Cedar Breaks National Monument

Hike the South Rim Trail

The South Rim Trail is the a moderate to hard trail, featuring several different scenic viewpoints.

Bartizan

At the end of the South Rim Trail, visitors reach the Bartizan, elevation 9,725ft, along the park's southern boundary. From the Bartizan hikers can see two spectacular arches and at the right time of year a waterfall is visible. Visitors should use extreme caution on the South Rim Trail and at Spectra Point as many area feature steep drop-off just off the trail. There are no railings at the Bartizan, visitors should remain back from the edge as the ground can be unstable. Dogs are not permitted on the South Rim Trail. NOTE: The final portion of the South Rim Trail is currently being reconstructed, this portion will not be open until Summer 2021.

Chessmen Ridge Overlook

Overlooking Chessmen Ridge, this overlook is centrally located on the rim overlooking the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater. It is the highest elevation overlook in the park at 10,461ft and offers stunning views of the ridge and surrounding formations. The overlook features one of the larger parking lots and can be used to access a bristlecone pine grove and the Alpine Pond Loop Trail by the Chessmen Ridge Spur Trail beginning at the overlook parking lot. The area is open year-round, but access does vary throughout the year depending upon weather. Once the park road is closed to vehicle access (normally in November each year), the overlook is only accessible by snowshoe, cross-country skies, or snowmobiles.

Cedar Breaks Information Center

Due to construction of the park's new Visitor Contact Station during the 2021-2024 seasons, the Point Supreme Overlook will be completely blocked from visitor access. The park has moved visitor services to other areas of the park to address visitor needs during these seasons. Rangers are staffing the Information Center which is located at the southern end of the park. The Information Center is on the east side of Rim Road. At this Information Center, visitors can speak with a ranger, pay their entrance fee, purchase an interagency park pass, pick up a junior ranger program, visit the park store, and get their passport stamped.  Park Store The park store is in the same building as the Information Center (southeast of Point Supreme) and will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ranger Programs Park rangers will be offering public programs daily. For specific information, including starting locations and time, on daily programming visit the calendar page or stop by the information center or booth in the park. Programs will be posted online one month in advance. Restrooms The vault toilets at the Picnic Area will be open for visitor use. The restrooms at Point Supreme will be closed for the duration of the 2021-2024 seasons. Portable toilets will be added to the Information Center (southeast of Point Supreme) and North View Overlook in mid-June. Please plan ahead when traveling to the park. NOTE: Campground restrooms are for registered campers only.

North View Overlook

The northern-most scenic overlook at the national monument, North View is located just inside the north entrance along Highway 143. The overlook features a large parking lot and interpretive waysides. The overlook is accessible by private vehicles. The area is open year-round, but access does vary throughout the year depending upon weather. Utah Department of Transportation clears Highway 143 during daylight hours in the winter season, though the overlook parking lot is not cleared. During the winter, the overlook can be accessed by snowshoes or cross-country skies.

Point Supreme Overlook

Since its establishment in 1933, Point Supreme Overlook has served as the primary scenic viewpoint for visitors to the rim of the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater. From this point, at 10,350ft, visitors can see the incredible formations created by the weathering and erosion over thousands of years. As the primary overlook, this point offers several visitor services including a restroom, information booth, park store, and public programming. These services are available during the summer season, traditionally between June and September each year. The overlook is accessible by private vehicles from a small parking lot. The area is always open, but access does vary throughout the year depending upon weather. Once the park road is closed to vehicle access (normally in November each year), the overlook is only accessible by snowshoe, cross-country skies, or snowmobiles.

Ramparts

At the 2-mile point along the South Rim Trail, hikers reach the Ramparts, elevation 9,952ft. From the Ramparts hikers can experience the southern side of the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater from a unique and rewarding perspective. Visitors should use extreme caution on the South Rim Trail and at Ramparts as many areas feature steep drop-off just off the trail. There are no railings at the Ramparts, visitors should remain back from the edge as the ground can be unstable. Dogs are not permitted on the South Rim Trail.

Spectra Point

At the 1-mile point along the South Rim Trail, a short spur trail connects to this incredible viewpoint. From Spectra Point, elevation 10,285ft, hikers can see arches, windows, and hoodoos within the Cedar Breaks Amphitheater. At the intersection of the South Rim Trail and the Spectra Point Spur Trail is a large grove of bristlecone pines. Visitors should use extreme caution on the South Rim Trail and at Spectra Point as many areas feature steep drop-off just off the trail. Visitors to Spectra Point should remain behind the railing provided. Dogs are not permitted on the South Rim Trail.

Sunset View Overlook

This small overlook is just a mile north of the Point Supreme Overlook, this area can be accessed by the Sunset Trail or a small roadside parking area. The overlook faces directly west and is a favorite of plein-air artists. The Civilian Conservation Corps camp was located near this overlook during the 1930s when they constructed many of the visitor facilities and amenities in the park today. The area is open year-round, but access does vary throughout the year depending upon weather. Once the park road is closed to vehicle access (normally in November each year), the overlook is only accessible by snowshoe, cross-country skies, or snowmobiles.

Cedar Breaks Visitor Center

Start your visit at the Cedar Breaks Visitor Center! Here, you can talk with a ranger, pay your entrance fee, pick up a Junior Ranger activity booklet, buy a park pass, browse the gift shop, and get a new stamp for your park passport. Just up the path from the Visitor Center is a historic log cabin built in 1937. Once used as our Information Center, this building now features a self-guided display about the people who have called this area home. Stop in and explore the human history of Cedar Breaks!

NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah

SW CA Condor Update – 2020-02

World CA Condor Update - 2016 Population Status

World CA Condor Update - 2017

World CA Condor Update - 2018

SW CA Condor Update - 2017-01 (January)

Chessman Canyon Fire Provided Resource Benefit at Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument Designated as an International Dark Sky Park

The Civilian Conservation Corps at Cedar Breaks

About The Southern Paiute

The Civilian Conservation Corps

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