Cedar City Utah Overview

Cedar City, Utah, or what locals call Festival City, sits just 17 miles north of Zion National Park's Kolob Canyon's District and less than 60 miles from park's main western entrance.

From Cedar City motor south on Interstate 15. Take Exit 40 and turn left at Kolob Canyons Road. This twisting road gains 1,110 feet in just five miles, culminating at the appropriately named Kolob Canyons Viewpoint.

To reach the park's main western entrance continue south on I-15 and take Exit 27. Turn left on Route 17 and follow into the town of Leeds. Here, turn left (east) on Route 9 and follow into Zion National Park.

Before reaching the park's western entrance consider turning north on the Kolob Terrace Road in the town of Virgin. This two-lane road accesses some of the least visited sections of the park. The Lava Point Viewpoint, at 7,760 feet, provides dramatic views of the park, worthy of at least seven camera shots.

Or, at Rockville, just outside the park, take a side road to Grafton, a well-preserved ghost town used in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

If time is not an issue travel east on Route 14 from Cedar City to Long Valley Junction 42 miles away. Turn right (south) at Route 89 and drive another 23 miles to Route 9. Turn right (west) and access the park via its eastern entrance.