08 Jul 2021
What’s there to do in Cedar City?
Ah, our favorite question! So close to several national parks, surrounded by incredible scenery, and home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, there are so many answers to this question. So, what’s there to do in Cedar City?
Find a list of 20 of our favorite things to see and do below!
1. Catch a Festival or Event
They don’t call us ‘Festival City USA’ for nothing! There’s always something exciting happening in Cedar City, Parowan, or Brian Head, and adding a festival or local event into your itinerary is easier than you might think. Beyond the big events like Utah Shakespeare Festival and the Summer Games, there are weekend happenings too!
Use the image below to browse our event calendar ↓
2. Ride the Iron Hills Trail System
Minutes from downtown Cedar City, this mountain bike trail system is incredibly popular with locals and visiting mountain bike enthusiasts alike. The convenience of being so close to town combined with the wide variety of trail types and difficulty, views, and terrain are a great combo!
Get an inside look at some of these trails using the video linked below ↓
3. Browse the shops in Historic Downtown
Cedar City and our nearby communities are home to some incredible locally-owned shops and businesses! Each business puts a unique and enthusiastic touch on the shops that they run and the items they offer. Spend an afternoon with a ‘treat your self’ approach and see what they have to offer.
Find an overview of local businesses and learn more here ↓
4. Visit Cedar Breaks National Monument
Home to stunning views, curious wildlife, and Bristlecone pines that have been hanging around since the last millennium, time seems to stand still at Cedar Breaks. One of the many perks of visiting this national monument! Stop at the scenic overlooks or hit the trails to experience this natural wonder.
Find an updated Visitor Guide & additional information here ↓
5. Head Out to the Parowan Gap
With over 1,500 petroglyphs on 90 panels, it’s amazing that the Parowan Gap remains such a quiet and unique experience. These petroglyphs are some of the most accessible in the west, just off the road that cuts through the towering formation walls.
Learn more and plan your visit ↓
6. The Play’s the Thing!
The Utah Shakespeare Festival is a Cedar City treasure that we love to share with our visitors! Catch the free evening Greenshow on the lawn or sit down for live theater under the stars in the stunning Englestad. There’s so much to see and enjoy at the festival, and the Sculpture Gardens that surround it!
Learn more and reserve tickets ↓
7. Find Ancient Bristlecone Pines
Bristlecone pines are remarkable for being the oldest non-clonal species on the planet, and between Cedar City and Brian Head, we have THREE great trails that lead you right to them! Visit Cedar Breaks National Monument to hike the South Rim (formerly Specrat Point) Trail to a stand of ancient Bristlecones. Take a detour to Brian Head to hike the Twisted Forest Trail. Or stop on your scenic drive along Hwy 14 for the easy, pet-friendly, Bristlecone Pine Trail.
Get a glimpse of the Twisted Forest Trail below!
8. Enjoy a Scenic Drive
With national parks all around and stunning scenery in between, it’s no surprise that there are three scenic byways around us! Take a drive on Hwy 14 through Cedar Canyon, experience the scenery, and stop at all the overlooks along Hwy 148 through Cedar Breaks National Monument. Then complete the loop with a drive down Hwy 143 through Parowan Canyon.
Find scenic byways and stops along the way using the image below ↓
9. Explore the Southern Utah Museum of Art
This beautiful state-of-the-art museum hosts FREE exhibitions from around the world, as well as a special collection of work by Utah artists, Jimmie F. Jones. Explore their exhibits hosting up-and-coming artists, established artists, and the beautiful landscapes of Utah.
Stay up to date on upcoming exhibits and events here ↓
10. Weekend Getaway to Brian Head Resort
A lift-serviced mountain bike park, zip-line, archery, alpine slide, and stunning scenery all around. Brian Head Resort and Brian Head town are THE place to be for summer in southern Utah! Explore the backcountry of Dixie National Forest on an OHV ride, hit the trails at the Brian Head Mountain Bike Park, or take place in the summer activities.
