First-Time Visitor’s Guide To Cedar City, UT
Make the most of your first visit with us here in Cedar City using this list of must-see places in the area! Discover the natural wonders waiting in our backyard. Enjoy the exuberant festivals and live theater that Cedar City is known for. Stargaze at 10,000 feet beneath a dazzling sky.
And don’t forget to make a list of everything in between for your next visit!
Cedar Breaks National Monument
The early Paiute people called Cedar Breaks the “Circle of Painted Cliffs” referring to multicolored stone ridges of this naturally carved amphitheater. Home to curious wildlife and ancient Bristlecone Pines, time seems to stand still at Cedar Breaks in the best way. And as a bonus, the views at night are out of this world! An International Dark Sky Park, many nighttime visitors to Cedar Breaks get to see more stars than they’ve ever seen in their lives. Hwy 148 through Cedar Breaks is typically open Memorial Day weekend – October.
Admission Cost is $10 per person over the age of 16. National Park passes apply.
In winter visitors can experience Cedar Breaks via snowmobile or a snowshoe hike. Learn more at nps.gov/cebr.
Parowan Gap Petroglyphs
With over 90 panels and 1,500 figures, the Parowan Gap Petroglyphs are believed to be one of the most concentrated collections of petroglyphs in the West, and one of the most accessible! The Parowan Gap is also home to some incredible archaeo-astronomy events (centered around seasonal equinox events in spring, summer, and fall) and is only two miles away from preserved dinosaur prints.
The Parowan Gap is open year-round and is a great destination for spring and fall.
Utah Shakespeare Festival
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is a true Cedar City classic! A Tony Award-winning repertory theater experience with 8 plays performed annually in repertory in one grand outdoor theater and two indoor theaters. The Festival also offers a free nightly Greenshow performance. The summer Greenshow is a lighthearted and free event with delightful dances and lively music.
The season runs from June to mid-October.
Brian Head Resort
Summertime: plan a summer weekend getaway to experience a lift-serviced mountain bike haven that’s removed from the summer heat at 10,000 feet! Take the lift and fly down the flow trails at the Brian Head Bike Park, experience the wonder of over 200 miles of backcountry trails, or enjoy the summer events and resort activities.
Wintertime: Champagne powder and expertly groomed runs, with a stunning backdrop of iconic southern Utah red rock, Brian Head Resort is everything you want in a Utah ski resort! Experience a true winter wonderland with a visit to Brian Head Resort and the myriad of winter activities available.
LOCAL TIP: Minutes from Cedar Breaks National Monument, add a snowshoe hike into the monument to your winter visit for stunning views of red rock and snow!
Golf & Disc Golf
A true choose-you-own adventure opportunity, Cedar City is home to some incredible disc golf and classic golf! Hit the green at the Cedar Ridge Golf Course, an 18-hole regulation course located against the red hills on the east side of Cedar City. With tee times available on a walk-in basis, it’s easy to add to your visit.
Or schedule some time to play one of Cedar City’s unique Disc Golf courses! With three systems available and 6 courses in the area, you’ll discover something new and wonderful at each course. Try your hand at two different terrains at Three Peaks Recreation Area, or get lost in the red rock in Thunderbird Gardens.
LOCAL TIP: Golfing at Cedar Ridge is a perfect afternoon activity for recovery day. Especially since it’s such a scenic and unique course to play!
Southern Utah Museum of Art
Explore the exhibits at the Southern Utah Museum of Art. Affectionately known as SUMA, this is a state-of-the-art museum and home to 5,300 square feet of exhibition space! With rotating exhibits and a stunning permanent collection of landscape art by regional artist Jimmie F. Jones, there’s always something wonderful to discover.
The Southern Utah Museum of Art is open year-round and admission is free.
Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
Step back in time with a visit to the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum. Tour the grounds of the homestead and the eight historic structures that call it home. Pan for gold, wash laundry like a true pioneer, or play horseshoes with hands-on activities. Inside you’ll find a large collection of carriages and vehicles, including a stagecoach that you can sit in for a great photo to remember your visit by!
The Frontier Homestead is open year-round and admission is $4 per person.
Kolob Canyons, North Zion National Park
The north side of Zion National Park, Kolob Canyons is a must-see part of the park that you won’t want to miss. Take the 5-mile scenic drive along the Kolob Canyons Road to get an up-close view of the crimson canyons. There are several scenic pull-offs along the way as well as hiking trails. Explore the Zion wilderness and two historic cabins along the Taylor Creek Trail or check out sweeping views along the Timber Creek Overlook Trail.
While the trails are best hiked in summer and fall, the scenic drive is a must-see in winter!
Zion National Park Admission cost is $35 for a pass, valid for 7 days. National Park passes apply.
Mountain Bike Scene
Cedar City has built a reputation for a grab-your-bike-and-go environment that’s a true mecca of opportunity for mountain bike enthusiasts. Minutes outside of Cedar City there are over 60 miles of trails with variety in difficulty and scenery. Some of the most popular trails in the area can be found in the Iron Hills Trail System on the south end of town.
