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Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument is situated close to I-15 near Cedar City. It includes a bowl-shaped, steep cliff face battered into the west side of the Markagunt Plateau. This Monument has colorful rock strata and strange rock shapes, and is, in fact, very similar to the Bryce Canyon National Park.

One can access the Cedar Breaks National Monument from four directions via  UT 143 in the north and UT 14 that continues to US 89 at Long Valley Junction. The scenic drive through the Monument reaches the pinnacle, located at an elevation of 10,400 feet (3170 m).  However, this route is closed during winter, that is, between November and April.

The Monument offers several dramatic views further westwards, extending to the Nevada Desert on clear days. The Alpine-like meadows on the plateau are filled with vibrantly colored wild flowers during summer and spring. A small campground is situated near Point Supreme.

Only limited opportunities for hiking are available in the Cedar Breaks National Monument for there are absolutely no trails down the cliff face. However, a number of short trails running along the rim and cutting through pine forests lead to several alternative viewpoints.

There are two major trails within the national monument, one trail along the rim and another one through the woodland to a secluded pond. The former is a 2 mile (3.2 km) hike and is known as the Spectra Point/Ramparts Overlook. The latter is the Alpine Ponds Trail, which has no major viewpoints of the formations but has several trees, meadows, flowers, and wildlife en route.  

The Rattlesnake Creek lies beyond the north edge of the monument and descends down into the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness, an isolated region centered on a steep limestone ravine. This route has copious wildflowers along the path. It also offers intermittent far-away views of the Cedar Breaks cliffs, finally descending into the red rock formations. The nearby town with hotels close to the Cedar Breaks National Monument is the Cedar City.

Top 5 National Parks

1. Great Smoky Mountains
2. Grand Canyon
3. Yosemite
4. Olympic
   
5. Yellowstone

All 58 national parks.