Strawberry Point Overlook
Strawberry Point - Duck Creek Village UT
One of the Best Views Around Duck Creek Village
Strawberry Point is one of the most popular scenic overlooks near Duck Creek Village—and for good reason.
Located along the eastern portion of the Virgin Rim, Strawberry Point sits at the edge of the high Markagunt Plateau where the forested mountain terrain suddenly gives way to colorful cliffs, hoodoos, ravines and the valleys of Southern Utah below.
The views stretch for miles across the surrounding canyon country, and on a clear day you can see toward Zion National Park and the surrounding plateaus and mountains of Southern Utah.
Unlike some of the more remote viewpoints along the Virgin Rim, Strawberry Point can generally be reached by most passenger vehicles during good summer and fall road conditions, making it one of the easiest places for visitors to experience the dramatic scenery surrounding Duck Creek.
Bring a camera—and give yourself more than a few minutes once you get there.
🏔️ Part of the Virgin Rim
Strawberry Point sits along the Virgin Rim, the dramatic geographic break where the high Markagunt Plateau drops toward the valleys and canyons below.
It is one of the best places to actually see what makes the Virgin Rim so distinctive.
From the forested plateau above, the landscape suddenly falls away into colorful cliffs, steep drainages and eroded formations before continuing toward the lower country surrounding Zion National Park.
Strawberry Point provides a different experience than nearby Lars Fork and Cascade Falls, and we recommend visiting more than one of these locations if you have the opportunity.
🧡 Red Rocks, Hoodoos & Natural Amphitheaters
One of the things that makes Strawberry Point especially interesting is what's immediately below you.
The landscape contains red, orange, white and yellow cliffs, hoodoos, ravines and natural amphitheater-like formations carved into the edge of the plateau.
Visitors who have already explored Bryce Canyon National Park or Cedar Breaks National Monument may notice some familiar-looking scenery.
Strawberry Point isn't simply a smaller version of either place, but the colorful rock, erosion and unusual formations give portions of the landscape a similar Southern Utah character.
It's easy to arrive at the overlook and immediately stare toward the distant horizon, but don't forget to look at the terrain directly below and around the point.
Some of the most interesting formations are much closer than the distant views.
👀 More Than Just the Main Overlook
The main viewpoint at the end of Strawberry Point Road gets most of the attention, but the scenery isn't limited to one spot.
As you approach the point and explore the immediate area, different perspectives reveal cliffs, ravines, forested slopes and colorful formations that aren't necessarily visible from one location.
Take your time.
Strawberry Point is a great place to bring lunch, take photographs or simply spend some time enjoying the view rather than treating it as a quick roadside stop.
🚙 Getting to Strawberry Point
Strawberry Point is reached from Highway 14 via Strawberry Point Road, a little east of Duck Creek Village.
From Highway 14, Strawberry Point Road travels approximately 7–8 miles through the forest and surrounding mountain communities before reaching the overlook.
The road is unpaved for much of the route.
During good summer conditions, most passenger vehicles can generally make the drive, but road conditions can change considerably due to weather, traffic, washboarding, potholes and seasonal runoff.
Drive according to current conditions rather than simply following the speed suggested by a navigation app.
🛞 Passenger Vehicle or OHV?
One advantage of Strawberry Point is that you don't necessarily need an ATV or UTV to visit it.
During normal dry summer and fall conditions, the road is generally suitable for most passenger vehicles driven carefully.
Strawberry Point can also be incorporated into an ATV or UTV ride through the surrounding Markagunt Trail System.
If you're exploring by OHV, Strawberry Point combines particularly well with nearby Lars Fork, giving you two very different Virgin Rim viewpoints during the same ride.
If you're traveling in a normal passenger vehicle and want to experience the Virgin Rim, Strawberry Point is generally the location we'd recommend first.
⚠️ Know Before You Go
Strawberry Point has significant drop-offs and areas without guardrails or protective barriers.
Stay safely back from cliff edges and keep children and pets close.
