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| Cedar Breaks National Monument |
A slightly overlooked but AWESOME place to visit in the area is the Cedar Breaks National Monument. Located roughly between Zion and Bryce National Parks, Cedar Breaks offers amazing scenery that can be enjoyed from the vehicle, from one of several walking and hiking trails, or from observation platforms near the visitor center that nest on the very edge of the deep, sandstone and red rock canyon.
To get to Cedar Breaks from the north on Hwy 15 take the Parowan exit, then take Utah Hwy 143 east to the Park. If traveling from Saint George northbound, take the Cedar City exit and then Utah Hwy 14. Go east on 14 for about 18 miles, then get on Hwy 148 and go north for 4 miles. Cedar Breaks is very near the Brian Head Ski Resort.
The elevation at Cedar Breaks is also awesome. It is no wonder that the Cedar Breaks Scenic Drive closes for part of the year due to impassable snow depths. Summer is your best time to be assured of getting through to the visitor center and beyond. Winter access is done by snowmobile, snowshoe or cross-country skis. From June to mid-October the visitor center is open 7 days a week, 8 AM – 6 PM. You can reach the office at 435 586-9451 for further information.
Cedar Breaks National Monument Star Parties:
Cedar Breaks National Monument has some of the darkest night skies in
the country. Situated high above Cedar City in Southwestern Utah, Cedar
Breaks is the perfect place where the stars shine nearly as bright as
they did in the time before the invention of the light bulb.
To celebrate and share the beauty of our dark night skies, Cedar Breaks
holds a series of “Star Parties” throughout the year, especially in the
late summer and early fall. Each party begins at 8:30 PM with an
intriguing and extremely informative presentation by park staff and
local, amateur astronomers. The group then moves to Point Supreme where
they are treated to viewings through several, high-powered telescopes.
To learn more and to get a schedule of the Star Parties, call the Park
at 435-586-9451. Cedar Breaks is located 23 miles east of Cedar City,
via highways 14 and 148. |
