10 Easy Out‑of‑County Road Trips From Cedar City, Utah
If you’re based in Cedar City in Iron County and you love quick road trips, you’re in a great spot. Within just a couple of hours, you can reach red rock canyons, quiet small towns, ghost towns, and some of the most famous national parks in the Southwest.
This guide focuses on
short out‑of‑county road trips from Cedar City. That means we’re skipping Iron County itself and heading into nearby counties like
Beaver, Garfield, Kane, Washington in Utah and
Lincoln County in Nevada.
All of these are doable as day trips, though a few are even better if you stay the night.
1. Bryce Canyon National Park (Garfield County, UT)
Bryce Canyon is one of those places that looks fake in photos… until you see it in person and realize it’s even better.
From Cedar City, it’s about a
1.5–2 hour drive northeast to
Bryce Canyon National Park in Garfield County. The drive itself is beautiful, winding through high country and forest.
Why go:
- See the famous hoodoos (those funky orange rock spires)
- Catch an unforgettable sunrise at Bryce Amphitheater
- Easy rim walks with huge views
Don’t miss:
- Sunrise Point and Sunset Point – easy walks, big payoff
- Navajo Loop / Queen’s Garden Trail – a moderate hike down among the hoodoos
- Stargazing – Bryce is an official Dark Sky Park
If you’re wondering whether Bryce is worth a day trip from Cedar City: yes. Even a few hours along the rim will stay with you for a long time.
2. Zion National Park – Springdale Entrance (Washington County, UT)
Zion is one of the top national parks near Cedar City and sits just over the line in
Washington County. The main south entrance near
Springdale is about a
1‑hour drive south.
Why go:
- Iconic red rock canyon walls towering over the Virgin River
- Family‑friendly riverside walks
- Bucket‑list hikes like the Narrows (if river conditions allow)
Easy things to do:
- Ride the park shuttle up Zion Canyon and hop off at viewpoints
- Walk the Pa’rus Trail – flat and paved with great scenery
- Browse shops and grab a bite in Springdale
If you go in summer, try to arrive early to beat the heat and the crowds. In cooler months, Zion makes an amazing last‑minute day trip from Cedar City.
3. Kolob Canyons Section of Zion (Washington County, UT)
Want Zion views with fewer people? Head to the
Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, in Washington County, about
40–45 minutes from Cedar City.
This lesser‑known entrance is just off
I‑15 and feels surprisingly quiet compared to the main canyon.
Highlights:
- Kolob Canyons Road – a 5‑mile scenic drive with big red cliff views
- Timber Creek Overlook Trail – short hike (about 1 mile round trip) with a huge panorama
- Great spot for sunset photos
On days when you don’t have time for a big adventure, Kolob Canyons makes an easy, low‑stress escape from Cedar City.
4. St. George & Snow Canyon State Park (Washington County, UT)
If you’re craving warmer weather, head to
St. George in Washington County, about
50–60 minutes south. It’s usually a good bit warmer than Cedar City, especially in winter.
Right next door is
Snow Canyon State Park, which often feels like a mini‑national park.
In St. George, you can:
- Grab lunch at a local café or food truck
- Stroll around the historic downtown area
- Walk or bike the city’s many paved trails
In Snow Canyon State Park, explore:
- Sand Dunes area – kids love this spot
- Jenny’s Canyon – short, shady walk into a slot‑style canyon
- Whiterocks Amphitheater – white sandstone and sweeping views
St. George is one of the best all‑around day trips near Cedar City: food, scenery, and lots of easy hikes all in one place.
5. Panguitch & Panguitch Lake (Garfield County, UT)
Just north of Bryce, the town of
Panguitch in Garfield County has a relaxed small‑town feel, with old brick buildings and a frontier vibe. It’s about a
1‑hour drive from Cedar City.
In town, you can:
- Walk the historic Main Street
- Try a local diner or burger joint
- Check out antique shops and small galleries
Just up the road is
Panguitch Lake, a popular spot for:
- Fishing for trout
- Simple lakeside picnics
- Cool summer air when the valleys are hot
If you’re looking for an easy “old Utah” kind of day trip—nothing fancy, just fresh air and quiet views—this one is hard to beat.