Loose rock and unstable footing can occur near the rim, particularly on steep slopes and around eroded formations.
Do not climb on hoodoos or unstable rock formations.
Weather can change quickly at this elevation. Summer thunderstorms can bring lightning, hail, strong winds and rapid temperature changes.
Because Strawberry Point is exposed along the rim, do not remain near the point during approaching thunderstorms or lightning.
Cell service may be limited or inconsistent.
Bring water and appropriate clothing even when you're planning only a short visit.
And remember: there is no photograph worth risking a fall from the rim.
🥾 Virgin River Rim Trail
Strawberry Point is also one of the access points for the Virgin River Rim Trail, a roughly 32-mile non-motorized trail traveling through the high country along portions of the Virgin River watershed.
The trail is used for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding and can be accessed from several locations rather than traveled entirely from end to end.
We'll cover the Virgin River Rim Trail separately in our Trails & Hikes section, including trail sections, distances, access points and what to expect.
For now, just know that if you see trail signs near Strawberry Point, they are referring to the recreational trail—not the Virgin Rim geographic feature itself.
❄️ Strawberry Point in Winter
Strawberry Point changes dramatically once winter arrives.
Strawberry Point Road is not maintained like a normal paved highway during winter, and passenger-vehicle access to the point should not be assumed once significant snow arrives.
The surrounding area becomes part of the Cedar Mountain winter recreation system, and the Strawberry Point route is used for snowmobile recreation.
Do not attempt to drive an ordinary passenger vehicle toward Strawberry Point simply because an online map shows the road.
Winter conditions, drifting snow and changing weather can make travel considerably different from summer.
🌦️ Seasonal Access
Summer
Summer generally provides the easiest access to Strawberry Point.
Dry road conditions usually allow most passenger vehicles to reach the overlook, and this is a great time for scenic drives, photography, picnics and exploring the surrounding area.
Fall
Fall is one of our favorite times to visit.
The surrounding aspen forests can provide beautiful fall color along the drive, while cooler temperatures make spending time at the overlook especially enjoyable.
Keep in mind that temperatures drop quickly at this elevation and early-season snow is possible.
Winter
Normal passenger-vehicle access should not be expected once significant winter snow arrives.
The surrounding trail and road system transitions to winter recreation, including snowmobile use.
Spring
Spring comes late to Strawberry Point.
Even when lower elevations around Cedar City and Zion are warm and dry, snow may still cover portions of Strawberry Point Road and the surrounding forest.
As snow melts, the unpaved road can also become extremely muddy.
If conditions are too muddy or snow-covered, turn around and come back another day rather than damaging the road or surrounding terrain.
🗺️ Make Strawberry Point Part of a Bigger Trip
Strawberry Point works well as a destination by itself, but it can also be combined with other nearby places.
Visitors exploring by ATV or UTV can combine Strawberry Point with Lars Fork, Cascade Falls and other portions of the Markagunt Trail System, depending on current trail conditions and available time.
Visitors traveling by passenger vehicle can easily make Strawberry Point one stop during a larger day exploring the Duck Creek area.
As we continue building our Explore Duck Creek guide, we'll connect these individual destinations so you can put together a trip based on your vehicle, interests and available time.
🌄 Mountain Life Local Tip
Don't rush Strawberry Point.
A lot of visitors drive all the way out, take a picture from the main overlook and immediately turn around.
Spend a little time looking around instead.
Look down into the ravines and amphitheater-like formations below the rim. Notice the hoodoos and different layers of colored rock. Walk around the safe areas near the overlook and look at the landscape from more than one angle.
And if you're traveling in a passenger vehicle, Strawberry Point is generally our first recommendation for experiencing the Virgin Rim. If you're exploring by ATV or UTV and have more time, consider adding Lars Fork to your ride for a completely different perspective.
As always, road and trail conditions can change. If you're unsure about current access, stop by Mountain Life Off-Road & Gifts in Duck Creek Village and we'll be happy to help point you in the right direction.
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