Abbey Inn Cedar City

Southwest Utah’s bird habitats offer varied terrain and vegetation that provide excellent opportunities to enjoy spectacular scenery and beautiful wild birds in their natural environment.

• CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT is a huge natural amphitheater more than 2000 feet deep and three miles from rim to rim. Birding is usually good at the campground and on the trail from the visitors center to the campground. You will find Clark’s Nutcracker, Ray Jay, and Pine Grosbeak. Along the Alpine Pond Trail you’ll encounter a Three-toed Woodpecker, Lincoln’s Sparrow, Red Crossbill, and Blue Grouse. Peregrine Falcons nest below the rim.
• BRIANHEAD PEAK is a reliable place to find Utah’s high elevation birds. The 11,000 + foot elevation provides a sharp contrast to the Mojave desert birding, less than 80 “straight line” miles to the southwest. The Northern Pygmy Owl is a bird you may see on a clear day. The views are spectacular!

• KOLOB CANYON ROAD-ZION NATIONAL PARK is easily accessed from I-15 with good birding choices and spectacular scenery. The Mountain BlueBird, Blue-Gray Gnatcather, Western Scrub Jay and Pinion Jay are best seen during the spring and fall migration.

• KOLOB RESERVOIR SCENIC BACKWAY is a 25 mile (one way) road that offers a diversity of habitats for birding. The road typically closes for the witer above Maloney Hill. A good birding walk is the Wildcat Canyon to Northgate Peak Trail. This trail is good for woodpeckers and nutcatchers. Red Crossbill,  Townsend’s Solitaire, Grace’s Warbler and Wild Turkey.

The first and last hours of daylight are generally the best times to view or photograph most species. Be quiet. Quick movements and loud noises wll normally scare wildlife. Whisper when you speak. Be still.  Binoculars or spotting scopes are always desirable. Be patient. And enjoy!!

Helpful Resources;

Obtain an Iron County bird checklist ot the Iron County Visitor Center, 581 N Main, Cedar City UT 435-586-5124

Utah Department of Wildlife Resources, www.utah.wildlife.gov or 801-538-4730

Information is courtesy of Cedar City/Brianhead Tourism and Convention Bureau

School daze are heading our way, again. But does that mean our summer is over? Of course not!!

There is still plenty of time to see the Utah Shakespeare Festival!!

Our Summer Festival season will be over August 28th, but don’t be too concerned….the Fall Festival Season will begin September 16th and run until October 16th. That will give you just enough time to get the kids ready for the new school year.

You can treat yourself to a few more nights of theatre. As always the Utah Shakespeare Festival has 3 amazing plays, for your pleasure. The Adventures of Pericles, Greater Tuna and The Diary of Anne Frank.

Southern Utah has some of the most magnificent National parks and Monuments. The weather is cooler, the sites are gorgeous and they are all still open!

Zion National Park, Bryce National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument, lie in wait of your arrival. Hiking, horse back riding or just relaxing. It’s not over, yet.

In September, Iron County will be hosting several Festivals, during the weekend of September 16 – September 18.  Of course the Utah Shakespeare Festival, The Sky Festival, Oktoberfest, Outdoor Festival, the Red Rock Relay and more!

School may have started but the Summer is not OVER!!

Stop by and see us! Let us make the Abbey Inn your home away from home.

See you soon!

The Tony Award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival is here! We all think, “It just can’t get any better”. But it does. There are nine different plays, from the end of June until the middle of October. There are Greenshows, backstage tours, seminars and much more, to get you started.

The Summer Festival offers six plays in two grand theaters: the outdoor Adams Shakespearean Theatre, which is a replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and features only Shakespeare plays; and the indoor Randall L Jones Theatre, a modern facility that features contemporary works. In the summer the Festival offers free nightly Greenshow performances featuring music, song, and comedic tales and entertainment on the outdoor stage.

The Fall Festival offers three plays, free actor, literary and prop seminars, backstage tours and play orientation before all shows.

This year, Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado about Nothing are at the Adamas Theatre. Pride and Prejudice, The 39 Steps and Great Expectations are at the Randall Theatre.

During the Fall season, The Adventures of Pericles, Greater Tuna and The Diary of Anne Frank will complete the 2010 season.

