Tucked away just within city limits – behind the Cedar Ridge Golf Course – this red rock playground is teeming with outdoor activities! An 18-hole disc golf course, miles of mountain bike trails, great hiking, and more are all just minutes from Historic Downtown at Thunderbird Gardens.
Whether you're spending an entire day out and about taking in all that Thunderbird Gardens has to offer or just need to kill a couple of hours before your next adventure, there's something here for everyone!
Disc Golf Course
Disc golf enthusiasts and beginners can find an afternoon of fun clambering over the rugged, high desert terrain of the 18-hole disc golf course in this recreation area.
Standing on the starting platform, the view is incredible and only gets better as you progress through the course. The course winds throughout the vibrant landscape with some climbs along the way. The course can be easily tailored to fit all abilities. A common adjustment to the course is to play holes 1-10 and finish on 18. The view from 18 is a must!
The front nine holes have substantially less hiking available while still offering some fun big elevation shots. The back nine require some climbing, but they’re worth it! Keep in mind that along the way, it’s not uncommon to find yourself or other golfers clambering up a juniper tree to rescue a rogue disc.
Mountain Biking
If you have time, bring the mountain bikes or rent a couple from Cedar Sports or Cedar Cycle downtown before heading out to Thunderbird Gardens. There are eight trails of varying difficulty and terrain that ribbon through the recreation area that all offer their own unique challenges.
While the hiking trails are open to all experience levels, the mountain bike trails in Thunderbird Gardens are not necessarily for beginners. The majority of the trails are tight single-tracks that curve through rocks, steep side-slopes, and modestly tight turns. Though, for those advanced enough to traverse these trails, the views are incredible.
Looking for a more challenging ride with some unbelievable views along the way? The Razorback Trail is a 1.1-mile trail (very difficult) that snakes through striated sand and red rock and a unique landscape. This unusual view can be seen in the image below from local mountain biker, Jake Miller.
Hiking Trails
With several hiking trails running throughout Thunderbird Gardens, it's no surprise that it's a local favorite for low-elevation hiking trails! Find unique rock formations (pictured below) along the Thor's Hideout Trail. Take in interesting geology and striated rock along the Razorback Trail. Or connect through to Cedar Canyon along the Red Hollow Trail!
Keep an eye out for wildlife and unique rock formations as you go. Many of the hiking trails in Thunderbird Gardens are pet friendly as well! Just be sure to keep them leashed and clean up after them along the way. Area hiking maps can be found at the Cedar City Visitor Center at 581 North Main Street in Cedar City. The guide is also available for download here.
Getting There
From Cedar City, Main Street turn east onto 900 North and continue on the dirt road to the parking lot.
Click here to find Thunderbird Gardens on Google Maps
Let WONDER be your guide.