Communities

The story behind Brian Head begins with the most basic element of folklore: the naming of the place. No one really knows the origin of Brian Head’s unique name, but the stories of the names are often as interesting as the people that tell them.

Brian Head was originally known as Monument Peak and was used by early surveyors and expedition leaders as a point of reference. The name changed in the early 1900s. Exactly why the name changed, however, is subject to conjecture.

One story claims that famous explorer John Wesley Powell saw the peak above all the other mountains and named it after an official in the Geological Survey Office by the name of Bryan.

Another story claims that residents of neighboring Parowan changed the name in 1890 to Bryan Head in honor of an American politician named William Jennings Bryan. Still, another claims that the wife of a United States government official visited the area, didn’t like the name of Monument Peak, and wrote letters to prominent government officials to change the name to Bryan Head (the spelling has obviously since been to “Brian” Head.)

As the Brian Head area grew, so did industry. Soon the area was teeming with farming, grazing, and logging. There was even a small section of town known as Little Ireland that became famous for its butter and cheese.

Early day in Brian Head included a hotel, restaurant, and dance hall that was operated by Minnie Adams Burton. “Minnie’s Mansion” became the gathering place for people from all around. On the 24th of July, an annual celebration commenced at Minnie’s that brought sheep and cattle herders from miles around for huge breakfasts, horse racing, potato sack races, fireworks, and dancing.

In more recent times, local resident Burt Nichols saw something in the beautiful slopes surrounding the town, and in 1964, he opened the Brian Head Resort with one chairlift, a T-bar, and a warming house. The town of Brian Head incorporated in 1975. In 1990, Brian Head Resort was able to expand its season when they added snowmaking technology and terrain parks for snowboarding. That same year, Brian Head became a premier mountain bike destination utilizing the over 200 miles of existing livestock trails that lend to superb mountain biking downhill. In late 2007, the resort completed an expansion effort that increased their skiable terrain to over 650 acres including a new snowmaking system and an interconnecting bridge.

Brian Head Resort receives over 360 inches of famous Utah powder every year. The resort features Utah’s highest base elevation of 9,600 ft. with a lift-served vertical drop of 1,320 ft. from Brian Head Peak. Brian Head has over 650 acres, with eight chairlifts, 71 runs and three terrain parks for all ability levels.

With a tubing hill located at Giant Steps, this is a winter activity almost anyone can enjoy. A surface lift whisks you to the top of the hills 600 ft. long courses, and you’ll be swooshing down the mountain and then back at the top in no time at all. For quality assurance and to secure a tubing session, please call (435) 677-2035 for reservations, or check www.brianhead.com.

Snowmobile tours are available in Brian Head to the Cedar Mountain Snowmobile Complex, considered one of the most scenic snowmobiling areas in the west. The complex has over 160 miles of pristine trails and wide open play areas. Trailheads are located at Brian Head and Cedar Breaks. Check the Guides and Outfitters for tours.

Experience incredible mountain biking at the Brian Head Mountain Bike Park and Activity Center, voted “one of the best, unique and most unusual mountain bike vacation resorts” by Mountain Bike Action magazine. Bikers can access over 200 miles of single and double track trails, with a wide array of options in trail length and technical ability.

In the summer, the mountain bike chairlift at Brian Head Ski Resort (chair #2) is also available to hikers and sightseers in search of Utah’s famous red-rock vistas. Bring a jacket — the view is fabulous but it’s definitely cool at 11,000 feet. Open on weekends, generally from early July through mid-September. Go to www.brianhead.com for chairlift schedule and cost.

Dirt roads and trails left from the pioneer days ribbon through southern Utah’s landscape, making for some of the best off-highway riding in the state. There are over 400 miles of designated trails in the high mountain passes of the Dixie National Forest area of the Markagunt Plateau. OHV rentals and tours are available with local outfitters. Check with local visitor centers, the Dixie National Forest, (1789 N. Wedgewood Dr, Cedar City, (435) 865-3700), and the Bureau of Land Management, (176 DL Sargent Dr, Cedar City, (435) 865-3000 for designated trails and maps.

