Cedar Breaks National Monument: A Day Trip from St. George
Cedar Breaks: a 10,000-foot amphitheatre of red rock 90 minutes from St. George — cooler, quieter and seasonal.
Cedar Breaks is the best summer escape within easy reach of St. George, and the reason is a single number: the rim sits above 10,000 feet.
What the altitude does
It is roughly twenty degrees cooler than St. George. When the valley is above 100°F, this is somewhere you want a jacket — which is why the drive up is so popular in July and August.
It closes in winter. Snow shuts the access road for a large part of the year, reopening in late spring. That makes Cedar Breaks effectively a summer and early-autumn destination for anyone arriving by car, though it becomes a snowshoeing and cross-country skiing area for those prepared to get there.
Dates vary considerably with snowfall — check the National Park Service before building a trip around it.
It affects people. Going from around 2,800 feet in St. George to over 10,000 in ninety minutes is a real change. Expect to be short of breath on gentle walks, drink more than usual, and take the first hour gently.
What is actually there
A vast natural amphitheatre of eroded red and orange rock — similar in character to Bryce Canyon's hoodoos, at higher elevation, with a fraction of the visitors.
The viewing is from overlooks along the rim road, so a great deal of it is accessible without hiking, and short rim trails link them.
Two things people come for besides the view
Summer wildflowers. The high meadows produce a genuinely notable display, and because the season runs late at this elevation it fills the gap after the desert has finished blooming — see spring wildflowers.
Dark skies. Elevation and remoteness make this one of the best stargazing locations within reach — thinner air means steadier, sharper stars. See dark skies beyond St. George.
Practical
- Ninety minutes or so from St. George, and the drive climbs steadily.
- Bring far more warmth than the valley suggests. Evenings here are cold in July, and weather changes fast at this elevation.
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer at altitude, and being on an exposed rim in one is genuinely dangerous. Plan to be off high ground by early afternoon.
- Sun is fierce at altitude. Utah has the highest melanoma rate in the country, and thinner atmosphere means more exposure, not less.
- Fuel and supplies before you leave the valley or in Cedar City.
Combining it
Cedar Breaks pairs naturally with Brian Head — see skiing Brian Head — which is adjacent and open in summer for biking and hiking. It is also a sensible stop on the way to or from Bryce Canyon.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Cedar Breaks, and why does it matter?
The rim sits above 10,000 feet, which is the single most important thing to know about visiting. It makes the monument roughly twenty degrees cooler than St. George, which is why it is such a good summer escape, but it also means the air is thin enough to affect visitors arriving from the valley, and that snow closes the access road for a large part of the year. Take the altitude seriously on your first visit.
When is Cedar Breaks open?
Seasonally. The access road closes with winter snow and reopens in late spring, so the monument is effectively a summer and early-autumn destination for driving visitors — though it becomes a snowshoeing and cross-country skiing area in winter for those prepared to reach it. Dates vary considerably year to year with snowfall, so check the National Park Service before planning a trip around it.
What is there to see?
A vast natural amphitheatre of eroded red and orange rock, similar in character to Bryce Canyon's hoodoos but far less visited, viewed from overlooks along the rim road. In summer the meadows produce a genuinely notable wildflower display, and the elevation and remoteness make it one of the better dark-sky locations in the region for stargazing.