Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument in southwestern Utah protects a high-elevation natural amphitheater of eroded limestone, sandstone, and shale noted for vivid colours and hoodoos. The rim of the amphitheater sits above 10,000 feet in elevation.

The landscape formed through uplift and erosion over millions of years; the site was protected in the 20th century as a national monument to preserve its geological and ecological features. Over time infrastructure has been added to enable safe public viewing from the rim.

Cedar Breaks sits on the Markagunt Plateau in southwestern Utah within Dixie National Forest, near the small mountain communities and ski areas of the Brian Head region.

• High elevation: The monument sits above 10,000 feet in elevation, so conditions can be cool and weather can change rapidly - roads and facilities are often closed by snow in winter.
• Best time to visit: The amphitheater’s colours and hoodoos are best seen from the rim overlooks; summer wildflower peak is a popular time for visitors.

What to See#

• Spectator Amphitheater: The amphitheater is a natural bowl of eroded limestone and sandstone featuring multi-hued pinnacles and hoodoos, measuring roughly 3 miles across and plunging more than 2,000 feet from rim to floor.
• Rim drive and overlooks: A rim road and series of overlooks provide access to viewpoints, picnic areas, and trailheads; interpretive signs describe geology and high-elevation flora.
• Alpine meadows and wildflowers: High-altitude meadows and seasonal wildflower displays that occupy the amphitheater and adjacent slopes during the summer months.

• Check road and season status before you go-Cedar Breaks sits at high elevation and access is commonly limited by snow outside the short summer season.
• Arrive at opening or late afternoon for the best light on the amphitheater and to avoid the busiest midday window; ranger programs and viewpoints are far less crowded early.
• Take a few minutes at the visitor center to learn which rim overlooks are open that day-many visitors only pause at the main viewpoint and miss nearby shorter trails and overlooks.