We look forward to your visit.! Don’t forget to reserve your room at the Abbey Inn. We would love to take care of your lodging needs!

If you need a change of pace, to your busy life, and you want to go somewhere, not too far from home,  and keep your expenses down, try visiting Cedar City Utah and stay with us at the Abbey Inn!

Thanks to the Cedar City/Brianhead Tourism Bureau, they have provided us with 23 things to do, in Cedar City, that are free! Take a moment to read the list. Then reserve your room, with us.

1. Explore Parowan Gap Petroglyphs. The Parowan Gap is a registered historic site, with ancient Native American rock art.

2. Run, Walk, Bike the Coal Creek Parkway Trail. A paved scenic walking trail, located along the banks of the Coal Creek. It weaves its way up to the Cedar Canyon, 3.5 miles. There are exercise stations and access points.

3. Play in Cedar Canyon Park. The park is located on both sides of Coal Creek. It has 2 pavilions, a volleyball court and playgrounds.

4. Sing a long at the Utah Shakespeare Festival Greenshow. The Adams Memorial Outdoor Theater comes alive with song and dance each evening before the plays.  Bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy the free show!

5. Park Discovery. An interactive play structure built from the design ideas of local children. Park Discovery has towers, ramps, water, cultural and historic elements.  Dig for “dinosaur bones”, fly a kite or walk a 3/4 mile paved path.

6. Southern Utah University. Take a stroll on campus with beautiful landscaping, fountains, ponds and beautiful bronze statues. The campus has something for everyone!

7. Daughters of the Utah Pioneer Museum. Displays local pioneer artifacts and other historical information.

8. Cedar City Veteran’s Memorial Park. Large scale memorials and statues and walking trails are all constructed to honor our veterans from the World Wars, Afghanistan, Iraqi Freedom, Korean and Vietnam Wars.

9. Skate Exit 59. This features several ramps and rails for skateboarders, inline skaters and bikes.

10- Old Rock Church. The crown jewel of Cedar City was built from donated materials and local labor, during the Great Depression.

11- Wood’s Ranch Recreation Kid’s Pond. A nice area for picnics, volleyball and hiking Virgin River Rim Trail. Kid’s 12 and under can fish free. (but must be accompanied by an adult with a fishing license)

12- Bird Watching. Cedar City and surrounding areas have beautiful birding areas. There are plenty of trails to watch the different bird species.

13- Window Shop Historic Downtown. Cedar City’s downtown has quaint shops, art galleries, local restaurants, coffee house and music store.

14- Old Iron Town Ghost Ruins. The area includes the original iron works, beehive shaped charcoal oven and a nature trail.

15- Cedar City Library in the Park. The library includes a great children ‘s section, computers and traveling exhibits.

16. Heritage Water Feature. Located in front of the Festival hall entrance. Press the button and water is released in spontaneous intervals.

17. Southern Utah University Observatory. Star gaze every Monday night!

18. Hike Cedar Canyon. There are several hiking trails to be hiked. Inquire at the Iron County Visitors Center for trail information.

19. Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery. Features regional and national art exhibits.

20. Parowan Town. Take a tour at the Old Rock Church Museum and see some of Southern Utah’s original settlements. A pioneeer home, Dr. Meeks cabin, an urban fishery and more!

21. Scenic Drive. Cedar City is surrounded by many scenic byways, featuring beautiful scenery, trails and wildlife.

22. The Great  Outdoors. Dixie National Forest provides many outdoor adventures. Cedar Mountain has forests with lakes, streams, meadows, caves and lava beds. Navajo Lake, Duck Creek, Brianhead, Mammoth Cave and Yankee Meadow, to name a few.

23. Great Events and Happenings. We have car shows, street festivals, concerts in the park and more.

For more information on the different things to do, visit www.scenicsouthernutah.com.

Reserve your room, now, for that great getaway!!

The Cedar City/Brianhead Tourism Bureau has worked very hard to compile a list of hiking trails for all of the visitors of Southern Utah. Below is that list.

We are very fortunate to have a beautiful place to live and visit and play!!

Hiking in Scenic Southern Utah is a great way to explore the region and experience the beautiful scenery off the beaten path. There’s everything from arches to waterfalls, ancient forests to slot canyons and majestic overlooks. Trails range from easy walks to challenging overnight excursions. Be prepared with a good supply of water, good hiking shoes, maps, sun-screen and plenty of time.

