burrows,
and old bristlecone pines stretch their
gnarled branches into the sky.
You Are At 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) in elevation!
Cedar Breaks National Monument can be up to 20 ° F cooler and more physically challenging than in nearby parks.
Remember: drink plenty of water, take frequent rest stops, and apply sunscreen.
Point Supreme
Campground
2
•
½ mile East of the Information
Center on Scenic Drive 148.
•
Camping is available mid June - late
September.
•
Campsites can be reserved frst-come-frst
serve or online up to six weeks in advance
at www.recreation.gov.
•
Flush toilets, showers, and frewood by
donation are available to all campers.
•
Camping is also available in the Dixie
National Forest, ask at the Information
Center for details.
Trails, Camping, Fees
100% of your fees support projects that
directly beneft Cedar Breaks National
Monument, its visitors, and the local
community. This year, your fee dollars are
at work...
• Installing upgrades to the Point Supreme
picnic area, including a new shade pavilion,
restrooms, picnic tables, and freplace.
• Extending the Ramparts trail to
connect with Bartizan Arch.
• Improving parking-lot surfaces
and capacity.
•
Funding ranger programs, including daily programing, special events and
community outreach.
Thank-you for your support!
Ranger Led Programs & Events
Weekly Program Descriptions:
M
T
W
R
F
S
Su
Check Information Center board @ Point Supreme for exact time and locations.)
Geology Talk @ Point Supreme, 10 AM & 2 PM (15 min)
Join a ranger for a closer look at the geologic forces that shaped Cedar Breaks.
* * * * * * *
Plant Walk @ Point Supreme (25 min) Go for a short walk with a ranger to learn about the
plants currently in bloom, their medicinal use and other interesting facts.
-
-
-
-
-
* -
Star Parties May 25 - Sept. 8, Begin at 8:30 PM
@ Point Supreme (2.5 hours, drop-in’s welcome) Experience the dark skies of Cedar Breaks. Gaze
at celestial objects through park telescopes and go on a laser-guided tour of the constellations.
-
-
-
-
-
* -
Family Discovery Center/Jr. Ranger Program @ N. Alpine Pond Parking Area, 10 AM - 12 PM,
& 1 PM - 3 PM (late June - mid Aug.) 20-30 min activities begin every hour) Participate with a
ranger in hands-on activities about Cedar Breaks. (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)
-
-
-
-
* * *
Stop in the Information Center at Point Supreme
for additional ranger programs and events.
* * * * * * *
2019 Special Events
June
July
August
Bio-Blast:
@ Point Supreme,
Cedar Breaks Nat. Mon.
June 28 & 29,
10 AM - 3 PM
Wildfower Festival:
@ Point Supreme,
Cedar Breaks Nat. Mon.
July 4-14,
10 AM - 3 PM
Cedar Breaks 86th
B-day @ Point
Supreme,
Cedar Breaks Nat. Mon.
Aug. 22, 1 PM
Join local feld experts in fnding
and identifying various species of
insects, birds and bats found in and
around Cedar Breaks! There will also
be family friendly activities near the
Information Center to educate and
entertain all ages.
Volunteers and park rangers will
lead guided walks daily to highlight
what fowers are currently blooming.
Wildfower checklists, “What’s in
Bloom” handouts and photography
tip sheets will be available during the
festival.
Enjoy a special ranger program about
Cedar Breaks’ history.
Full Moon Hike
June 15 & 16
(1.5 hours)
Time and Location
Varies
Go for a guided moonlit stroll along
one of Cedar Breaks’ many trails.
Call or visit the Information
Center to register.
Do Not
Pick Flowers
or Plants
Protect park plants
for future enjoyment and the
animals who depend on
them for food and shelter.
Additional activities and special
programs will be scheduled each
weekend throughout the festival.
Full Moon Hike
July 15 & 16 (1.5 hours)
Time and Location
Varies
Go for a guided moonlit stroll along
one of Cedar Breaks’ many trails.
Call or visit the Information
Center to register.
Full Moon Hike
August 13 & 14
(1.5 hours)
Time and Location
Varies
Go for a guided moonlit stroll along
one of Cedar Breaks’ many trails.
Call or visit the Information
Center to register.
September
Southwest
Astronomy Festival:
Sept. 27-29
Various Times &
Locations
Join us for the 3rd Annual
Southwest Astronomy Festival, a
regional celebration of astronomy
and dark skies. The festival will
consist of events for all ages taking
place at various locations throughout
Southwestern Utah.