In the summer and Fall, the Bristlecone Pond is a fun place in town for the family to hang out, catch some fish, or bring your kayak.

Don’t forget Gaint Steps on the weekends to entertain your inner adrenaline junkie with mini zip-line, chairlift rides, disc golf, and bungee trampoline. If you are up for a physical challenge, spend the day at the climbing wall and then ride your cares away at the alpine tubing hill.

Brian Head offers a free town shuttle during the ski season with front door service to the Resort base lodges.

Population

83

Elevation

9,700 feet

Distance from Cedar City

32 miles

Brian Head Town Visitor Center

56 N. Hwy 143
Brian Head, UT 84719
(435) 677-2029

When iron deposits were found in Southern Utah, Mormon leader Brigham Young called for volunteers to colonize the Iron Mission Area. A site near Coal Creek was selected in November 1851 for the Iron Works. Originally called Little Muddy, then Coal Creek, Cedar City was named for the “cedar” trees in the area, though these trees are actually juniper trees. Ten months after site selection, the new colony completed a small blast furnace and began to operate the iron foundry. It was the first iron to be manufactured west of Missouri. Because of problems with the furnace, flood and hostility between settlers and Native Americans, the foundry closed in 1858. Unlike many small mining towns of that era, Cedar City continued to grow and prosper. Residents turned to farming and agriculture for economic well-being. Mining efforts began again to help provide much needed ore during WWII and continued until the 1980s.

In 1897, the people of Cedar City learned that the Utah Legislature had authorized a school for higher learning in Southern Utah. The community labored to construct the Ward Hall, however, after being in session only two months, the attorney general stated that the school had to have its own building on land deeded to the state. He said if the building was not erected by the following September, the school would be lost. At that point, winter had set in and building materials were nonexistent. The residents of Cedar City were unencumbered as they planned to make the trek up the mountain to secure the necessary logs for the building.

For days the team of wagons waded through one of the worst mountain snowstorms ever to hit Southern Utah. The snow was often shoulder-deep as the men pushed their way up the mountain toward the lumber mills. They slept in holes scraped out of the snow. After reaching the sawmill and gathering the necessary lumber, the men were discouraged with the realization that they now had to turn back. The wagons that could not make it were abandoned. Tired and frozen, the party felt they could go no further. It was then that an old sorrel horse proved invaluable. Placed out at the front of the party, the horse would walk steadily into the drifts, pushing against the snow, throwing himself into the drifts again and again until they gave way. When he paused to rest, he sat on his haunches the way a dog would. Then onward he would push. “Old Sorrel” was credited with being the savior of the expedition. In the fall of 1898, the building was complete. The people of Cedar City had persevered and finished the building known today as Old Main. A statue of “Old Sorrel” also stands as a monument to the dedication of a people and their commitment to education.

In 1913, the college became a branch of Utah State Agricultural College of Logan. In 1968, the legislature transformed it into a 4-year college of liberal arts and science with elementary and secondary teacher education programs. On January 1, 1991, it attained university status. In addition to being an educational haven, Southern Utah University is also the home of the world-renowned Utah Shakespeare Festival and The Utah Summer Games. Both of these events bring increasing numbers of tourists to this thriving community every year.

The Union Pacific Railroad Company reached Cedar City in 1923. This contributed greatly to Cedar City’s growth in mining and agriculture, providing an outlet for the products of the iron mines as well as produce. The railroad exposed Utah’s National Parks to the world of tourism and Cedar City was dubbed “the gateway to the parks.” Though the Depot was closed in 1959, the railroad still comes through Cedar City and transports products in and out of the community.

Enjoy Award-winning festival in three stunning theaters: the outdoor Engelstad Theatre, which is a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the indoor Randall L. Jones Theatre, a stunning modern facility featuring contemporary works, and indoor Anes Studio Theater, an intimate 200-seat performance space. Enjoy matinee and evening performances, backstage tours and a free greenshow during the summer season.  Summer season: late June through Labor Day. and Fall season: mid–September through mid–October.  Located at 351 W University Blvd.  Box Office is 1–(800) PLAYTIX. www.bard.org.

