Cedar Breaks, Valley of Fire, Snow Canyon
Feb 28th, 2009, 10:43 AM
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Cedar Breaks, Valley of Fire, Snow Canyon
We will be heading back to Zion in April (flying into Las Vegas at around 9:30 am). We would like to know how far (miles and timewise) off of Interstate 15 are Cedar Breaks, Snow Canyon, and Valley of Fire?
My initial idea is drive straight to Snow Canyon, then on to Springdale. Do a side trip to Cedar Breaks while staying in Springdale (three days), and drive to Valley of Fire on the way back to Las Vegas.
My initial idea is drive straight to Snow Canyon, then on to Springdale. Do a side trip to Cedar Breaks while staying in Springdale (three days), and drive to Valley of Fire on the way back to Las Vegas.
Feb 28th, 2009, 11:48 AM
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Valley of fire is about 15 miles east of I-15. One interesting way to take that side trip is a loop. Take Exit 75 on I-15 east through Valley of Fire and then continue east a few miles to Lake Shore Road. Take it north to Overton and then back out to I-15. It's interesting landscape and you'll see a bit of Lake Mead.
Snow Canyon is about the same distance off I-15. Take Exit 6 north and follow the signs.
Cedar Breaks is further out of the way and in April, you likely won't be able to get to it due to snow closures. If It's open, come north on I-15 to Cedar City than take U-14 into the mountains and follow the signs. If you can get to it, it is the most interesting of the three areas. As a side trip from Zion, it will add 100 to 125 miles to your trip depending on the route you take back.
Snow Canyon is about the same distance off I-15. Take Exit 6 north and follow the signs.
Cedar Breaks is further out of the way and in April, you likely won't be able to get to it due to snow closures. If It's open, come north on I-15 to Cedar City than take U-14 into the mountains and follow the signs. If you can get to it, it is the most interesting of the three areas. As a side trip from Zion, it will add 100 to 125 miles to your trip depending on the route you take back.
Feb 28th, 2009, 11:51 AM
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You do know that all visitor facilities are closed in Cedar Breaks until mid-May? There is apparently a Cedar Breaks scenic drive, and I trust someone with more information will post the details.
We did Valley of Fire on a trip similar to yours. Just drove through, then came down a back way, near Lake Mead, into Las Vegas.
We did Valley of Fire on a trip similar to yours. Just drove through, then came down a back way, near Lake Mead, into Las Vegas.
Mar 1st, 2009, 09:27 AM
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Thank you all for your replies. It is just the kind of information that I was looking for. It sounds like Cedar Breaks may not work out, though maybe if the weather is warmer than normal, we could include it.
We mentioned the above three attractions because they are places that we haven't been before. We have been to Zion 5 times in the last 4 years, and been to Bryce 3 times. We could go back to Bryce, though we also were considering day trips from Springdale like the Paria River area. I had posed a question about that several weeks ago. Any other ideas on other interesting places to go would be great.
We mentioned the above three attractions because they are places that we haven't been before. We have been to Zion 5 times in the last 4 years, and been to Bryce 3 times. We could go back to Bryce, though we also were considering day trips from Springdale like the Paria River area. I had posed a question about that several weeks ago. Any other ideas on other interesting places to go would be great.
Mar 2nd, 2009, 11:22 AM
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Mike,
Have you spent any time in the Boulder and Escalante areas? Awesome!
Near Kanab - Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - 3 hour visit
Paria Canyon is great, but be very careful of weather conditions. Don't want to be there during potential flooding.
Have you spent any time in the Boulder and Escalante areas? Awesome!
Near Kanab - Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - 3 hour visit
Paria Canyon is great, but be very careful of weather conditions. Don't want to be there during potential flooding.
Mar 2nd, 2009, 06:41 PM
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We did Capitol Reef to Zion a couple years ago, staying at Boulder Mtn Lodge. It was great.
We actually were thinking of stopping by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary after watching the TV shows about how they rehabilitate dogs. I assume that you can just drive up without calling first.
We actually were thinking of stopping by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary after watching the TV shows about how they rehabilitate dogs. I assume that you can just drive up without calling first.
Mar 3rd, 2009, 07:25 AM
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Mike,
Yes you can just show up. They will do a short driving only tour at any time. However, if you want to do the longer, 3 hour tour where you actually stop and visit some of the animals and facilities, you should call ahead and make a reservation. Or, at least know the scheduled times they give those longer tours. Fantastic group of folks!
Also, if you are heading to Snow Canyon, go a little further west and take a short tour of the Jacob Hamblin house. One of the original settlers in the area. Interesting if you are into that type of thing.
Also, there is the Johnson farm dinosaur tracks site in St. George and the ghost town of Grafton just outside Springdale, if you've never seen that. Nice for a short visit. This is where Etta's house was filmed in Butch & the Kid. the house no longer exists, but other old buildings and the cemetary do.
Yes you can just show up. They will do a short driving only tour at any time. However, if you want to do the longer, 3 hour tour where you actually stop and visit some of the animals and facilities, you should call ahead and make a reservation. Or, at least know the scheduled times they give those longer tours. Fantastic group of folks!
Also, if you are heading to Snow Canyon, go a little further west and take a short tour of the Jacob Hamblin house. One of the original settlers in the area. Interesting if you are into that type of thing.
Also, there is the Johnson farm dinosaur tracks site in St. George and the ghost town of Grafton just outside Springdale, if you've never seen that. Nice for a short visit. This is where Etta's house was filmed in Butch & the Kid. the house no longer exists, but other old buildings and the cemetary do.
Mar 4th, 2009, 06:43 AM
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there are 3 rim view points maybe 4 at Cedar Breaks .. since we were in Bryan Head ski area we went there this last October... Cedar is a very small small amphlatheater of Bryce like formations .. only rim access, no hiking trails down into the formations .. Hwy 14 while a pretty drive is a steep and winding road but well maintained ...you will spend more time driving to and back from Cedar Breaks than the 30 minutes to see the actual park .. I honestly believe you will not miss anything if you skip this park and spend time some other place ... my 2 cents
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