Cedar City and Cedar Breaks by motorcycle
Cedar City sits on I-15 between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, just north of Zion's Kolob Canyons. Ride east out of town and you climb onto the Markagunt Plateau, through pine and aspen to Cedar Breaks, a red rock amphitheater on a rim above 10,000 feet. When the desert around Zion is baking in July, this is where you go to cool off.
Scenic Byway 14: Cedar City to Long Valley Junction
- About 40.5 miles, from Cedar City at 5,850 ft to Long Valley Junction on US-89 at 7,620 ft (UDOT Zion area). It is the Markagunt High Plateau Scenic Byway (Wikipedia SR-14).
- Climbs about 4,390 ft and tops out near 9,900 ft before it rolls and drops to US-89 (UDOT Zion area). Allow about an hour for the ride (UDOT Zion area).
- Steep grades and sharp curves on the climb out of Cedar Canyon: big trucks and wide loads are restricted (Wikipedia SR-14). Good for a bike, but watch for gravel in the corners.
- On the way: the turn-off north on UT-148 to Cedar Breaks, about 18 miles from Cedar City, then Navajo Lake and Duck Creek Village further east (Wikipedia SR-14).
- At the east end you meet US-89, the road between Zion's east side, Kanab and Bryce: see Zion to Bryce.
Cedar Breaks National Monument (UT-148)
- Over 10,000 feet (NPS Cedar Breaks conditions). Much cooler than the desert below: bring a warm layer even in summer.
- Seasonal road: UT-148 through the monument closes to vehicles because of snow, from mid-November to mid-May on average. UT-143 at the north end stays open almost year-round (NPS Cedar Breaks conditions). Check the conditions page before you ride up in spring or fall.
- Fee: $20 per motorcycle, from the 2024 fee change; vehicles are $25 and a Cedar Breaks annual pass is $45 (NPS Cedar Breaks news, 2024). Check the fee before you go.
- Stops: Point Supreme Overlook (also where the park holds star parties), and the Alpine Pond and Spectra Point trails (Visit Southern Utah).
- Visitor center is closed each year from mid-October to late May (NPS Cedar Breaks conditions), so bring water and food.
Kolob Canyons, next door
Zion's quieter section is a short ride south of Cedar City on I-15. Exit, fee and the scenic road are on our Las Vegas to Zion guide.
Ways to ride it
- Cool-weather day out from Zion: Springdale to Kolob Canyons on I-15, Cedar City, up UT-14 to Cedar Breaks and back (estimate: a full day).
- The high road to Bryce: Cedar City, UT-14 over the plateau to US-89, then north to Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon.
- Coming up from Las Vegas: stay on I-15 past the Zion turn-offs to Cedar City and start the plateau ride from there (Las Vegas to Zion).
- From St. George: Snow Canyon and SR-18 north first, then I-15 to Cedar City. St. George and Snow Canyon.
Before you ride
- Fuel in Cedar City; there is little on the plateau.
- Afternoon storms build quickly at this height in summer, and snow can come early in fall (UDOT Zion area).
- Rules for visiting riders (helmets, eye protection, lane filtering): Riding in Utah.
Rent a bike
Booking opens soon. Until then, use the ride guides to plan your trip.