To escape the scorching St. George heat, neighboring Iron County offers three outdoor recreation areas for mountain retreats. With elevations around 10,000 feet and average high temperatures in the upper 70s, all you need is a little sun protection and your desired itinerary for outdoor fun.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Referred to by some as a “mini Bryce Canyon,” Cedar Breaks is two miles south of Brian Head and offers breathtaking views of natural rock formations and woodlands that attract more than 500,000 visitors annually.
Hikers of all abilities will enjoy the paved, Sunset trail, situated along the rim with scenic overlooks. Another favorite is the Alpine Pond trail that leads down to a hidden wooded area. Wildflower enthusiasts can pick up a Wildflower Festival map and watch for the variety of foliage at these higher elevations. For stargazers, Cedar Breaks is an International Dark Sky Park with ranger-guided dark sky events and telescopes to enjoy.
Entrance fees are $10 a person or free for National Park annual passholders. Plan your trip at
visitcedarcity.com/cedar-breaks-hiking.
Brian Head Town and Resort
Brian Head offers something for everyone: the hiker, the mountain biker and the adrenaline seeker. Bikers can enjoy more than 200 miles of backcountry and downhill trails accessible through local shuttle companies with round-trip service. At the resort, bikers can ride the chairlift on weekends to experience exhilarating trails with ups, downs, jumps, bank turns and freestyle elements. The resort also offers trails for all experience levels and other activities, including the zip line, disc golf, bungee trampoline, a climbing wall, chairlift ride and alpine tubing.
To take in the off-highway scenery surrounding Brian Head and the broader Dixie National Forest, Utah ATV Rentals can outfit you with a vehicle and trail maps that include local favorites along the way to the High Mountain Viewpoint, looking into Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Summers get busy, so book in advance. For resort information, visit brianhead.com. For ATV rentals, visit utahatvrentals.com. For all things hiking, see visitcedarcity.com/hiking-brian-head-dixie-national-forest.
Navajo Lake
Situated approximately 25 miles east of Cedar City atop Cedar Mountain, Navajo Lake offers hiking and mountain bike trails, camping, fishing and water recreation, with boating and swimming among the popular activities. You can rent paddle boards, kayaks and the like from outfitters in Cedar City or nearby Duck Creek to maximize your fun on the lake.
Bike or hike portions of the 12-mile Navajo Loop trail, hike the Cascade Falls trail with red rock views or explore the lava beds and caves. Explore all there is to do at visitcedarcity.com/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/recreation-areas.
When evening temperatures drop into the 50s, relax with an evening of live theater at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. The 2022 season features eight plays in four theaters and the complementary “Greenshow” nightly at 7:30.
