This question seems like a very straight-forward question to ask. If you’re a tourist looking to visit Cedar Breaks National Monument, you naturally want to know when the monument is open. Today, that’s what we’re talking about.
Does Cedar Breaks Close?
This seems a natural question to preface the topical question with. After all, if Cedar Breaks National Monument doesn’t close, then there’s no need to ask when it opens. The answer would be that it remains open. Indeed, this is actually the case. Cedar Breaks stays open all year, even in the winter.
Why Ask the Question?
If indeed, Cedar Breaks National Monument stays open all year, why do we ask this question? There is a good reason. If you don’t already know, the monument is located in the mountains above 10,000 feet. It’s on a state highway, but quite a ways away from the closest interstate highway (I-15). This means that Cedar Breaks is subject to the harsh mountain winter weather which such an elevation exposes it to. Snowfall and road accessibility is a valid seasonal concern.
Indeed, if the snow is too deep, then the state will close off access to the roads which will take you up to Cedar Breaks. Every winter, Utah State Highway 148 (the road through the park) is closed. This means you cannot drive a traditional vehicle into the monument. However, if there’s enough snow, you might consider using a snowmobile to access the area.
Is Cedar Breaks Really Open if the Road is Closed?
Yes it is. Just because the state closes off the highway doesn’t mean that the monument is closed too. The park rangers staff an entrance booth all winter. They offer snowshoeing and dark sky viewing activities. Indeed, you can still enjoy Cedar Breaks National Monument during the winter, even with the road closed. Just make sure that you check with the park bulletin itself just in case things are different.
When Will Highway 148 Reopen?
As you now know that it’s not Cedar Breaks itself but Utah Highway 148 which closes for the winter, you might naturally ask a new question. You might now ask when the 148 will reopen. That’s a good question. For that answer, we must turn to the state of Utah instead of the National Parks Service. Here’s what Utah has to say through Udot.
UDOT closes the following roads through the winter, typically November through May or June, depending on the weather.
- […several irrelevant-to-this-discussion highways omitted…]
- SR-148 Cedar Breaks National Monument (east of Cedar City)
This answer is clear. The state of Utah will keep the 148 closed until May or June, when they can expect the worst of the snow and ice melted away with warmer weather. However, if you’re reading this between the months of November and May, then you might want to check on Cedar Breaks National Monument’s social media accounts to learn when the road reopens.
Conclusion
The question of when Cedar Breaks National Monument will open is not the right question to ask. Cedar Breaks is open all year (24/7/365). However the state highway (148) passing through the monument closes for the winter. Utah typically closes the 148 between the months of November and May or June, depending upon weather.
Indeed, you can still visit Cedar Breaks all winter as long as you are willing to use alternate transportation, such as snowmobiles or snowshoes. You may travel to the area secure in the knowledge that your plans to visit the monument may still happen, no matter the time of year. Just plan for alternative transportation during the winter.
