Cedar Breaks National Monument
Geology, Wildflowers and Night Skies at 10,000 Feet
Cedar Breaks National Monument is just located over an hour north and west of Kanab. It sits at the western edge of a large plateau at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. The views from this area are quite spectacular and offer scenic formations similar to those found at Bryce Canyon National Park. This national monument offers a Junior Ranger Program and ranger-guided hikes along with educational programs where visitors may learn about the geology and history of the monument. Wildlife on this plateau is significant with deer, elk, porcupines and more. Sighting of deer will be the most likely occurrence while other large animals (mountain lions, bears, etc.) are less likely to be seen.
Night-time star parties are also available and are held at Point Supreme Overlook. During summer months this area is accessible with your vehicle. In the winter season, services are closed, but Cedar Breaks Monument can be accessed by cross-country skis, snowmobile or snowshoe. A yurt (small hut) is frequently staffed by volunteers who may offer warm-cocoa during the winter months.
Deep inside the coliseum are stone spires, columns, arches, pinnacles, and intricate canyons in varying shades of red, yellow and purple. The bristlecone pine, one of the world’s oldest trees, grows in the area and can be found along the Spectra Point Trail. The Dixie National Forest surrounds Cedar Breaks providing lush alpine meadows clustered with ponderosa pines and quaking aspens. During the summer months, the wildflower display is spectacular.
Recreational activities at Cedar Breaks include sightseeing, photography, hiking, nature study, picnicking and camping. Two mile/3.2 kilometer trails, the Alpine Pond Trail and the Spectra Point Trail, are accessible from the road. The trails are easy walks but can be strenuous for the elderly, persons with respiratory problems and those who are not in good physical condition because of the park’s high elevation (10,000 feet/3048 meters). The monument is a premier cross-country skiing and snowmobiling destination in the winter with access from Brian Head Resort.