KOLOB CANYONS

ZION NATIONAL PARK

ZIONS  “SECRET” CANYON

The Kolob Canyons section of Zion is considered to be the most conveniently located national park in all of Utah. It is right off Interstate 15.  Kolob remains a little known secret to most visitors of Southern Utah.

Kolob Canyons has soaring cliffs of red Navajo sandstone and deep canyons. There are unique geological history with diverse animal and plant life.  There are many trails and picnic sites for your pleasure. The word “Kolob” comes from Mormon scripture meaning “residence closest to heaven”.

THE DRIVE; Visitors may access the Kolob Canyons from 1-15 exit #40.  There is a visitor Center for more information about the park.

The views along the five mile scenic byway are breathtaking. The red sandstone and lush green foliage have a wondrous contrast. In the early spring the waterfalls from the winter snow melt, can be found cascading down the steep cliffs.

PICNICS: Kolob is a favorite picnic spot for locals and visitors. The Timbercreek overlook features a picnic area with tables and trees for shade. Access the picnic area by walking up the Timbercreek Trail for a few yards.

WILDLIFE VIEWING: Kolob has many different wildlife to see. Mule deer, jack rabbits and rock squirrels can be seen everywhere. Keep you eyes open! Birds of every kind will excite,  even the most novice bird watcher. There are ravens, blue scrub jay, red tail hawks and golden eagles in the skies. Lizards can be seen sunning them selves. Coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, foxes and skunks inhabit the canyons, too.

Please observe the wildlife and not interrupt their activities. Human food is not good for them and they can injure you, if you get too close.

HIKING: There are several hikes in Kolob. Timbercreek Trail is at the roads end. it is about one mile, round trip. The trail follows the ridge top to a small peak. Middle Fork of Taylor Creek is located about two miles from the Visitor Center along the Kolob Scenic Byway. The hike is about 5 miles, round trip. Plan about 4 hours up and back. The hike is moderate to difficult.  KOLOB ARCH is approximately 3.5 miles from the Visitors Center at Lee’s Pass. This hike is an all day hike, about 14.4 miles round trip. Hike is considered moderate to strenuous. backcountry camping is permitted in designated areas and requires a permit.

LEAVE NO TRACE!! Stay on trail, do not take shortcuts. Camp without leaving a trace. Carry out all garbage, please. Avoid walking on sensitive foliage and plantings.

Entrance Fees to the park are $25.00 per vehicle and is good for 7 days.

Information provided by Cedar City/Brianhead Tourism

This is a place, you DO NOT want to miss.

The Utah Summer Games is an Olympic-style sports festival for athletes of all ages and abilities open to residents of the state of Utah. For the past 25 years, the Utah Summer Games has conducted this event in Cedar City, Utah with an average total of 9,600 participants, 50 thousand spectators, and 1,000 volunteers in attendance each year. Add all that together and you have one of the premier sporting events in Utah.

The National Congress of State Games (NCSG) is a national membership organization comprised of the individual State Games across the country. The NCSG is a community-based member of the United States Olympic Committee and rights holder of the State Games of America. The State Games of America is the premier national Olympic-style sports festival held every other year. Medal winners from State Games earn the right to compete against other medal winners and match their skills and competitive desire in a national arena.

“live the sport. play the game”

Be a part of the greatest competitions in the State.  Let Abbey Inn of Cedar City, be your home away from home.

We are often asked, “What is there to do in Cedar City?”…..

Let us tell you about our area…..

We are the gateway to several of the most beautiful National Parks, in the country. Zion and Bryce National Park are just a short drive, from the heart of Cedar City. Cedar Breaks National Monument is a beautiful 25 minute drive, in our own Cedar Canyon.

In Cedar Canyon, there are so many places to hike and bike. Brianhead Ski Resort has several biking trails, some of which can be accessed by their tram. The wildlife is abundant on Cedar Mountain. Camping spots are numerous. Woods Ranch and kids pond is just 12 miles, on SR-14.

We are very proud of The Frontier Homestead State Park, The Old Rock Church, Old Iron Town, and The Spanish Trail, with tributes and monuments, commemorating explorers of the past.

