Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument comprises 6,154 acres, and is an outstanding geological, scientific, and scenic area. Called a “Breaks” because of its abrupt, broken, and deeply eroded canyon, it is a 3.8-mile-long and 2.5-mile-wide amphitheater containing numerous ridges, cliffs, and spires eroded some 2,000 feet below the 10,300- to 10,500-foot elevation of the canyon. Iron and manganese oxide impurities produce an amazing variety of colors in the limestone cliffs that constantly change with the angle of the sun’s rays. In the meadows bordering the six-mile-long rim drive, colorful wildflowers in season provide another resplendent attraction. Additionally, there are fine stands of bristlecone pine trees (Pinus aristala), the oldest of which is more than 1,600 years old.

Located on the Markagunt Plateau, Cedar Breaks can be reached via Utah Highway 14 from U. S. Highway 89, or from Interstate 15 at Cedar City. Highway 143 runs to the area from Parowan and County Road 38 from Panguitch. About 500,000 people visit Cedar Breaks annually.

When Mormon pioneers settled Parowan on 13 January 1851 they built a wagon road to bring timber from the mountains. It eventually extended south to Cedar Breaks. However, the pioneers were somewhat indifferent to the scenery, for eroded canyons were interruptions to travel. Full development of the area’s tourist potential awaited automobile roads, campsites, and an organized, concerted promotional effort. After World War I, road funds became available under the Shakleford Act. Residents of Iron and Kane Counties applied for construction of a road from Highway 89 to Cedar City. Construction of the Cedar-Long Valley Road began in 1920 and was completed in 1923. A three-mile spur provided access for visitors to Cedar Breaks.

Meanwhile, in 1919, S.A. Halterman took the first auto to Cedar Breaks via the old wagon road in Parowan Canyon. By 1921 improvements to this route allowed Halterman to begin taking visitors to the Breaks on weekly trips. In 1923 the Union Pacific railroad built a thirty-three-mile-long branch line to the area from Lund; it reached Cedar City 17 June 1923. Utah Parks, a subsidiary of Union Pacific, soon built a lodge and cabins at the Breaks. They subsequently were removed in 1972.

In 1919 a movement began to transfer Cedar Breaks from the Dixie National Forest to the newly created National Park Service. Meanwhile, the Forest Service made many improvements, including the rim road, campgrounds, and toilet facilities. On 22 August 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Cedar Breaks a national monument, and it has since been managed by the National Park Service.

Wayne K. Hinton

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

OPERATING HOURS: 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).

CLIMATE: 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.

PARK PROFILE: 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.

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.

FEES, COST, RATES: 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.

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

ACCESSIBILITY: The visitor center, comfort stations, overlooks, picnic area and campground are wheelchair accessible.

CAMPING: 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.

RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
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.

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.

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.