Cedar Breaks National Monument Introduce
Cedar Breaks National Monument is a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Southern Utah, offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to connect with nature and explore breathtaking landscapes. Located at a lofty elevation of 10,000 feet, this national treasure provides a unique vantage point to witness the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon of the Colorado Plateau. The monument features a rugged landscape dominated by deep canyons, vibrant red rock formations, and lush forests of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, and poplar trees.
Visitors can enjoy year-round activities, from winter snowshoeing adventures to summer hikes along scenic trails. The park's signature attraction is its dramatic canyon, which stretches for over three miles and plunges more than 2,000 feet deep. The combination of red-hued cliffs and greenery creates a stunning visual contrast that captivates everyone who visits.
- Guided Tours: Cedar Breaks offers unique guided snowshoe tours, which are highly recommended for an unforgettable experience in the winter months. These tours can be booked in advance online, ensuring availability during peak seasons.
- Scenic Beauty: The park's landscape is a photographer's paradise, with vibrant red rocks, lush forests, and breathtaking vistas that inspire awe and wonder.
- Wildlife and Ecology: The area is home to diverse flora and fauna, including various tree species and the unique ecosystem of the Colorado Plateau.
Cedar Breaks National Monument is not just a destination for adventure; it's a place to recharge and reconnect with nature. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, the monument offers something for everyone.
As one visitor noted, "Take a jacket or sweater—this is 10k feet above sea level, and temperatures can dip significantly." This advice highlights the importance of being prepared for cooler weather at this high elevation.
Location
Customer Reviews
There's a small parking lot at Cedar Breaks National Monument with a sign of 10,000 feet elevation. Standing on the top of the Colorado Plateau, overlooking the canyon that stretches for about three miles and is more than 2,000 feet deep, the edge of the canyon is full of Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir and poplar trees. Even in winter, the reddish-brown cliffs exposed under the snow are spectacular even in the winter. We were lucky to be able to join a guided snow shoes hiking tour which normally requires booking online 2 weeks before. This was very unique experience.
Absolutely gorgeous!! The greenery and the red rocks just blend to give you an amazing scenery. Word of caution!!! Take a jacket out a sweater. This please is 10k feet above sea level and the temp stops at least 20-30 degrees.
Great place to check out if you are in the Brian Head area. Beautiful vistas to see and if you enjoy trail running at elevation (+10,000 ft) you will like it in this part of Utah. Way more low key than Zion or Bryce and should be on your list of things to see in Utah.
When we came here we did the south rim trail. It's 5 miles round trip and moderately strenuous. It's high elevation so brin g lots of water and take plenty of rests. There's no scrambling, but there's a lot of uphills and downhills and loose rocks. There are three main viewpoints along the trail that are named. But there's a lot of spectacular views that aren't named. All the viewpoints have beautiful views of the canyon but as you're climbing up to the third viewpoint if you look on your left there's two arches on top of each other. Overall the views are gorgeous.
We weren't able to fit Bryce Canyon into our schedule, so we decided to go here for a quick visit. And we weren't disappointed in the least. This reminded me very much of Bryce, but on a much smaller scale. It wasn't busy, and it was easy to park, but I doubt that's the case most of the year. It was really cold and windy (be careful when it's cold, there was snow and ice on the path to the viewpoint), but we were rewarded with some pretty amazing views, especially with the dusting of snow on the rocks. GO, it's definitely worth it! (Beware if you get altitude sickness, it's really high up in the mountains.)
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