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National Park & Nature

Cedar Breaks National Monument

📍 2390 W Hwy 56, Cedar City, UT, USA
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★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
USA, Cedar City
Category
National Park & Nature
Duration
Half day
Address
2390 W Hwy 56, Cedar City, UT, USA
Coordinates
37.6270, -113.2460

Introduction

Cedar Breaks National Monument is located about 40 kilometers east of Cedar City, Utah, at the edge of the Markagunt Plateau, and is a breathtaking natural amphitheater rock wonder. This massive semicircular cliff drops 2,000 feet deep and spans over 3 miles, sculpted by millions of years of geological movement and wind and rain erosion. The cliff walls display brilliant layers of red, orange, yellow, purple, and white sedimentary rock, creating a natural giant open-air theater under sunset glow, with grandeur comparable to Bryce Canyon but more pristine and serene. The monument sits at an elevation exceeding 10,000 feet, representing Utah's high-altitude natural landscape. In summer, alpine wildflowers bloom along the cliff rim, creating picturesque scenes of flowers and colorful rock. The monument features a rim drive road and several hiking trails, with the Alpine Pond Trail being the classic route allowing visitors to descend into the cliff base for close-up views of hoodoos and arches. Due to high elevation, the monument is open only from June to October.

✨ Highlights

1
Natural Rock Amphitheater
A semicircular cliff 2,000 feet deep and over 3 miles wide forming a natural giant open-air theater
2
Colorful Sediment Layers
Brilliant red, orange, yellow, purple, and white sedimentary layers glow like a theater at sunset
3
10,000-Foot Elevation
Over 10,000 feet elevation, representing Utah's high-altitude natural landscape
4
Alpine Wildflowers
Summer brings alpine wildflowers along the rim creating scenes of flowers and colorful rock
5
Alpine Pond Trail
Classic trail descends into the cliff base for close-up views of hoodoos and arches

🛈 Practical Info

→Best Time to Visit:July-August for wildflowers; September-October for fall colors
→Phone:+1 435-586-9451
→Website:www.nps.gov/cebr
→Opening Hours:Open June to mid-October; closed in winter due to snow
→Ticket Information:$10 per vehicle; America the Beautiful National Parks Pass accepted
→Transportation:Drive east from Cedar City on SR-14 for 40 km, then turn onto Cedar Breaks Scenic Drive

💡 Tips

• Elevation exceeds 10,000 feet; move slowly to avoid altitude sickness
• High elevation is cool even in summer; bring a warm jacket
• High-altitude UV is intense; apply sunscreen and wear sunglasses
• Check road conditions before visiting; roads may close after summer storms

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Cedar Breaks National Monument?

Open June to mid-October; closed in winter due to snow

How much is the admission for Cedar Breaks National Monument?

$10 per vehicle; America the Beautiful National Parks Pass accepted

Any practical tips for visiting Cedar Breaks National Monument?

Elevation exceeds 10,000 feet; move slowly to avoid altitude sickness High elevation is cool even in summer; bring a warm jacket

How long should I spend at Cedar Breaks National Monument?

A typical visit takes Half day.