Red Rocks, Canyons, Cycling and More in Cedar City
Red rock canyons, art activities and a year-long events calendar make Cedar City a top-notch place to visit when exploring Utah. This town is just a short drive away from five beautiful areas of recreation, including Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Kolob Canyons and Great Basin. Adventurers love Cedar City for its network of bike paths, which make it easy to explore the area’s terrain of valleys and canyons. From cycling to skiing, read on for expert tips on where to stay and how to play when visiting Cedar City Brian Head, Utah.
Unique Experiences and Not So Typical Adventures in Cedar City
Families with both arts and outdoor lovers can find it tough to land on a destination that makes everyone happy. Fortunately, Cedar City is a haven for the arts that’s also in close proximity to world-class nature, offering something for everyone. Cedar City is known as “festival city” for its frequent parades, the Utah Summer Games and its Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival. Held at the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts in the summer months—which is a paradise worthwhile to explore on its own, with gardens, sculptures and a museum—this live drama event is performed at a repertory theater under the open sky.
Those that want to ski Utah’s powder but avoid the crowds of bigger resorts will love Brian Head Ski Resort. Home to the highest base elevation in the state at more than 150 metres, this large ski resort gets more than nine metres of snowfall a year, ensuring more great ski days than you’ll find elsewhere. These cold, snowy months mean not only day skiing, but also night skiing and snow tubing for people of all ages. If you visit the resort in summer, you can ride the lift to Brian Head Peak and enjoy nearby hiking, mountain biking and a mini zipline.
After skiing, cycling and hiking your way through the town of Cedar City, head to Cedar Breaks National Monument to see southern Utah’s highest International Dark Sky Park. A Dark Sky designation means that the area has some of the least light pollution on Earth, making it easier to see the night sky’s stars and planets (all from an elevation of more than 3,000 metres.) Visit the National Park Service website to see their lineup of free educational events.
Where to Stay in Cedar City
Why stay at an ordinary hotel when you can stay somewhere that connects you with nature?
Just outside of the quaint town of Cedar City you’ll find The Grand Ranch, which has a selection of tiny home accommodations nestled on a farm full of mini highland cows, goats, pigs, donkeys and sheep. This cozy, rustic stay is great for couples, animal-loving adults and families with kids. The Grand Ranch is also a short drive away from Zion, so it’s a great home base for a day of hiking in this national park.
Visiting Cedar City in winter? Check out Brian Head Lodge—a 100-room, resort-style accommodation that offers deals on ski and adventure packages. Comfortable and budget-friendly, Brian Head Lodge has pools, a hot tub, a game room, a fitness center and a selection of rooms complete with fireplaces.
Where to Eat in Cedar City
Exploring the national parks and natural beauty of Cedar City and Brian Head can certainly work up an appetite. Delicious food, stunning views and decades of Utah history all await at Milt’s Stage Stop, a roadside restaurant and steakhouse with full bar service. Here, you can scan a menu made with meat from Dry Lakes Beef, a local ranch that is committed to raising healthy, high-quality and humanely handled animals. Favourites include deep fried zucchini, New York strip, Australian rock lobster and the white chocolate raspberry cheesecake.
Learn more and plan your stay to this adventurous Utah destination by visiting Cedar City’s official website.
This article was sponsored by Visit Cedar City Brian Head
Cedar City & Brian Head celebrate a unique balance of outdoor adventure and the arts. We offer world-class cultural attractions alongside Utah’s famous Mighty Five© National Parks. Known as “Festival City, USA” we play host to a plethora of events year-round from free music festivals, parades and more! Our Historic Downtown is lined with local shops and eateries offering “urban-esque” cuisine. Explore Cedar City & Brian Head and find that there’s always something new to discover in our vibrant and welcoming community.
