Cedar Mountain / Markagunt Plateau Guided Tour

This is the perfect summertime escape from the warmer areas of Greater Zion. This tour takes you up into the mountains above 9,000 feet to cooler temperatures to enjoy a series of short hikes and touring both on and off paved roads. There’s a lot of mountain scenery to enjoy not far from Greater Zion. The tour includes stopping at a few viewpoints (and possible hiking) in Cedar Breaks National Monument, which is like a mini-Bryce Canyon.

Tour Specs: Tour Details:
① The tour starts with a quick climb up Cedar Canyon as it steps through what many people call the “Grand Staircase” in just 16 miles (the real Grand Staircase is around 80 miles in length). You’ll pass through Earth’s time starting from around 275 million to 50 million years ago. Your tour guide will explain the significance found here and point out the divisions of time.

At the top of the climb, you’ll see the oldest living species of trees on Earth, the bristlecone pine, along with a view down into Zion Canyon.

Optional hike about 1.2 miles round trip on an easy trail to Cascade Falls that comes out of the side of a cliff and marks the beginning of the Virgin River – the river that formed Zion Canyon and the Virgin Gorge. Along the trail, you’ll pass by the orange and pink colored Claron Formation, which is same rock unit that makes up Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks.

② Next, we’ll pass by a few lakes and lava flows that are surrounded by aspen tree groves near Duck Creek, including a lunch stop in Duck Creek Village.

Our afternoon is filled with enjoying the striking views of Cedar Breaks National Monument. Depending on our guest’s wishes, we’ll either stop at a few vista points or go on a 2-4 mile roundtrip hike along the rim.

③ Lastly, we’ll drive to the top of 11,200 foot-high Brian Head Peak for a commanding view of the entire area we just visited, before heading back down to the St. George area.

Tour Photos:

Cedar Mountain Tour Map:

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