Cedar City
Things to Do
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History and Culture
You may know Cedar City for its lineup of lively Festival City events, but the area offers many stories to be explored about the region’s Native and settler history.
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Camping
Camping near Cedar City is a nature lover's dream, with numerous sites in Dixie National Forest, Three Peaks Recreation Area and BLM lands. Pitch your tent among towering pines or beneath the starry skies of Southern Utah’s dark sky parks. Enjoy the serenity of the great outdoors, where hiking, mountain biking and breathtaking views are just steps away from your campsite.
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Hiking
Hiking near Cedar City offers access to stunning landscapes, from the Dixie National Forest to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Trails cater to all levels and showcase Southern Utah’s unique red rock formations and desert ecosystems. Hikes in the area promise memorable views and unforgettable experiences.
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Mountain Biking
Mountain biking in Cedar City provides thrilling rides for all skill levels. Ride through the diverse terrain of Dixie National Forest and Three Peaks Recreation Area, where you'll encounter everything from challenging red rock landscapes to scenic forest paths.
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Skiing
Skiing in Cedar City means access to premier slopes at Brian Head Resort, just a short drive away. Enjoy a variety of runs suitable for all skill levels, set against the stunning backdrop of snow-dusted red rock hoodoos and evergreen forests.
Local Highlights
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Arts & Culture
There are year-round opportunities to experience this vibrant arts community. For art museums, check out the the Southern Utah Museum of Art and take a stroll through the Stillman and Shakespeare Sculpture Gardens. For performing arts, look up the events calendar for the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts or the Heritage Theatre.
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Brian Head Resort
It's just 40 minutes from Cedar City to Brian Head Resort where you'll have access to outdoor adventure on premier downhill slopes no matter the season. After a full day of exploring, you will have definitely earned a stop at a nearby spa. The terracotta-colored hoodoos made famous by Bryce Canyon creep in near Brian Head, where summer and winter adventure at elevation is as varied as Southern Utah's singular geology. From disc golf and scenic lift rides or hikes, to heart-pumping, downhill mountain biking and skiing, this is a resort you have to experience in the summer and winter.
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National Forest & Public Lands
In the expansive Dixie National Forest there are plenty of public lands and designated wilderness areas to help get you off the beaten path. Three Peaks is a recently developed recreation area encompassing BLM lands for picnicking, camping, mountain biking and off-road fun.
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National Parks
Cedar City has long billed itself as "gateway to Utah's National Parks." One excellent travel itinerary is to follow the loop from Cedar City, southeast to Zion National Park, then north to Bryce Canyon National Park and then back through Cedar Breaks National Monument to Cedar City. This tour of Utah’s top parks is not a trip that you should schedule for one day, however: two is doable, three is ideal and four is a bonus.
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Neil Simon Festival
The Neil Simon Festival celebrates the works of America's greatest comedic playwright, featuring three of Simon's 38 plays each season, which runs mid-July through mid-August.
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Shakespeare Festival
Utah's premier theatrical event each year is the Tony Award®-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival at Southern Utah University. Every summer and fall, thousands converge in Cedar City to participate in renaissance festivities and see three Shakespearean productions.
Hike Kanarraville Canyon Falls
A stunning slot canyon with one of the most photographed waterfalls in Utah. Kanarraville Canyon provides travelers with an approachable slot canyon experience as beautiful and awesome as any other, without the need for technical gear or training.
What's Nearby
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Bryce Canyon National Park
An alpine forest with as many red rock hoodoos as trees. At dawn and dusk, mule deer graze the forested plateau along the road into Bryce Canyon.
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Cedar Breaks National Monument
Cedar Breaks National Monument, 23 miles east of Cedar City, offers a stunning red rock amphitheater, scenic hiking and exceptional stargazing.
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Dixie National Forest
This forest stretches for 170 miles across southern Utah. Visitors can experience its brilliant red spires and cliffs by car or by hiking one of the nature trails in the canyon.
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Kolob Canyons
Sometimes it’s nice to enjoy "America’s Best Idea" in solitude. Utah’s got you covered there — look no further than the Kolob Canyons corridor of Zion National Park.
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Quail Creek State Park
Quail Creek State Park welcomes day-trippers and overnighters to boat, camp, fish or paddleboard at Quail Creek Reservoir.
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Brian Head Resort
Surrounded by contrasting evergreen spruce and aspen, Brian Head Resort boasts the highest base among Utah's resorts, and is the only ski and snowboard resort to showcase snow-dusted red rock hoodoos from the nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Stories To Inspire Your Travel
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Exploring the Cultural Vistas of Cedar City
Visitors expect to find stunning views, yet sophisticated cultural offerings continue to surprise art lovers as they discover this rural outpost.
