The way dust catches the light and swirls as it flares behind the tire of a mountain bike rounding the corner is an art form. The perfectly packed vehicle and meticulously planned itinerary are a masterpiece. Wildflowers blooming across the meadows and mingling with dark pines against a red rock backdrop on your hike can inspire.
Planning for Inspiration
With fast-paced schedules in our day-to-day, a slow-paced and intentional getaway can be just what you need to spark that flame of inspiration. And finding that is all in the itinerary!
As much as we all love a travel bucket list or quick round-up of must-do and must-see places, it can get overwhelming.
What if permits are required for two of those hikes? Or they're seasonal? Or they're an hour away from each other?
An itinerary that focuses on one big adventure each day with a few must-see additions, can help with a manageable experience that lends to a deeper connection.
An Itinerary for the National Parks (3-Day Getaway)
- Day One: Zion National Park
- Visit the Main Park, plan on two - three trails
- Leave time to explore Springdale
- Take the Kolob Canyons scenic drive at Sunset on your way to Cedar City
- Grab dinner in downtown
- Day Two: Cedar Breaks National Monument + Cedar Mountain
- Visit Cedar Breaks National Monument - Scenic Overlooks + a trail or two
- Lunch in Brian Head town and Scenic Chairlift Ride for the views and quiet
- Explore Navajo Lake, maybe even fish a little
- Grab dinner at Rusty's Ranchouse on the way back to town for Canyon Views
- Day Three: Bryce Canyon National Park
- Visit the park, enjoy the scenic drive, hike a trail or two
- Explore the cute shops just outside the park
- Take the scenic ride home - Hwy 89 is beautiful
It's not uncommon for our team to have visitors ask how they can see both Zion and Bryce Canyon in the same day. Our answer is.... you really can't. When possible, it's best to slow down, take in each park for what they are and the beautiful places that surround them, and take in their awe-inspiring views at a slower pace.
An Itinerary for Feeling Small Among Nature (3-Day)
- Day One: Among Towering Rock Walls
- Hike the Kanrraville Falls Trail (permits available here) to find a hidden waterfall between towering red rock walls.
- After your hike, grab a bite at Fire + Smoke BBQ
- Relax inside with a visit to the Southern Utah Museum of Art
- The building design was inspired by Utah's iconic slot canyons and night skies
- Catch the sunset between stone walls at the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs
- Day Two: Monumental Views + Stars
- Take the scenic drive to Cedar Breaks National Monument
- On the way, stop at the Zion Overlook
- Find ancient Bristlecone pines with a 1-mile hike on the Bristlecone Pine Trail
- At Cedar Breaks, stop at the Point Supreme Overlook and hike to the Spectra Point Overlook
- Grab lunch in Brian Head and drive to the top of Brian Head Peak
- 11,000 feet in elevation for incredible views
- Circle back to Cedar Breaks for a guided dark sky tour at an international dark sky park
- Take the scenic drive to Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Day Three: From High to Low
- Explore the north side of Zion National Park, Kolob Canyons
- Take the 5-mile scenic drive for beautiful views
- Catch incredible views from the scenic overlook and picnic area at the top
- Hike the Taylor Creek Middle Fork Trail
- Valley views looking up at the red rock cliffs
- Historic family cabins along the trail
- Stunning double-arch alcove at the end of the trail
An Itinerary for Feeling Inspired by the Past (2-Day Getaway):
- Day One: Exploring Parowan & Brian Head
- Start with a scenic drive to the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs
- Continue along Gap Road to the town of Parowan
- Visit the Old Rock Chuch
- Stop by the Parowan Visitor Center to learn more (don't miss the bank vault!)
- On your way to Brian Head, stop by the historic Parowan Cemetery
- In Brian Head, take a scenic chairlift ride to the top of Brian Head Peak
- Drive to the overlook at Brian Head Peak (views at 11,000 feet)
- Drive to Cedar Breaks to visit their Human History Museum and take in the view
- Day Two: Utah + The American West
- Start the morning with a drive to Old Iron Town Historic Site
- On your way back, grab breakfast at SIlver SIlo Bakery & Espresso
- Explore with hands-on history and exhibits at Frontier Homestead State Park
- Pick up a Historic Tour pocket guide from the Visitor Center (581 N Main) and walk Downtown
- If you're traveling south to return home, detour to Silver Reef Ghost Town in Leeds
Travel Safe
and we hope you take home a piece of inspiration from your visit to Southern Utah. #VisitCedarCity