Come experience night sky art
exhibitions, attend a star party, go
on a night hike and look at the Sun
with solar scopes. For updates on
the festival, visit the calendar of
events on our website at go.nps.
gov/swastrofest or follow us on
Facebook and Instagram
@CedarBreaksNationalMonument
National Public
Lands Day:
Sept. 28, 9 AM - 3 PM
@ The Fee Booth,
Cedar Breaks Nat. Mon.
Give back to your community and
Cedar Breaks National Monument by
collecting native seeds, transplanting
native forbs and grasses and helping
with trail rehabilitation.
Drop-in’s are welcome! National
Public Lands Day is the nation’s
largest, single-day volunteer effort
to give back to the lands where we
play, learn, exercise, and relax!
Ranger Led Programs & Events
3
Nearby Adventures
Top 5 Nearby
Adventures
PAROWAN GAP
5
2 HIKE
CASCADE FALLS
(Spring-Fall) This (1 mile
round trip) family friendly hike
provides spectacular views
of Zion National Park and
ends at a waterfall cascading
from an underground cave.
Directions: From State Route
14, take the Navajo Lake
Forest Road 30053 then take
first left onto Forest Road
30370. Follow to the junction
with Forest Road 30054.
Turn right onto Forest Road
30054 and follow to dead end
at Cascade Falls trailhead.
3 EXPLORE
MAMMOTH CAVE
(Summer-Fall) Not actually a
cave but one of the largest lava
4
Nearby Adventures
Patc
h
eser
voir
Roa
d
4
Panguitch
Lake
14
Navajo Lake
2
KOLOB
CANYONS
arkway
143
work Parkway
148
Directions:
Drive to the
peak on State
Route 143 between the
north entrance of Cedar Breaks
and Brian Head Town. Turn
east onto Forest Road
047 and drive a short
distance to the stone
overlook building.
Another option during
summer weekends
is to ride Brian Head
Resort’s scenic lift to
the base of the peak.
17
Brian
1Head
Pa
Dixie NF
Pa t
chwo
rk P
14
h
Patc
wo
Mammoth C
ree
kR
oa
Cedar City
CEDAR
4
BREAKS
NM
rk
143
Kolo
bR
(Late Spring – Fall) Brian Head
Peak is the highest point (11,307
feet/ 3,446 meters)
found in the area.
From this vista,
visitors can
56
enjoy views
across Utah
into Nevada
& Arizona.
Parowan
Pa r k w a y
Within a short
drive of Cedar
Breaks are many
incredible places
to explore!
1 VISIT BRIAN
HEAD PEAK
89
d
3
2
Hatch
Duck Creek
89
15
ZION
NP
tubes
found
in Utah,
Mammoth
Cave has four
chambers adding
up to 2200 feet of passages.
Bring a flashlight and good
footwear. Portions of the cave
are closed from October - April
to protect hibernating bats.
Directions: East of Duck
Creek Village on State Road 14,
turn left onto Forest Road 067
(Mammoth Creek Road). Go 5
miles and turn right onto Forest
Road 064. After one mile, turn
left and look for the sign.
4 VISIT
ANCIENT TREES
(Spring – Fall) The surrounding
National Forests offer up-close
views of bristlecone pine trees.
BRISTLECONE TRAIL:
For those wanting a quick stop
while driving State Route 14,
the Bristlecone Pine Trail
is an easy 0.6 mile loop.
Directions: The trailhead
is located at mile marker
17 on State Route 14, near
the intersection of State
Route 14 and 148.
TWISTED FOREST:
For those who want an
adventure off the beaten path,
the Twisted Forest trail offers
lesser-seen views of Cedar
Breaks and the ancient trees
lining it’s amphitheater.
Directions: Traveling on
State Route 143 between
Cedar Breaks & Brian Head,
take Forest Service Road 204
(Sugar Loaf Road) about 2
miles until it connects with
Forest Service Road 265,
go left about 1/2 mile then
follow signs to the trailhead.
5 VISIT THE
PAROWAN GAP
(Year Round) This site offers
petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks.
Directions: From Cedar City
Mount Carmel Jct
go north on Main (or take
Interstate 15 Exit 62) to UT
130. Continue north 13.5 miles,
and then turn east (right) 2.5
miles on a good gravel road to
Parowan Gap. If traveling from
Parowan, go north on Main to
400 North, turn west (left) and
travel for 10.5 miles on a good
gravel road (near Milepost 19).