As part of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts, this state-of-the-art museum is home to 5,300 square feet of exhibition space composed of several individual galleries. SUMA hosts FREE exhibitions from around the world, as well as a special collection of work by Utah artist Jim Jones, and features rotating exhibits from the permanent collections. SUMA also regularly exhibits works of Southern Utah University’s Art and Design students and faculty as well as provides a venue for displaying regional artists and juried shows. Located at 300 W. University Blvd./Center St. (435) 586-5432 www.suu.edu/suma.

Experience time travel through the park’s massive collection of horse-drawn vehicles. You can imagine yourself as a stagecoach driver or a pioneer crossing the plains in a covered wagon. Experience life on the frontier with interactive displays and exhibits dedicated to pioneer life. Cost is $4 per person. Open all year, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday with extended hours in the summer. Located at 635 N. Main, Cedar City. (435) 586-9290 www.frontierhomestead.org.

The historic downtown has quaint shops, local restaurants, coffee houses, an old time soda fountain, antique stores, and regional arts & crafts shops. Historical buildings in the district include the Old Post Office, the Rock Church and the Union Pacific Railroad Depot. Open all year with most shops open Monday through Saturday. The shopping district includes the area of Main Street from 200 North to University Blvd.

Features stunning large scale memorials, statues, monuments and walking trails built in honor of veterans of World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.  The park is open all year during daylight hours only, weather permitting. Located next to the Coal Creek at 200 N. (Freedom Blvd) and 200 East.

Park Discovery

Park Discovery is a fun, educational place where kids of all ages can learn and play. Concepts from over 4,000 local kids were integrated into the design concept of the park. Along with educational play elements, there’s an outdoor classroom, stage area, a separate play area for toddlers, handicap accessible ramps and swings, and a ¾ paved walking trail that surrounds the park. Directions: head west on Cross Hollow Road (I-15 Exit #57) to Royal Hunte Dr., turn right, and go all the way to the top of the hill to the parking area next to the Iron County School District building. Open daily-, year–round, weather permitting, from sunup to sundown. (435) 865-9223.

Two year–round farmers markets feature crafts and tasty locally grown produce, baked goods, cheeses, and crafts every Saturday. 

The Downtown Year Round Farmers Market is located behind I/G Winery at Stratford Court at 45 W University Blvd/Center St, Cedar City.

Cedar Saturday Market is located in the IFA parking lot (summer) and inside (winter) 905 S Main St, Cedar City.

Cedar City, Utah

Population

28,867

Elevation

5,400 feet

Cedar City Visitor Center

581 N. Main St
Cedar City, UT 84721
(435) 586-5124
www.visitcedarcity.com

Cedar City Office

10 N. Main St
Cedar City, UT 84720
(435) 586-2950
www.cedarcity.org

Cedar City Chamber of Commerce

510 W. 800 South
Cedar City, UT 84720
(435) 586-4484
www.cedarcitychamber.org

Head out toward Three Peaks Recreational Area and cruise over volcanic rock formations and rolling hills. Several times a year 4 x 4 rock crawling competitions are held.

Race down one of the many biking trails over large rock formations and through the challenging desert terrain in the Three Peaks Recreational Area.

Enjoy a relaxing day of horseback riding and siteseeing as you explore the magnificent red rock wonders of Southern Utah.

Enjoy a self-guided tour around the historic ghost town and see old saloons, hotels, and railroad sites.

Paragonah Reservoir, just 8 miles to the east, is a great destination for either a family fishing outing or for the avid fly fisherman. Gorgeous rainbow trout typically range in size up to 17 inches. There is no boat ramp, but small boats can be launched from the shore. Unimproved camping and car accessible (summer & fall only). May is a great time to watch the spawning fish, remember no fishing in spawning areas. *Generally not accessible in the winter.