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How to Attend a Powwow with Respect
Attending a powwow can be a very meaningful endeavor. Here are five tips to help you prepare.
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Heritage and History: Exploring Native and Settler History in a Town Known for Celebrations
You may know Cedar City for its lineup of lively Festival City events, but the area offers many stories to be explored about the region’s Native and settler history.
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Utah’s Unexpected Pit Stops
You’re doing it wrong if you think road trip pit stops are boring layovers on your way to more exciting destinations. How many of these hidden gems have you been to? Here are 11 mini-adventures to check off your list next time you’re road-tripping through Utah.
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A Quick and Dirty Guide to Brian Head Area Mountain Biking
Whether you’re visiting the area for Brian Head’s seemingly endless bike options or making it part of a multi-stop Southern Utah adventure (Cedar Breaks National Monument is just five miles away), it’s a must-see for bikers of all abilities. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
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A Van Lifer’s Guide to Responsible Travel in Southern Utah
When Utah’s dirt roads are calling you, it’s time to plan your van life road trip. Here’s what you need to know to travel safely, support Utah’s rural communities, and help preserve the delicate desert landscapes.
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A Winter’s Desert: Visiting Southern Utah in the Slow Months
Experiencing the peace of canyon country in the winter is an attraction of its own.
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Hike Among Traces of the Ancients at the Mysterious Parowan Gap
See an impressive number of panels covered in petroglyphs. Some people believe that the Gap was considered a special place at certain times.
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Utah’s Artists Say: 'The Arts Will Help Us Heal'
Arts organizations have reopening ambitions to match the mountains.
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A High Elevation Southern Utah Mountain Bike Adventure
Mountain biking in Southern Utah usually inspires visions of red rock destinations such as Moab and St. George. But as the heat of summer kicks in and the triple digit temps become more frequent, heading south to ride may seem out of reach. Fear not my friend, as there are some riding destinations within Southern Utah, where the elevation will keep you cool.
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8 Utah Hikes for Leaf Peeping and Natural Splendor
When the leaves change, road trips through Utah’s mountains and forests take on a colorful new glow. Unlike their well-trodden counterparts on the East Coast, Utah’s fall foliage and trails are less well known among the broader leaf-peeping community.
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Dog-Friendly Utah: The Road to Mighty
Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Check it out and plan your trip!
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24 Hours in Cedar City
A unique small town, Cedar City is a perfect place to stop on your journey to natural wonders such as Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.
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Historical Sites in Utah
Explore Utah's fascinating past with our guide to historical sites and hidden gems. Uncover pioneer and indigenous stories at these Utah heritage hot spots.
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Knobby Tired Nomads: Bikepacking the Utah High Country
If you’re into bikepacking, Utah is a place you’ll want to check out. Read about a self-supported tour of Utah’s backcountry here, and start planning your trip.
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A Visitor's Guide to Zion's Kolob Canyons
In the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, you’ll find a scenic wonderland with an adventure for everyone. Learn more about this unforgettable attraction and plan a visit.
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15 Non-Technical Slot Canyons
You don’t have to be Spider-Man to explore some of the best slot canyons Utah has to offer. You just need to be ready for an adventure in tight spaces with huge photographic rewards
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Cedar City to Cedar City 90-Mile Cycling Loop
The 90-mile Cedar City loop is one of Utah’s most challenging and scenic bike routes. Learn all about the route and plan your ride today!
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Cedar City Scene: Centro Woodfired Pizza and The Grind
Right downtown on Center Street, just off Main Street in Cedar City, Utah, and within walking distance to everything, lies the famed Centro Woodfired Pizzeria. (The Grind Coffee House is just around the corner.)
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A Confluence of Pioneer and Native American Heritage in Southwestern Utah
Home to the historical Iron Mission, Cedar City’s rich pioneer heritage is encapsulated at the Frontier Homestead State Park Museum.
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A Party of Astronomic Proportions
Every Saturday from May through Labor Day weekend, weather dependent, crowds ranging from 100 to 500 people gather at Cedar Break’s main overlook, Point Supreme, to gaze up at the region’s amazing dark skies and explore the stars and the planets that make up the solar system.
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Utah at 15 mph
When it comes to family bike tours, Utah is tough to beat. Learn how to plan a family-friendly bike tour and see what this state has to offer!
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A Journey Through Utah’s Contemporary Artscapes
Consider visual art attractions as you’re planning your Beehive State travel itinerary.
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Top Ski Towns in Utah
The best ski towns in Utah tout easy access to The Greatest Snow on Earth®, along with lively culture, fine dining and off-mountain activities.
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Red Rock, Rock ’n’ Roll and Ribs
Planning a great weekend getaway? Utah’s Brian Head Resort is smokin’. Come play in the snow, party like a local, and chow down on Big John’s KC-style BBQ.
