Fall Wonder at Every Turn – Cedar City, UT

Pumpkin spice is twice as nice when you pair it with an adventure and stunning views. Fall is the perfect time to step away from the day to day and experience the wonders waiting around every corner in Southern Utah. With Cedar City as your base camp, take a scenic drive, hike the rim of a vibrant red rock amphitheater, and relax under night skies teeming with stars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY ONE

 

 

Afternoon|

Grab a bike and hit the nearby trails, Lichen It, and Lava Flow. With local bike rental options that are affordable and convenient, it’s easy to take advantage of the miles and miles of mountain bike trails in Cedar City that are minutes away. No need for a long drive, the Iron Hills Trail System features popular flow trails and sweeping views of Cedar City that you won’t find anywhere else. 

 

 

Evening | After checking into your accommodations take a moment to explore Historic Downtown Cedar City. Stop for dinner at Centro Woodfired Pizzeria, enjoy a glass of red or white at IG Winery, and browse the local shops and galleries.

 

 

 

 

 

DAY TWO

 

 

Morning | Start the morning with a coffee or tea and freshly baked bagel from the Bristlecone Coffee Company on Center Street. This new addition to Cedar City has a variety of menu options including vegan/vegetarian options.

 

• Pack a lunch from the Pastry Pub (86 W Center Street) so you don’t have to backtrack later in the day. 

 

Afternoon | Start your Fall Color Loop drive on State Route 14 (Center Street in Cedar City). State Route 14 makes a steep, winding climb through cedar canyon to the top of the Markagunt Plateau, at nearly 10,000 feet. Forests of aspen, pine, and spruce will occasionally open up to glimpse red rock formations and even views of Zion National Park to the South. Take Highway 148 through to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Pause at the Fee Station to pay park entrance fees ($10 per person) and use the picnic tables there for lunch. Then take in the views at the Point Supreme Overlook and hike the Ramparts Overlook Trail and the Alpine Pond Nature Trail for great fall views. 

 

 

 

 

Dinner | Less than 10 minutes away, the nearby town of Brian Head is the perfect place to stop for dinner. Enjoy Thai cuisine, pizza, steak, or BBQ at one of their restaurants and shop for souvenirs at the Brian Head General Store or Apple Annie’s. 

 

Evening | After dinner grab a jacket and backtrack to Cedar Breaks National Monument for views that are out of this world. An International Dark Sky Park, visitors to Cedar Breaks National Monument get to see more stars than they’ve ever seen in their lives… even when the moon is out! To help find constellations you can use a stargazing app or download constellation maps using the links included here. 

 

 

 

 

DAY THREE

 

 

Morning | After checking out of your accommodations, stop for breakfast at the French Spot Cafe. Sit back with a croissant and coffee, close your eyes, and listen to some French tunes on their outdoor patio. 

 

Extend your stay: If time allows, before heading home take a detour to the ‘quiet side’ of Zion National Park, Kolob Canyon. As fall moves forward and the leaves at high elevations are past their color peak, the fall foliage on the Northside of Zion National Park, Kolob Canyon, is still putting on a show. Along the five-mile scenic drive visitors can see vibrant fall colors standing out against towering red rock formations.

 

 

 

 

Cover Image by @jordanholiman on Instagram #VisitCedarCity

*Book your fall getaway before September 25th to take advantage of these offers from our partners*