Ready to road trip from Las Vegas, NV to Cedar Breaks National Monument?
Less than a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, NV, Cedar Breaks National Monument is a red rock wonder with cooler temperatures and must-hike trails. With incredible scenery along the way, it makes a great destination between Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Between the three parks (on your way from Vegas to Cedar Breaks), there are some unique places in between that are worth checking out along the way. If you're travelling north on I-15 from Las Vegas, NV, to State Route 14 (SR14) and Cedar Breaks, here are 5 places that are worth adding to your southern Utah road trip.
Stop #1: Red Cliffs Recreation Area
Directions: 2 hrs from Las Vegas, north on I-15. Exit 22. (Leeds, UT)
Things to Know: $5 day-use fee. Vehicles over 11'9" cannot pass through two narrow I-15 underpasses.
Red Cliffs Recreation Area has cool red rock views, picnic areas, hiking trails where you can stretch your legs, and restrooms. The Red Reef Trail (pictured) is the most popular. And the Anasazi Trail is a cool half-mile trail to the Red Cliffs Archaeological Site. The real stand-out for this stop, though? Dinosaur tracks! Along the 0.2-mile Silver Reef Trail, you can find preserved dinosaur tracks from the viewpoint.
Stop #2: Kolob Canyons, North Zion National Park
Directions: 22 minutes from Red Cliffs, north on I-15. Exit 40.
Things to Know: Zion National Park day-use fee is $35 per vehicle.
The quiet side of Zion National Park, Kolob Canyons, is no less spectacular than the main canyon. With towering cliffs of crimson sandstone, hiking trails, swaths of forest and wildflowers (in summer), and a 5-mile scenic drive, you can experience this park in many ways. Get out and hike trails like Timber Creek Overlook Trail (1-mile round trip) for panoramic views of the valley and Kolob cliffs. While still part of Zion, the views in Kolob differ from those in the main canyon. (And not just because of the lack of shuttles.)
Stop #3: Cedar City, Utah
Directions: 20 minutes from Kolob Canyons, north on I-15. Exit 57.
Things to Know: Cedar City is known as Festival City, USA, thanks to the frequent events hosted in the community.
Grab some food, explore the arts, and rest for a bit after your hikes in Kolob and Red Cliffs with a visit to Cedar City. Park downtown (street parking is available near the Southern Utah Museum of Art, or you can park on 100 West and walk) and grab some coffee at The Grind or Bristlecone, or lunch at Centro Woodfired Pizza, The Pub Spirits + Craft Kitchen, or Las Flores Mexican Restaurant. From there, take a little walk down Center Street to the Beverley Center for the Arts to visit the sculpture gardens, Southern Utah Museum of Art (free admission), and the theaters of the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
If you're considering an extended visit or overnight after Cedar Breaks, Cedar City is a great choice for overnight lodging. As a bonus, you can catch the free nightly Greenshow at the Festival when you return.
Stop #4: Zion Overlook in Cedar Canyon
Directions: 22 minutes from downtown Cedar City, north on State Route 14 (SR 14).
Things to Know: The overlook has a large paved area on the road shoulder at about mile marker 16.
Enjoy the scenic drive through Cedar Canyon (SR 14) with towering canyon walls, views of the creek, patches of forest, and incredible scenic overlooks. Like the Zion Overlook! At mile marker 16, you'll see a paved pull-off area and signage. Aptly named the Zion Overlook, you can spot the rising cliffs of Zion National Park across the forested valley.
Stop #5: Cedar Breaks National Monument
Directions: 10 minutes from the Zion Canyon Overlook. Turn left at the junction with Hwy 148.
Things to Know: Admission fee of $15 per person or $25 per vehicle. CLOSED IN WINTER.
Time to celebrate, stretch a little in the parking lot before going into the new Visitor Center to show your park pass, shop, and grab a map; we've made it to our destination! After exploring the visitor center, it's time to hit the trails and stop at each scenic overlook for a new view at each one. Start at Point Supreme Overlook for a sweeping view of the red rock amphitheater and visit the small human history museum in the old visitor center. From there, take the short and partially paved Sunset Trail from the Visitor Center to the picnic area before continuing on to the Sunset Overlook. After that, you'll need to drive to the next three overlooks (Alpine Pond Overlook, Chessman Overlook, and North Overlook).
Consider planning your visit around: The Wildflower Festival in July for spectacular blooms of over 250 species in the meadows. On weekends, the rangers host free Star Parties to enjoy the monument's dark skies.
