Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument
A Spectacular High-Elevation Landscape Near Duck Creek Village
Cedar Breaks National Monument is one of Southern Utah's most impressive—and sometimes overlooked—natural attractions.
Located approximately 20 miles from Duck Creek Village, Cedar Breaks sits high atop the Markagunt Plateau at elevations reaching more than 10,000 feet.
The centerpiece of the monument is a massive natural amphitheater carved into the edge of the plateau. Colorful layers of red, orange, pink, white and purple rock form cliffs, spires, fins and hoodoos stretching across the landscape below.
Visitors familiar with Bryce Canyon National Park may immediately notice some similarities, but Cedar Breaks has a character all its own. Its higher elevation, alpine forests, meadows, ancient bristlecone pines and sweeping views create a landscape very different from the desert environments found at lower elevations.
And because Cedar Breaks is so close to Duck Creek Village, it's an easy addition to almost any summer or fall visit.
🏔️ The Cedar Breaks Amphitheater
The enormous amphitheater is the feature that gives Cedar Breaks its name and draws most visitors to the monument.
Over millions of years, erosion has exposed colorful layers of sedimentary rock and carved them into the cliffs, hoodoos, spires and unusual formations visible today.
Several overlooks along State Route 148 provide different perspectives into the amphitheater.
Don't assume you've seen Cedar Breaks after stopping at only one overlook.
Changing angles, elevation, weather and sunlight can make the formations look dramatically different from one viewpoint to another.
👀 Scenic Overlooks
Several roadside overlooks provide easy access to the scenery without requiring a long hike.
Depending on seasonal access, visitors can stop at viewpoints including Point Supreme, Sunset View, Chessmen Ridge and North View.
Point Supreme is near the Visitor Center and provides one of the classic views into the amphitheater.
If you have time, visit more than one.
Even though you're looking into the same amphitheater, each viewpoint provides a different perspective of the cliffs, hoodoos and surrounding landscape.
🥾 Hiking & Recreation
Cedar Breaks offers several hiking opportunities ranging from relatively short walks to longer hikes through the high-elevation landscape.
Trails provide access to overlooks, forests, alpine meadows, wildflowers, ancient bristlecone pines and additional views into the amphitheater.
Because Cedar Breaks sits above 10,000 feet, even relatively easy hikes can feel more strenuous than similar-distance trails at lower elevations.
Take your time, carry water and allow yourself time to adjust to the elevation.
Trail conditions can also change significantly with the seasons. Snow and mud may remain on trails long after lower-elevation hiking areas are dry.
🌲 Ancient Bristlecone Pines
Cedar Breaks is home to bristlecone pines, some of the oldest living trees on Earth.
These remarkable trees survive in harsh high-elevation conditions where cold temperatures, wind, rocky soil and a short growing season make life difficult for most other trees.
Their twisted trunks and weathered appearance tell the story of centuries spent surviving on the mountain.
If you have the opportunity to see them, take a little time to appreciate just how long these trees have been standing here.
🌼 Wildflowers & Alpine Meadows
Cedar Breaks isn't only about red rock.
During summer, the high-elevation meadows surrounding the monument can fill with wildflowers.
Depending on snowmelt and weather conditions, visitors may see colorful displays of lupine, Indian paintbrush, columbine and numerous other mountain wildflowers.
The exact timing changes from year to year because flowering is closely tied to the previous winter's snowpack and spring temperatures.
Cedar Breaks traditionally celebrates this annual display with its Wildflower Festival and ranger-led programs, making midsummer an especially interesting time to visit.
🦌 Wildlife
The forests and meadows surrounding Cedar Breaks provide habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Visitors may encounter mule deer, marmots, squirrels, chipmunks and numerous species of birds, along with other wildlife found throughout the Markagunt Plateau.
Early morning and evening often provide some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Observe animals from a safe distance and never feed wildlife.
🌌 Dark Skies & Stargazing
Cedar Breaks is also known for its exceptionally dark night skies.
Away from the lights of larger communities, the high elevation and clear Southern Utah air can provide excellent conditions for viewing stars, planets and the Milky Way.
The monument hosts astronomy and night-sky programs during portions of the year.
If you've never experienced a truly dark mountain sky, Cedar Breaks after sunset can feel like an entirely different attraction than the monument you saw during the day.
