Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Utah Brian Head Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Erosion and various mineral deposits give this striking canyon its distinct color and soft appearance.

Brian Head, Utah

Added By
Alan Newman
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Cedar Breaks National Monument   Marc Everette
Cedar Breaks National Monument   Bob Palin
Cedar Breaks National Monument   Michael Gäbler
  slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Hoodoos.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
  color flow / Atlas Obscura User
Alpine Pond, a small sag pond near the crest of the Breaks.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
A storm over the Breaks.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
  color flow / Atlas Obscura User
  color flow / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Cedar Breaks is geographically close and geologically similar to Bryce Canyon. However, this glorious canyon is less famous and the least visited of the two, which may be better for the health of the monument.

The geological similarities between the two are striking and almost identical, except that Cedar Breaks maintains an increased erosion rate. This increased level of erosion gives the Cedar Breaks a softer tone and appearance. The amphitheater is over three miles across and about 2,000 feet deep. The amazing colored bands are created from the various deposits of iron and manganese in consort. The name of the monument derived from the misidentification of the region's juniper trees. The region was declared a National Monument by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1933.

There was once a small lodge at the monument, designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood. However, it was controversially closed and demolished in 1972 after it was deemed "uneconomical to operate."

The campground at Cedar Breaks is one of the very few "dark skies parks" in the world. Its altitude and remoteness make it the ideal location for stargazing. There are numerous hiking trails around the site, with varying degrees of difficulty both along the rim and within the amphitheater. 

Related Tags

National Monument Geology Rock Formations Nature

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

slgwv, color flow

  • slgwv
  • color flow

Published

March 13, 2020

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Cedar Breaks National Monument
Brian Head, Utah, 84719
United States
37.635954, -112.845025

Nearby Places

Cascade Falls

Duck Creek Village, Utah

miles away

Nellie Pucell Unthank Memorial

Cedar City, Utah

miles away

Maurice Graham Monument

Springdale, Utah

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Utah

Utah

United States

Places 155
Stories 29

Nearby Places

Cascade Falls

Duck Creek Village, Utah

miles away

Nellie Pucell Unthank Memorial

Cedar City, Utah

miles away

Maurice Graham Monument

Springdale, Utah

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Utah

Utah

United States

Places 155
Stories 29

Related Stories and Lists

You’ve Never Seen Stars Like This: Underneath Utah’s Mind-Blowing Night Skies

List

Sponsored by Visit Utah

Related Places

  • Mexican Hat

    Mexican Hat, Utah

    Mexican Hat

    This balancing rock is one of Utah's most unusual geological formations.

  • The Arch

    Ajo, Arizona

    Arch Canyon Trail

    A strenuous, unofficial trail leads to spectacular views in one of America's most remote national monuments.

  • Halldórsskora (Elephant Rock)

    Heimaey, Iceland

    Halldórsskora (Elephant Rock)

    On an island south of Iceland, a large volcanic rock formation resembles an elephant.

  • Shiprock

    Palm Springs, California

    Shiprock, Palm Springs

    A 250 million-year-old rock formation has earned a rather unique nickname.

  • Gành Đá Dĩa

    Phú Hòa, Vietnam

    Gành Đá Dĩa

    This unique formation is characterized by hexagonal basalt rocks stacked in unique formations.

  • The Goblin Colony

    Ponderosa, New Mexico

    The Goblin Colony

    On the edge of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, these rock formations create an eerie landscape.

  • Kisapáti, Hungary

    The Basalt Organ

    Take a hike to this unique rock formation formed by lava flows.

  • Looking Glass Rock seen from the Looking Glass Rock Overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway

    Brevard, North Carolina

    Looking Glass Rock

    This granite rock face is named for the magnificent reflection that occurs when the sun hits it just right.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.