I Heart Southern Utah

August 18, 2008

Above: Kolab Canyon.

I just spent a few days in Utah.

I’m growing more and more fond of Utah every year. Whenever I visit, it’s during Summer, when it’s unbearably hot in Vegas. The cooler temperatures of Utah make me want to stay there all Summer. It is, however, colder during Winter, so I’m not certain I’d want to live in Utah year-round. But it’s a perfect Summer retreat.

During this trip, we went to Cedar City for the Shakespearean Festival (http://bard.org/) and during our trip, we visited Cedar Breaks and Kolab Canyon. Kolab is a part of Zion that is very accessible from Interstate 15, right on the drive from Vegas to Cedar City. From the visitor center, it’s just a quick five miles up to the overlook, where you can have a picnic lunch or take a hike. (Dogs aren’t allowed on the trails, though, so no hiking for our little Floyd.)

Above: Kolab Canyon.

Cedar Breaks is a little further, but still less than an hour’s drive from Cedar City. Again, it’s a great spot for picnic lunches or hikes. There is one short trail that allows dogs, the other trails don’t allow dogs. During the Summer the wildflowers are in bloom and the whole area is filled with color from yellow, red, and purple flowers to yellow, red, and purple rock. It’s absolutely stunning.

Above: Lucy and Floyd on a hike in Cedar Breaks.

By the way, both locations are in the National Parks System, so a parks pass is a good idea. They cost around $55 for a year. Or, you can bring along a senior citizen. They can buy a lifetime parks pass for only $10. Whoever is in the vehicle with them gets in the park, too.

(My mom, Judith Lautner, took these photos above.)

Posted by Elaine Vigneault | Filed Under Las Vegas, Travel, cedar breaks, cedar city, kolab canyon, utah, vacation