Bring warm clothing—even summer nights at this elevation can become cold very quickly.
🏛️ Cedar Breaks Visitor Center
The Cedar Breaks Visitor Center at Point Supreme is a great first stop when visiting the monument.
Visitors can talk with park staff, learn about current trail and weather conditions, explore exhibits, pick up Junior Ranger materials and visit the Zion Forever Park Store.
The nearby historic log cabin is now home to a Human History Museum, providing another look at the people and history connected to this high-elevation landscape.
The Visitor Center, park store and museum operate seasonally and normally close during the winter.
🏕️ Camping at Cedar Breaks
Want to spend the night inside Cedar Breaks National Monument?
The monument has one developed campground—Point Supreme Campground, located near the Visitor Center at more than 10,000 feet in elevation.
Point Supreme Campground has 25 campsites and can accommodate both tents and RVs. There are no electrical hookups, and RVs are limited to a maximum length of 40 feet.
Amenities include restrooms, showers, seasonal potable water and firewood when available.
The campground is highly seasonal and generally operates from mid-June through mid-September, depending on snow, weather and other conditions.
Reservations are required for all campsites.
🚫 No Dispersed Camping Inside the Monument
Unlike the surrounding Dixie National Forest, dispersed camping is not permitted within Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Camping is allowed only within the designated Point Supreme Campground. Camping or overnighting in parking lots, at overlooks or elsewhere within the monument is prohibited.
If Point Supreme Campground is full—or you're looking for a more dispersed camping experience—there are additional camping opportunities on surrounding National Forest lands outside the monument. Make sure you're actually outside the National Monument boundary and follow all current Forest Service camping regulations
💲 Campground Fees
Point Supreme Campground has a separate nightly camping fee in addition to the Cedar Breaks entrance fee.
Current campground rates, opening dates and availability can change from season to season, so we recommend checking the National Park Service and Recreation.gov before planning your stay.
🍂 Fall Colors
Fall can be one of the most beautiful times to visit Cedar Breaks.
Large stands of aspen surrounding the monument change from green to brilliant shades of yellow, gold and orange.
The combination of fall foliage, evergreen forests and colorful rock formations can make the drive through the area spectacular.
Fall weather at 10,000 feet can change quickly, however. Cold temperatures and early snow are possible even when lower elevations remain warm.
❄️ Cedar Breaks in Winter
Winter transforms Cedar Breaks.
Heavy snowfall closes State Route 148, the scenic road through the monument, to normal vehicle traffic. The closure generally begins around mid-November and continues until approximately mid- to late May, depending on snow conditions.
That doesn't mean Cedar Breaks closes.
Winter recreation includes cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling on designated routes.
Snowmobiles are not permitted to simply travel anywhere within the monument. Visitors should remain on designated winter routes and obey all National Park Service signs and restrictions.
Point Supreme, Sunset View and Chessmen Ridge cannot normally be reached by passenger vehicle while SR 148 is closed, but they can be reached by permitted winter recreation methods.
🚗 North View Overlook — A Winter Option
North View Overlook may remain accessible by normal passenger vehicle via State Route 143 during winter, making it one of the easiest ways to experience Cedar Breaks when SR 148 is closed.
However, winter storms can temporarily close SR 143 as well. Snow tires and/or chains may be required during winter conditions.
Always check current road and weather conditions before heading toward Cedar Breaks in winter.
🥾 Ranger-Led Winter Recreation
Cedar Breaks also offers winter recreation opportunities that may include ranger-led snowshoe programs, depending on current conditions and seasonal programming.
Programs, dates and availability can change, so check directly with the National Park Service when planning your visit.
🌱 Spring Comes Late to Cedar Breaks
One of the biggest mistakes visitors make is assuming spring arrives at Cedar Breaks when it arrives everywhere else in Southern Utah.
It doesn't.
While Zion National Park and Cedar City may already be experiencing warm spring weather, Cedar Breaks can remain buried beneath snow.
State Route 148 typically remains closed until snow removal and conditions allow it to reopen. Even after the highway opens, hiking trails may remain partially snow-covered, muddy or difficult to access.
If you're visiting in May or early June, check conditions before making the drive and don't assume all trails and facilities are open simply because the highway is accessible.
🌡️ A Great Place to Escape the Summer Heat
Cedar Breaks' elevation makes it noticeably cooler than many of Southern Utah's lower-elevation destinations.
