Along the Markagunt Plateau, SR-14 makes a trail through aspens, evergreens and ancient lava rock. Fall arrives early at this high elevation, chasing the green from the aspens in October. In Dixie National Forest, the sight seems endless with beauty as autumn leaves stretch as far as the eye can see.
Utah SR-148 Annual Winter Closure
SR-148 closes each winter from late October or early November to late May. Cross country skiers and snowmobiles visit the park throughout the winter and snowmobiles are allowed on snow packed SR-143.
Connecting the National Parks with beauty and adventure
Mileage from Cedar City: Mileage to attractions along U-14, along Cedar Mountain to it's terminus at US-89 and on to Mt. Carmel Junction and Zion National Park. From the mileage sign on U-14 seen as you leave Cedar City.
Cedar Breaks 21 miles
Navajo Lake 26 miles
Duck Creek 29 miles
Bryce Canyon 76 miles
Iron County Cedar Canyon Campground 11 miles
Webster Flat 14.4 miles
Zion Overlook 16.3 miles
Bristlecone Pine Trailhead 17 miles
Junction of U-14 and U-148 17.8 miles
Deer Valley 22.9 miles
Kane County - Iron County line 23 miles
Kane County
Navajo Lake Overlook 24 miles
Road to Navajo Lake and North Fork 25.2 miles
Road to Visitor Center - Cascade Falls 28.8 miles
Singing Pines Trailhead 29 miles
Duck Creek Campground 29 miles
Duck Creek - Duck Pond 29.5 miles
Duck Creek Village - 31 miles
Road to Aspen Mirror Lake - 31.5 miles
Restaurant - Cedar Mountain Village 32 miles
Road to Mammoth Creek 32 miles
Road to Uninta Flat 33.5 miles
Road to Strawberry Point 33.5 miles
Road to Strawberry Ridge 34 miles
Road to Swains Creek 35.5 miles
Road to Harris Flat
Road to Stout Canyon 37.8 miles
Leaving Dixie National Forest - 39 miles
Long Valley Jct. (Jct. of U-14 & US-89) 41 miles
Orderville 59 miles
Mt. Carmel Jct. (Jct. of US-89 & SR-9) 64 miles
Zion National Park - Up SR-9 12 miles
Utah's Dixie National Forest: Cedar Mountain
Cedar Breaks National Monument is surrounded by Utah's Dixie National Forest. From Mt. Carmel Junction, drive north on US-89 to the junction with U-14. SR-14 is known as Cedar Mountain which is the scenic byway to travel to Cedar Breaks. Once on Cedar Mountain, travel through the beautiful forest, and then turn at the signed highway to Cedar Breaks - U-148. It's 22 miles from Mt. Carmel Junction to boundary of Dixie National Forest and 45 miles to Cedar Breaks.
Utah's Dixie National Forest: Red Canyon Red Canyon is a unique part of Dixie National Forest that is not only traveled through on the way to Bryce Canyon, but it has eroded hoodoos like Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks. It is found along U-12
Aspens lines the roads and many of the trails on Cedar Mountain.
Lodging and services are available on the gorgeous east side of Zion National Park, where guests are close to Zion National Park (12 miles), Bryce Canyon National Park (60 miles), Cedar Breaks National Monument (45 miles), Coral Pink Sand Dunes (12 miles), and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon (85 miles). It's where city traffic is absent and the skies are bright and clean.
Webster Flat in Dixie National Forest
Along SR-14 towards Cedar City is the turnoff to Webster's Flat. There is a campground here and groves of aspen.
Markagunt Plateau - The Markagunt Plateau is one of the largest and highest plateaus in Southern Utah. Markagunt is an Indian word meaning "highland of trees," which well describes this area.
Turn-off to SR-148 and Cedar Breaks
Travel SR-14 and take the turn-off to SR-148 to Cedar Breaks National Monument. Cedar Breaks is spectacular and a must see when in Southern Utah! Check for road closure in the winter.
Cedar Mountain - Dixie National Forest, Utah's largest national forest, stretches over two million acres of land. The elevation in this forest spans from 3,300' in Dixie's desert to over 11,000' on Cedar Mountain. From the highest point in Dixie National Forest, along SR-14, the majestic Navajo Lake can be viewed.
Cedar Mountain Map
Navajo Lake & Cascade Falls - Turn off SR-14 onto Navajo Lake Road (Forest Service Road 053) to Navajo Lake. A half mile down, the road will fork to the Cascade Falls trailhead and the Navajo Loop Trail. Cascade Falls are the head waters of the North Fork of the Virgin River that runs through Zion National Park. The Cascade Falls hike is a short one mile, round trip, along a picturesque scene of towering alpine trees and beautiful mountains. The trail is an easy hike with little elevation change.
Fishing on Cedar Mountain - Almost directly across the highway from Navajo Lake is Duck Creek with a fishing pond and stream where there is almost always someone sitting on the bank with a fishing pole in hand. Navajo Lake and Duck Creek offer pretty views and great trout fishing, hiking and camping. Navajo lake drains into Cascade falls. That water eventually drains into the Pacific Ocean. The second drainage area is the famous Virgin River that carved Zion Canyon.
Zion Overlook - Zion Overlook is a view point located at 10,000 feet looking far down upon Zion Kolob Terrace. The Kolob is the main backcountry section of Zion.
Strawberry Point - Strawberry Point is a little-known area of SR-14. The turn-off is located about 5 miles after turning onto SR-14 from US Highway 89. This 9 mile dirt road leads to a view of Zion National Park. This is a popular bicycle trail.
Consider buying the America the Beautiful Park pass. It will get you into Cedar Breaks, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Grand Canyon National Park and all the US Federal Lands on your want to see list. The pass can be purchased online or at the gate of any of the parks. Help out your favorite park and buy the pass from them or speed up the lines to get into the parks and get yours ahead of time on the internet.
Mileage from
Mt. Carmel Jct.
Zion National Park 12
Bryce Canyon 60
Grand Canyon 85
Cedar Breaks 45
Grand Staircase 9
Dixie Forest 22
Sand Dunes 11
Coyote Butte 57
Red Canyon 47
Tuweep 90
Stay in the heart of the parks, Mount Carmel Junction, and visit the treasures of the Southwest and Utah.
This is my new favorite quote:
"I don't know who Mary Cisneros is, but I mean zionnational-park.com
It's a better site than the NPS's anyway."
Written by the authors of the book: Favorite Hikes in and around Zion National Park
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