When the summer months bring temperatures to triple digits to the low deserts of Southern Utah; people look for family activities that are off the beaten path.
June through September we offer a once in a lifetime experience for the entire family with guided horseback tours through beautiful Dixie National Forest up 25 minutes on Hwy 14 from Cedar City. This is also near Cedar Breaks National Monument, Duck Creek Village, Mammoth Caves, The Ice Cave, and Navajo Lake. We ride in the pine trees and along side creeks and meadows. The elevations on Cedar Mountain range from 8,500 ft. to 11,000 ft. This results in cool summers on the mountain.
The drive up SR-14 is located across the southern section of the Markagunt Plateau, east from Cedar City, to where it joins with Highway 89.
The gray desert landscape quickly rises into low mountains in reds and tans dotted with vibrant plant life. Soon after, the scenery narrows into a rounded, tree-topped limestone canyon and then flattens to a forest floor. Pine trees spring up as you enter the Dixie National Forest.
Cedar Canyon Campground is the first campsite on the route driving east, and has stunning red-rock views of an eroded cliff face. About halfway to Duck Creek, the highway’s end point, is Route 148, which leads to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Cedar Breaks’ most memorable trait is its red-and-white striated geologic “amphitheater,” which is half a mile deep and beautifully carved by the elements. At 10,000 feet above sea level, the park, open May through October, is considered a sub-alpine forest, with ancient bristlecone pines and wildflower fields.
Continuing east, you’ll find Navajo Lake, open in June and home to three campgrounds, fishing, boating and a handful of hiking trails for all ability levels. One of the easiest, Cascade Falls, is a scenic walk on the south-facing side of a red mountain to a waterfall. The hike is well worth it for the sweeping valley views. Beyond the lake are lava fields created by ancient volcanic activity. Mammoth Cave, a quarter-mile-long lava tube, is located near Mammoth Creek Road and is safe to explore, but just driving past presents a breathtaking view of white aspen trees and jagged black rocks. Finally, the highway ends at Duck Creek, a small town with campsites, cabins and recreational rentals.