Learn more and book your stay ↓
11. Step Back in Time at the Frontier Homestead
Imagine for a moment you’re a stagecoach driver steering his team across the Old Spanish Trail, a pioneer woman crossing the plains in a covered wagon, or a steam shovel operator digging ore in an iron mine. Rather than imagine, why not experience all of this at Cedar City’s own Frontier Homestead State Park Museum, where interactive displays and exhibits bring the early history of Cedar City and Southern Utah to life!
Learn more about the park and plan your visit ↓
12. Disc Golf in Cedar City
Hole in one! There’s nothing like a little disc golf interspersed with your vacation destinations to ensure you leave with great memories and laughter. Cedar City is home to several disc golf courses in three areas; Three Peaks Recreation Area (2 courses), Thunderbird Gardens (1 course), and Parowan Canyon (1 course). These courses all offer a different challenge as the terrain varies greatly between them.
Take a look at the Three Peaks disc golf course in the images below ↓
13. Explore the Art & Murals in Downtown
Local art galleries, vibrant public art installations, statues, and more; downtown Cedar City is bursting with art and historic buildings that we always recommend checking out! Take a stroll down Main Street to see the historic buildings and unique architecture of Cedar City’s past the explore the murals and art galleries along Center Street!
Find a guide to the murals downtown using the link here ↓
14. Hike the Thor’s Hideout Trail
The Thor’s Hideout Trail has some unique rock formations and views along the way. All with a side of that iconic southern Utah red rock. Start the 3.6 mile trail by winding through switchbacks with sweeping views of the surrounding recreation area.
Catch a sneak peek at the unique rock formation on the trail ↓
15. Kickback and Relax at Navajo Lake
This pristine lake was originally known to the Paiute Indians as “Pa-Cu-Ay,” meaning “Cloud Lake.” Early pioneer settlers gave it its present name after a confrontation took place near the lake between the settlers and some traveling members of the Navajo tribe. The Navajo Lake recreation area is located atop Cedar Mountain, approximately 25 miles east of Cedar City.
Learn more and plan your visit ↓
16. Book an OHV Adventure in Brian Head
One of our favorite ways to experience the views and hidden gems around the town of Brian Head? An OHV tour through the backcountry of Dixie National Forest! You can find fun locations like the infamous bus, curious wildlife, and different views of the formations that create Cedar Breaks National Monument on your way out to the High Mountain viewpoint.
Learn more and book a tour ↓
17. Views Worth More Than 5 Stars
Did you know that Utah is home to 21 designated dark sky parks/places? With so much wide-open space around us, Cedar City is fortunate to be home to some of the darkest skies around with our own international dark sky park, Cedar Breaks! Catch a Star Party or rent a telescope and head out to Three Peaks, Parowan Gap, or Iron Springs to see what we’re talking about.
Dark Sky views at Cedar Breaks ↓
18. Mountain Biking at Three Peaks
The Three Peaks Trail system has lots to offer for beginning, intermediate, and advanced riders. Single-track loops of varying lengths, technical rock, and wooden bridges. The trails here are a great way to spend an afternoon and in the valley, they stay open later in the fall than those on the Iron Hills system. They’re even open to fat tire biking in the winter!
Learn more about the trails and plan a visit ↓
19. SUU Campus & Sculpture Stroll
Designed for the culturally-minded and curious at heart, this self-paced walking tour will introduce you to a variety of artifacts that weave our campus together—from fascinating Shakespeare characters to icons from local and global history. The grounds of Southern Utah University are meticulously manicured and beautiful. As the three-time winner of the distinction “University of the Parks,” campus is definitely worth a visit!
Download the map and get started ↓
20. Canyon Park & Coal Creek Walking Trail
Like the name implies, this park is right at the mouth of the canyon split into two sides by the Coal Creek river that runs through town. The east side of the canyon park has a picnic pavilion and playground while the west side has a pavilion, playground, volleyball court, and a little stream that runs through.
The walking trail that cuts through the park winds up the canyon tucked against the iconic red rock hill. This trail is paved for all access and is a great way to check out the landscapes around us!
Find more things to enjoy in Cedar City by browsing our site or send us any questions you have @visitcedarcity