6. Beaver & Eagle Point Ski Resort (Beaver County, UT)
To the north,
Beaver County is home to the town of
Beaver, about
50 minutes from Cedar City along I‑15. It’s a great quick escape any time of year.
In winter, the big draw is
Eagle Point Ski Resort, in the Tushar Mountains above Beaver.
What to do:
- Eagle Point – skiing and snowboarding, plus cozy lodge vibes
- Explore Beaver – stroll through town and grab a bite
- Scenic drives in the Tushar Mountains when the snow melts
Even if you’re not big on skiing, the drive up into the Tushars offers amazing views and a real change of scenery from Cedar City.
7. Kanab – “Little Hollywood” of the Desert (Kane County, UT)
Head southeast and you’ll hit
Kanab in Kane County, about a
2‑hour drive from Cedar City. This town has been used as a backdrop for many old Western movies, earning it the nickname “Little Hollywood.”
Why visit Kanab:
- Gateway to some of Utah’s most amazing desert landscapes
- Fun small‑town main street with cafés and shops
- Access to slot canyons and sand dunes nearby
Ideas for your day:
- Walk the Kanab Heritage House Museum area and nearby neighborhoods
- Drive a bit out of town for easy red rock views
- Check out movie history spots and photo backdrops
If you like the idea of a classic Western town surrounded by red rock cliffs, Kanab is your place.
8. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park (Kane County, UT)
Not far from Kanab, still in
Kane County, you’ll find
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. From Cedar City, it’s roughly
1.5–2 hours depending on your route.
The dunes really are a coral‑pink color, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Things to do:
- Walk the dunes barefoot if the sand isn’t too hot
- Bring a sled or board (or rent one nearby) and slide down the hills
- Take photos of the unique colors and patterns in the sand
It feels a bit like you’ve landed on another planet—orange sand, blue sky, and rolling dunes for miles.
9. Pioche & Cathedral Gorge State Park (Lincoln County, NV)
If you’re up for crossing into Nevada, head west into
Lincoln County. The old mining town of
Pioche and the nearby
Cathedral Gorge State Park make a great combo.
From Cedar City, plan on about a
2‑hour drive, depending on your exact route.
In Pioche:
- Check out the old mining buildings and quiet streets
- Get a feel for Nevada’s Wild West history
In Cathedral Gorge State Park:
- Walk through narrow clay formations that look like mini slot canyons
- Climb into little “caves” sculpted by erosion
- Take easy trails with almost no crowds
Cathedral Gorge is one of those under‑the‑radar spots that many Utah travelers never see—but from Cedar City, it’s well within reach.
10. Caliente & Kershaw–Ryan State Park (Lincoln County, NV)
Another Lincoln County, Nevada gem is the small railroad town of
Caliente and the nearby
Kershaw–Ryan State Park. This area is also around
2 hours from Cedar City.
Why visit:
- Quiet town with a historic railroad depot
- Green oasis canyons tucked into the desert
- Less‑touristy feel than many Utah parks
At Kershaw–Ryan State Park:
- Walk short trails that dip into a lush little canyon
- Enjoy picnic areas with shade and grass
- Let kids play in the park’s small recreation spots
If you want a mellow out‑of‑state day that still feels close to home, this trip is a nice change of pace from Utah’s red rock icons.
Tips for Road Trips From Cedar City
To make these out‑of‑county adventures from Cedar City smoother, keep a few basics in mind:
- Check the weather – higher elevations like Bryce and Eagle Point can be chilly, even in late spring.
- Carry extra water – the desert is beautiful but very dry.
- Fill up on gas – some stretches between towns are long and empty.
- Pack layers – you might start the day in a jacket and end it in a T‑shirt.
Where Will You Go First?
Living in or visiting
Cedar City means you’re surrounded by some of the best road trips in the Southwest—all within just a few hours’ drive and outside of Iron County. From
Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos to
Zion’s cliffs, from
Coral Pink Sand Dunes to
Nevada’s hidden state parks, there’s always a new corner to explore.
Which of these 10 out‑of‑county road trips near Cedar City would you try first?
Have you already visited any of these spots? What did you think?
Share your thoughts in the comments, and if you found this guide helpful, please
share it with friends or family who are planning a Utah road trip. Your shares and comments help other travelers discover new adventures just beyond Cedar City’s borders.
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