We have several parks, for your enjoyment. Park Discovery is a huge hit with families and children. Main Street Park has plenty of room, for picnics, with 2 pavilions and plenty of grass to relax on. Our Veterans Memorial Park is one of our parks,  that we take great pride in. It honors our Veterans from World War I & II, Korean, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraqi Wars. It has scenic walking trails with monuments, along the way. The trail winds 3 miles up to the mouth of Cedar Canyon.

Cedar City has a wonderful University.  Southern Utah University, which has provided an amazing education for thousands of students. SUU has been the hub for the Utah Summer Games and has partnered, for years, with the Tony award winning Utah Shakespeare Festival! The Museum of Natural History is adjacent to the Science Building. The museum features rich geological & biological life history of Southern Utah.

Our community and others have enjoyed Three Peaks Recreational Park, West of Cedar City. It has two pavilions for groups, and several picnic areas. ATV trails, mountain biking and unique rock formations, are there to explore.

We have two movie Theaters with 14 movie screens.

Come and visit us in mid September and have a thrill of your life, with the Cedar City SkyFest! Hot air balloons, kite flying, motorized planes and more.

So you ask, “What is there to do in Cedar City”? Come and see what awaits you! We have just begun, to show you!

Cedar Breaks National Monument is a natural amphitheater canyon, stretching across 3 miles, with a depth of over 2,000 feet. The elevation of the rim is over 10,000 feet above sea level. Cedar Breaks was established in 1933 and is located 21 miles east of Cedar City, Utah. Cedar Breaks is a spectacular world of rainbow hued rock formations millions of years in the making. The eroded rock of the canyon is similar to formations at Bryce Canyon National Park, but has its own distinct look. From its high vantage points, clear vistas extend hundreds of miles featuring lush alpine forests and serene wildflower meadows.

The Cedar Breaks amphitheater, located near the west end of the Colorado Plateau, covers the west side of the Markagunt Plateau, the same plateau that forms parts of Zion National Park. Uplift and erosion formed the canyon over millions of years, raising and then wearing away the shale, limestone, and sandstone that was deposited at the bottom of an ancient lake, known as Lake Claron about 60 million years ago. It continues to erode at a pace of about 2 inches every 5 years. Indian settlers called it the “Circle of Painted Cliffs” because of the many brilliant colors that the rocks of the eroded canyon contained. The area is another form of badlands-canyons, spires, walls, and cliffs so steep and confusing that the land, while of great aesthetic value, are of little utilitarian worth. Early settlers called them badlands or breaks and created its current name by combining breaks with cedar for the many juniper trees that grow in the area.

Cedar Breaks National Monument contains rock formations known as hoodoos. These are also known as tent rocks, fairy chimneys or earth pyramids. A hoodoo is a tall thin spire of rock that protrudes from the bottom of an arid drainage basin or badland. Hoodoos are composed of soft sedimentary rock and are topped by a piece of harder, less easily-eroded stone that protects the column from the elements. Hoodoos have a variable thickness often described as having a “totem pole-shaped body.” Hoodoos range in height from that of an average human being to heights exceeding a 10-story building. Hoodoo shapes are affected by the erosional patterns of alternating hard and softer rock layers. Minerals deposited within different rock types cause hoodoos to have different colors throughout their height.

Cedar Breaks provides many different types of activities. There is a scenic drive along The Cedar Breaks Hwy U-148 that offers beautiful views of the rock formations, meadows, and forests. There are four developed overlooks, and trail heads for two hiking trails located along the scenic drive. The Alpine Pond Trail is an easy two mile route that offers excellent views of the wildflower meadows. Spectra Points/Ramparts Trail leads for one mile to the Spectra Point Overlook. Hikers who are prepared for a slightly more strenuous hike may continue one mile further to the Ramparts Overlook. During the summer months, geology talks and evening campfire programs are offered by the park rangers. Campground sites are also available on a first come, first serve basis from mid June through September.

Cedar Breaks boasts some of the most spectacular wildflowers and fall colors in the nation. Hundreds of thousands of guests visit the park each year. During the winter months, the scenic highway through Cedar Breaks is closed and becomes a groomed trail for snowmobiles, x-country skiing, and snowshoeing.