Family Outings in Cedar Canyon

Need to keep the kids busy while dinner is cooking? Angel's Landing a bit too daunting for the little ones? Only have an hour to kill? Fortunately, there are a variety of fun places within a few minutes of Cedar Canyon Retreat! None of these are complicated enough to need guide books or GPS tracks, but we have information on each one of them in our office.

The CCR Badlands

Our own little Bryce Canyon! A short two minute walk up to an outcrop of Entrada Sandstone (which also forms Goblin Valley and Arches NP), starting from the Cabin driveway or between RV Sites 3 and 4.

Retreat Falls

1/4 mile from Cedar Canyon Retreat

Hidden practically across the street from us is our own waterfall! Actually, this is a dam built in the 1920s to filter sediment from the muddy Coal Creek, although it proved to be far more scenic than useful. Since then, 100 years of erosion has created a second waterfall. A great place to cool off after your summer adventures! Pick up directions in our office.

Coal Creek Trail

4 miles from Cedar Canyon Retreat

Near the mouth of the canyon on the south side of the highway is the beginning of Cedar City's trail network.

On easy paved pathways, you can explore the canyon and Coal Creek (named for the pioneer-era coal mines up the canyon), or continue down for several miles through and around the city.

Red Hollow Trail

4 miles from Cedar Canyon Retreat

Part of a new hiking & mountain biking network built by the BLM, this 1.5 mile (round trip) trail through the Navajo Sandstone near a fault line is like Zion sideways!

The trailhead is on the north side of the highway, between Rusty's and the mouth of the canyon (watch for "the shoe tree"). At the top, continue up the Thor's Lookout trail to the right for even better views.

Serious mountain bikers will notice some great jumps and other technical challenges for the downhill ride.

Bristlecone Trail

15 minutes from Cedar Canyon Retreat

About as easy and pretty as it gets! A 1/2 mile flat loop through a forest to a grove of Bristlecone Pines, among the oldest trees on Earth. Great views of Zion National Park too.

The trailhead is right at the summit of the highway on the right.

Woods Ranch

10 minutes from Cedar Canyon Retreat

A county park just up the canyon, Woods Ranch has a fishing pond during the summer at which kids can fish for free. During the winter, one of the best snow tubing hills in the state is here. It will have snow all winter, even when it melts at the Retreat.

Cascade Falls Trail

30 minutes from Cedar Canyon Retreat

This 1 mile trail leads to one of the most unique waterfalls you will ever see. Water gushes right out of a cave in the side of a cliff and cascades down the mountain.

Follow Highway 14 to the Navajo Lake turnoff. Half a mile down this road is a gravel road on the left, which will take you to the trailhead.

Brian Head Peak

35 minutes from Cedar Canyon Retreat

One of the highest roads in Utah (a 2 mile gravel road only open in summer) takes you the top of Southern Utah's highest mountain, just over 11,000 feet. You'll feel like you're on top of the world!

Alpine Pond Trail, Cedar Breaks NM

25 minutes from Cedar Canyon Retreat

A beautiful nature walk through subalpine forest with frequent views of Cedar Breaks, this can be done as either of two one mile loops or a two mile loop.

A brochure guides you through the plants and animals you'll encounter. The summer wildflowers are especially beautiful.

The trailhead is at the Chessmen Ridge Overlook, 2 miles north of the Visitors Center.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

20 minutes from Cedar Canyon Retreat

Cedar Breaks is often called "Bryce Canyon's Little Sister," but it has its own charm. It's bowl is actually wider and deeper than than the Bryce Amphitheater. It is much less crowded, and you can drive right up to several spectacular viewpoints without any hiking. Our favorite (above): Chessmen Ridge at sunset.