Hiking Cedar Mountain Recreation Area

Price

Overview

( Rated 4.0 / 1 Ratings )

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RATING: Roadside Attraction / Easy Hike

LENGTH: 1+ hours

MAPS: BOB HILL KNOLL, UT

Sun

70 | 53

Mon

63 | 50

Tue

65 | 48

Wed

68 | 51

Thu

69 | 52

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SEASON: Any. Road can be impassable if there is much snow.

WATER: None

Sun

70 | 53

Mon

63 | 50

Tue

65 | 48

Wed

68 | 51

Thu

69 | 52

View Full Weather Details

roadside

hike

dog friendly

family friendly

beginner

access: 2wd

Panorama from the Cedar Mountain Recreation Area Viewpoint

Cedar Mountain, just north of the San Rafael Swell, is one of the must do overlooks for San Rafael aficionados. The mountain is an uplift of conglomerate and sandstone rock that offers some of the best views in the area. From the viewpoint on top, much of the northern San Rafael Swell is visible, as well as such prominent San Rafael Swell features as Window Blind Peak and Mexican Mountain. Off in the distance, on a cloudless day, the La Sal Mountains (about 90 miles away) and the Henry Mountains (about 70 miles away) are also visible. It is an excellent spot to take in the grandeur of the Swell and surrounding areas.

We went for the view from the viewpoint, but the recreation area is also the site of a fantastic picnic area and short trail. The picnic area is tucked into the cracks and crevices of large conglomerate boulders that were created when the mountain was pushed up from below. The picnic area is an absolute playground for kids with its passages and maze-like feel. I must admit, I enjoyed spending an afternoon exploring the area as much as our four-year-old!

The picnic area is also the site of a short trail that meanders along the rim before descending to the base of the top layers of rock and following the base back past a fossilized tree.

Note: There is a pit toilet at the picnic area, but no garbage collection or water. Though there is not an official campground on Cedar Mountain, there are many excellent primitive sites off the main road as you drive up to the viewpoint.

Cedar Mountain Recreation Area

Getting There

There are many dirt roads to get to Cedar Mountain! Described below is what is the most straightforward to describe.

From Price, head south on UT-10 toward Huntington for about 10 miles to UT-155 (signed Cleveland). Follow UT-155 for 6.1 miles to the center of the small town of Cleveland.

Reset your odometer at the intersection of Main and Center streets, and continue straight on Center Street heads south then turns to dirt. ( 12S 512764mE 4355490mN / N39° 20' 56" W110° 51' 07" )
1.5 miles - Junction, go left. (east) ( 12S 513037mE 4353107mN / N39° 19' 38" W110° 50' 55" )
1.8 miles - Junction - Go right (south) ( 12S 513464mE 4352921mN / N39° 19' 32" W110° 50' 38" )
5.3 miles - 4-way junction, stay straight. ( 12S 515941mE 4348934mN / N39° 17' 23" W110° 48' 55" )
19.6 miles - Side road on the right to the viewpoint. ( 12S 531199mE 4336439mN / N39° 10' 36" W110° 38' 20" )
20.4 miles - Cedar Mountain Picnic Area on the right. ( 12S 532234mE 4336089mN / N39° 10' 24" W110° 37' 37" )

Ruby and Abby heading out to the viewpoint

Enjoying the craggy maze at the picnic area.

Route

The viewpoint is a short walk that has excellent views and an informational sign pointing out the major landmarks.

Continuing up the road from the first viewpoint is the Picnic Area on the right. It has a pit toilet and a small parking area. A trail and steep set of metal stairs lead down into the maze-like area interspersed with picnic tables. It is a fun area to explore.

At the top, just before the stairs, the Fossil Ledge Trail leaves on the right. This trail goes to a viewpoint, then continues past a picnic table along the rim heading west. It soon descends to the base of the small cliff and follows the cliff base back to the picnic area and base of the stairs.