If you love to be awestruck by breathtaking nature views and spend your time on invigorating hikes, Cedar City, Utah, is the place to be. Whether you are coming for a visit or looking for a wondrous place to call home, Cedar City is located at the nexus point between several miraculously beautiful national parks. From towering mountains to deep canyons and ancient forests, you will find no limit to the adventure and the glory of nature all around you.

What are the best national parks near Cedar City, Utah? We would love to take you on a brief tour to inform your next nature hiking or camping plans.

National parks & forests nearby

Zion National Park

Zion National Park is where three breathtaking ecosystems come together: the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Basin. Magnificent mountains, glittering rivers, and incredible views make Zion National Park a legendary hotspot for camping, hiking, and rock climbing adventures. The park is known for the vividly striped rocks seen in the mountains and canyons and gloriously colorful caves.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bruce Canyon is a legendarily beautiful painted canyon with several hiking trails dedicated to traversing from the rim to the two natural amphitheaters. It is the largest collection of hoodoos rock formations in the world. These rock formations form gorgeous irregularly eroded spires, which give Utah some of its most iconic geographic features.

Dixie National Forest

Dixie National Forest is the nearest national forest to Cedar City. It’s just a 15-minute drive to the start of the forest, which is nearly two million acres in size, stretching about 170 miles across. It is the largest national forest in Utah, offering the full range of deep woods and canyon outdoor activities. The tree variety includes pinyon pines, juniper, aspen, spruce, and fir.

The best trails to walk

Middle Fork Taylor Creek in Kolob Canyon

The “Middle Fork” Trail is one of the best-known trails in Zion National Park. This 5-mile long out-and-back trail follows Taylor Creek’s middle fork through the beautiful sandstone formations of Kolob Canyon.

The Rim Trail

The Rim Trail is located in Bryce Canyon National Park. It travels 5.5 miles from Fairyland to Bryce Point by circling the top of one of Bryce Canyon’s legendary amphitheaters.

Queen’s Garden Trail

The Queen’s Garden Trail is considered one of the gentlest hiking paths in Bryce Canyon and a favorite for sightseeing when visiting Cedar City. It provides an easy walkable slope from the rim into the canyon and is only a 2-mile walk out and back.

Ashdown Gorge Potato Hollow Trail

In the heart of the Dixie National Forest is the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness, featuring the Rattlesnake Trail and Potato Hollow Trial. We recommend the Potato Hollow trail, which takes a winding path from a meadow down into Long Hollow in a beautiful 5-mile trek.

Benefits of being in Cedar City

Cedar City is a beautiful place for those who love to be surrounded by awe-inspiring natural mountains, forests, and rivers. The rock formations are legendary, but beauty in every direction can be seen in town and throughout the surrounding national forests. The farm-to-market proximity and local restaurants are fantastic, and the downtown Main Street area provides a charming and pedestrian-friendly environment for days you prefer to spend shopping in town.

If you are looking for a home in Cedar City, join us in Fiddlers Canyon. Contact us to learn what is coming soon to the Cedar City community.

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