Free Snowshoe Walks And Other Activities At Cedar Breaks

Join park rangers at http://utah.com/nationalsites/cedar_breaks.htm for free guided snowshoe walks on Saturdays through the end of February. Snowshoes will be provided for those that need them. The park is located in the tops of the mountains east of Cedar City. It provided these details:

Meet at the Iron County/Cedar City Visitor Center (581 North Main Street, Cedar City) at 9:30 am or in Brian Head at 10:15 am at Brian Head Town Hall. Registration is required; call 435-586-9451 to register and reserve snowshoes (no cost) for the walk. Click here to view the poster. NOTE: This event is dependent upon good weather!

Cedar Breaks is located at a high elevation and gets heavy snowfall. If offers an enjoyable winter season full of activities that usually stretch into mid-March. The park provided these details about its regular winter schedule:

Visit spectacular Cedar Breaks National Monument in winter by snowmobile, cross country skis or snowshoes. Stop by the Winter Ranger Station on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the winter. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate, learn about the park from friendly park rangers and volunteer staff, and experience the amazing solitude and supreme winter landscape. Note that winter season opening and closing, as well as Winter Ranger Station staffing dates, may be slightly earlier or later and are subject to favorable weather conditions. For more information, call 435-586-9451.

The park has released information about upcoming summer activities:

May 24, 2013: Cedar Breaks National Monument Summer Season Opens

Visitor facilities open and scheduled interpretive activities begin, including Ranger-led hikes, geology programs, special events, and much more! Call 435-586-9451, 435-586-0787 to verify opening dates and for more detailed information.

June 7, 2013:Cedar Breaks National Monument Campground Opens

Enjoy spectacular camping at 10,000 feet elevation. Our 26-site campground offers tent and RV camping, restrooms, and showers. Certain sites are "first come, first served" while others may be reserved online at www.recreation.gov. Reservations may be made up to six months in advance with the last date available for reservation being August 31, 2013. Note the opening date for the campground is weather-dependent. Call 435-586-0787 for more details and to confirm opening dates and campfire program information.

Saturday Nights, July 6 - August 31, 2013: Cedar Breaks National Monument Star Parties

To celebrate and share the beauty of our dark night skies, Cedar Breaks will be hosting a series of Star Parties. Star Parties will be held at the Point Supreme Overlook on Saturday nights beginning July 6 through August 31. A constellation tour and telescope viewing through several large telescopes will be facilitated by park staff and astronomy volunteers. Visitors who have their own telescopes are invited to bring them to the Star Party.

In addition to the Saturday night events, Full Moon Star Parties will occur on June 23, July 22, and August 21. A night hike will be offered in addition to the regular Star Party activities. The spectacular annual Perseids meteor shower will also be highlighted with Star Party activities on August 12. Activities will begin at 9:30 pm in June and July and 9 pm during August. Call 435-586-0787 for more detailed dates and information. NOTE: These events are dependent upon good weather!

Summary of Star Party Dates:

June 23 (Full Moon)

July 6, 13, 20, 22 (Full Moon), 27

August 3, 10, 12 (Perseids), 17, 21 (Full Moon), 24, 31

July 6 - July 21, 2013: Cedar Breaks National Monument 7th Annual Wildflower Festival

The park's meadows explode with color as a diversity of high country wildflowers burst into full bloom. Wildflower specialists and volunteers will lead daily guided walks during the festival at 10 am and 1 pm. Festival highlights include special activities and workshops on weekends and Zion Canyon Field Institute Classes. Call 435-586-0787 for more detailed information.

August 22-25, 2013: Cedar Breaks National Monument Stories of the Past Festival and Park Anniversary Celebration

This year's events will focus on indigenous cultures, including the Southern Paiutes, and their history and connection to the park and the region. Go on a self-guided walk along the campground trail and view interpretive signs to learn more about this important story. At 12 pm, Sunday, August 25, the park's 80th anniversary will be celebrated with birthday cake and a reading of the proclamation that created Cedar Breaks National Monument. Call 435-586-0787 for more detailed information.

September 28-29, 2013: Cedar Breaks National Monument Fall Nature Festival

The fall season brings bursts of color and energy to the high mountain country. USA Today described Cedar Breaks National Monument and the surrounding area as "one of the top ten places to experience fall colors" in the United States. Special events include activities, workshops, and more. We will also celebrate National Public Lands Day, a fee-free day, on Saturday, September 28, with a volunteer service opportunity. Call 435-586-0787 for more detailed information.