Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Visited: Aug 2015
Nearby town: Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to NPS units, and Cedar Breaks National Monument is no exception. Like nearby Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks is a gigantic natural amphitheater, stretching over 3 miles long and over 2,000 ft deep. With the rim at an elevation of over 10,000 ft (therefore being much higher than Bryce Canyon), the Cedar Breaks is a very impressive sight that rivals the nearby National Park.

Due to the high elevation, the road to the monument is only open from May/June - November, with the Visitor Center only being open from June - October.

Your first stop should be the Visitor's Center and then enjoy the views at Point Supreme Overlook, elevation 10,350 ft. Here you will find the trailheads for Spectra Point and Ramparts Overlook, a four mile roundtrip hike along the rim of the amphitheater with great views and you can see bristlecone pines, some of the oldest trees in the world. We didn't have time to hike, but the views at Point Supreme Overlook are fantastic. Take in the hoodoos, the fresh alpine air and enjoy the incredibly vibrant colors that unfold before you.







Head down the road and make sure to stop at Sunset View Overlook or Chessman Ridge Overlook, or both.











Cedar Breaks is a relatively small park, but it packs a powerful punch with some of the best views in southern Utah. More info here: https://www.nps.gov/cebr/index.htm

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