Atop the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah, sitting at 10,000 feet is a small national monument known as Cedar Breaks National Monument. The “breaks” are a series of precipitous, carved slopes and spires in the shape of an amphitheater, 3 miles across and over 2,000 feet deep. Because some of the rocks are softer than others, weathering and erosion occur at different rates, creating the fantastic shapes and spires of the monument. Reminiscent of Bryce and Zion National Parks, this small area packs the same beauty and awe-inspiring shapes of carved stone!

When the Paiute Indians used to occupy this region, they referred to it as “u-map-wich,” which translates to “the place where the rocks are sliding down constantly.” The muds, silts and limes of the formation were created 50 to 60 million years ago in a freshwater lake. The lake bottom was raised along a fault line, leaving the soaring Markagunt Plateau exposed to wind and weather, causing a great deal of erosion and a place where the rocks slide down constantly. The layers of rock come in a rainbow hue of colors, from snow white to black, pink to red, orange to brown. Changing light throughout the day changes the colors until sunset fires to whole with crimson.

Cedar Breaks National Monument sits at the extreme western end of the Markagunt, a Paiute word meaning “highland of trees.” Which brings us to yet another draw of Cedar Breaks, the soaring evergreen forest of Engelmann spruce and fir trees. Some of the bristlecone pines are as much as 1,600 years old (hike to Spectra Point to see these beauties).

Cedar Breaks National Monument is an excellent location for wildflower walks in the summer and brilliant leaf color in autumn. The Wildflower Festival takes place in July, while late September to early October offer the best views of leaf colors in Cedar Mountain. USA Today rates Cedar Breaks National Monument as “one of the top ten places to experience fall colors” in the United States.

Cedar Breaks National Monument offers some great hiking trails, from leg-stretchers to truly challenging scrambles. Remember, 10,000 feet will have your lungs starved for oxygen so take it slow! There are also plenty of ranger-led programs during the summer months to help you learn more about the geology, plants, animals and history of the area.

Pointe Supreme Campground (mid-June through late September) is a great place to get back to nature and enjoy the beauty of the monument. The nearby towns of Cedar City, Brian Head and Parowan, Utah, offer more civilized lodging, as well as dining and shopping opportunities.

Cedar Breaks National Monument
2390 W. HWY 56, Suite 11
Cedar City, UT  84720
(435)586-9451 Phone