Yankee Meadow Reservoir: 15 miles southeast, via Hwy 143, turn left at the five mile marker onto a good gravel road. Stocked annually with rainbow trout, brook trout, and Bonneville cutthroat trout. There are two Forest Service campgrounds in the area; camping is not allowed in the immediate vicinity of the lake. A restroom and gravel launch ramp are available at the lake. There are no garbage facilities at the lake, so please pack out what you pack in. General statewide fishing regulations apply. *Generally not accessible in the winter.

Red Creek Canyon Road: take Center Street out of Paragonah (going east). Red Creek Canyon Road is generally a good gravel road that takes you to Red Creek Reservoir. After Red Creek Reservoir it gets a little narrower and in bad weather could become quite a mess. This road eventually connects to the main road to Panguitch Lake, Horse Valley Road. It will take about 2.5 hours to travel the 24 miles to the Lake.

Little Creek Canyon Road: located just north of Paragonah and heads east. On the way up Little Creek Canyon Road you will see quite a few nice rock formations. Little Creek Canyon Road heads north to Hwy 20, or you can continue south to Horse Valley Road and Panguitch Lake.

Enjoy a relaxing day of horseback riding and siteseeing as one explores the magnificent red rock wonders of Southern Utah.

Like the pieces of a quilt, the “Patchwork Parkway” weaves through the spectacular and diverse landscapes of the Markagunt Plateau.

Wind, water and sand carved out this natural passageway that was once used as a major thoroughfare by ancient Native Americans. The different cultures are evident by the hundreds of petroglyphs carved into the Parowan Gap. Researchers have identified solar and lunar calendars, plus hunting and cultural glyphs. The sun, moon and planets rise and set in specific notches in that Gap as indicated by petroglyphs. Location from Parowan Main Street, travel west on 400 North for 10.5 miles to the Gap.

Parowan has over 40 preserved historic homes, buildings and heritage sites all within an easy walk of each other.

The oldest church building in Southern Utah currently used as the home of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum. The museum is a history center for descendents of the early settlers and features one of the largest collections of pioneer photographs and artifacts in Southern Utah. The adjacent Jesse N. Smith Home is also interesting to explore while visiting Parowan. Located in Parowan Town Square (100 South and Main Street).

The homestead is being restored as a working pioneer farmstead by local heritage groups and agriculture students. Guided tours of the cabin, barn and outdoor learning center are available. The urban fishery is open to the public and Utah fishing regulations apply. The Farmstead is open year-round and is located at the corner of 100 North and 400 West in Parowan.

Meeks Pond Urban Fishery located in the heart of Parowan is a great place to catch a big one or feed the resident ducks.

Go on the Sweet Tour and try one of Parowan’s FAMOUS cinnamon rolls at any one of their cafes.

Population

2,790

Elevation

6,000 feet

Distance from Cedar City

21 miles

Parowan Visitor Center

5 S. Main St
Parowan, UT 84761
(435) 477-8190

The easiest way to see the beauty of the backcountry is by vehicle. Just be aware that backways can have surfaces that vary from pavement to gravel with varying degrees of travel difficulty. High clearance vehicles are recommended for most dirt roads and many require 4-wheel drive. Conditions can change quickly after storms. Check at a visitor center before driving on unpaved roads. When planning your trip along a backway it’s advisable to bring preparedness items such as food, water, spare tire, and maps. Cell phones often do not work in the backcountry. Always tell someone your travel plans.

Dry Lakes Backway / Summit Mountain Road

Backway provides sweeping views of Parowan Canyon, Sugarloaf Mountain, High Mountain, and Cedar Breaks National Monument. This is also the access road to the Twisted Forest hiking trail and Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area. The road begins 8 miles up National Scenic Byway SR-143. This is a good gravel road with very steep grade coming off the High Mountain towards Summit township. The road is 19 miles long. Check road conditions ahead of time. Closed in winter.

Off-highway vehicles are permitted on designated roads. Cross-country travel is prohibited and OHVs are not permitted on hiking trails. Check at visitor centers for maps and information before riding.

Experience the great beauty of scenic Southern Utah on incredible scenic backways including the Summit Mountain Road and Dry Lakes Road.