During hot summer weather, temperatures at Cedar Breaks can be dramatically cooler than Cedar City, St. George or Zion National Park.
That makes it a great place to spend part of a hot summer day.
But that elevation works both ways.
Even during summer, bring an extra layer. Afternoon thunderstorms, wind and rapidly dropping temperatures can turn a warm afternoon chilly very quickly.
⚠️ Know Before You Go
Cedar Breaks sits at elevations above 10,000 feet, and visitors coming from lower elevations may notice the effects of altitude.
Take your time, drink plenty of water and avoid overexerting yourself when you first arrive.
Weather can change rapidly.
Afternoon thunderstorms and lightning are a serious concern at high elevations, particularly on exposed trails and overlooks.
If thunderstorms begin developing, move away from exposed overlooks and return to a safe location.
Stay behind barriers at overlooks and keep children and pets safely away from cliff edges.
Wear appropriate footwear on hiking trails and carry water, sunscreen and additional clothing.
And don't judge Cedar Breaks weather by what you're experiencing at Zion, Cedar City or other lower-elevation locations.
🚗 Just Driving Through?
One thing many visitors don't realize is that State Route 148 is a public highway that travels directly through Cedar Breaks National Monument.
There is no charge simply to drive through the monument on SR 148 without stopping to use the monument's recreation areas or facilities.
If you stop to visit the overlooks, Visitor Center, trails or other recreation areas within Cedar Breaks, the monument's normal entrance fee applies.
So even if you don't have time for a full visit, the drive through Cedar Breaks can still be a beautiful addition to a scenic drive through the Markagunt Plateau.
Keep in mind that SR 148 is seasonal and normally closes to regular vehicle traffic during the winter because of snow.
💲 Entrance Fees
Cedar Breaks National Monument charges an entrance fee. While driving through the monument is free, stopping at any of the sites requires and entry fee.
The current standard fee for a private, non-commercial vehicle is $25, covering the vehicle and its occupants for seven days.
America the Beautiful and qualifying federal recreation passes are accepted.
Cedar Breaks is cashless, so entrance fees paid at the monument must be paid by credit or debit card.
Fees and policies can change, so check the National Park Service website for current pricing before visiting.
🚙 Getting to Cedar Breaks From Duck Creek Village
Cedar Breaks is approximately 20 miles from Duck Creek Village and makes an easy trip during the snow-free season.
The normal route follows Highway 14 west from Duck Creek Village to State Route 148, then travels north through Cedar Breaks National Monument.
During the normal summer and fall season, SR 148 provides access to the Visitor Center, overlooks, trails and other monument facilities.
During winter, SR 148 closes to normal vehicle traffic, so do not rely on summer navigation directions once snow arrives.
State Route 143 near Brian Head provides access to the northern portion of the monument and may remain open during winter, although temporary storm closures are possible.
🗺️ Make Cedar Breaks Part of a Bigger Day
Cedar Breaks works extremely well as part of a larger day exploring the high country around Duck Creek.
Depending on the season, you can combine it with Brian Head, Navajo Lake, scenic Highway 14, hiking opportunities and other destinations around the Markagunt Plateau.
Or don't combine it with anything.
There is easily enough to see at Cedar Breaks to spend several hours exploring the overlooks, trails, Visitor Center, wildflowers, forests and scenery.
🌄 Mountain Life Local Tip
Don't treat Cedar Breaks as just another scenic overlook.
A lot of visitors drive to Point Supreme, take a few pictures and leave.
If you have the time, explore more than one overlook, walk one of the trails, look for the bristlecone pines or simply spend some time looking into the amphitheater from different angles.
The appearance of Cedar Breaks changes dramatically with the light, weather and season. Morning, afternoon and sunset can make the same formations look completely different.
And remember that Cedar Breaks sits above 10,000 feet.
Conditions here can be completely different from Duck Creek, Cedar City or Zion National Park. Bring an extra layer even on a summer day, carry water and don't assume the weather you're experiencing at lower elevations is what you'll find when you arrive.
🔗 Check Current Conditions Before You Go
Roads, trails, facilities, ranger programs and weather conditions at Cedar Breaks change throughout the year.
Before heading out, we strongly recommend checking directly with the National Park Service for current Cedar Breaks conditions and information.
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