Museums & Parks
Cedar City
Cedar City Rock Church
Considered to be the crown jewel of Cedar City’s Historic Downtown. This ornate building was built in the early 1930s from donated labor and local materials. Free tours are available by appointment only, please call (435) 586-6345.
Cedar Canyon Park and Paved Walking Trail
Open all year, weather permitting. Head east on Center Street toward Cedar Canyon. The Cedar Canyon Park is located on both sides of Coal Creek. Two pavilions are available for group gatherings. Volleyball court and playground are also available. The paved, scenic walking trail is located along the banks of Coal Creek and weaves its way up into Cedar Canyon for 3.5 miles. The trail starts at the Cedar City Baseball Complex, goes past the Cedar Canyon Park and ends just above Rusty’s Ranch House. The trail is perfect for rollerblades, bikes, and strollers.
Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Museum
Explore a fine collection of pioneer artifacts. FREE. Open all year, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday, with extended summer hours. Located inside the Cedar City Visitor Center at 581 N. Main in Cedar City. For information call (435) 586-5124.
Exit 59 Skateboard Park
Open all year, weather permitting. Located at 660 W. 954 North, next to the Bicentennial Softball Complex in Cedar City. Contact Cedar City Recreation Department at (435) 865-9223. It features several ramps and rails. Free.
Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
Experience time travel through the Homestead’s massive collection of horse-drawn vehicles. You can imagine yourself as a stage coach driver, or a pioneer crossing the plains in a covered wagon. Experience life on the frontier with interactive displays and exhibits dedicated to pioneer life. Junior curator programs and backroom tours available. Cost is $4 per person.
Open all year, Monday – Saturday. (Open Sundays and evenings in the summer.) Located at 635 N. Main. (435) 586-9290.
Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History
Visitors will experience the natural world with a gorgeous exhibit of large and small game animals. FREE. Open year-round, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, on the first floor of the Science Additions Building (southeast corner of Southern Utah University campus). For information, call (435) 865-8549.
Main Street Park
Established in 1886, the park was originally known as Liberty Park. The Liberty Flag pole located in the park’s center was erected in 1928 by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Today, the lush lawns and 100-year-old trees provide a great place for a picnic. The park also features swings, a covered pavilion and newly constructed bandstand. The park is home to several events, including Groovefest, July Jamboree, Mid Summer Renaissance Faire and the CASA Chili Cook-off. Located at the corner of Main Street and 200 North.
Park Discovery
On a hill just above Cedar City stands an assembly of wooden towers, mazes, slides, dinosaur digs, play volcanoes and rocket ships. This is Park Discovery, a fun, educational place where kids of all ages can learn and play. Concepts from over 4,000 local kids were integrated into the design concept of the park. Along with educational play elements, there’s an outdoor classroom, stage area, a separate play area for toddlers, handicap accessible ramps and swings and a ¾ paved walking trail that surrounds the park. To get to Park Discovery head west on Cross Hollow Road (I-15 Exit #57) to Royal Hunte Dr., turn right and go all the way to the top of the hill. On the left-hand side you will see the Park Discovery next to the Iron County School District building. Park Discovery is open year-round, weather permitting, every day from sunup to sundown. FREE. For more information, call (435) 865-9223.
Three Peaks Recreation Area
Open all year. Head west on Hwy. U- 56 from Cedar City to Lund Hwy., then north for about five miles to Midvalley Rd., then west for 3 miles. Contact the Bureau of Land Management, (435) 586-2401. Two pavilions are available for groups and are nice areas for picnics. Miles of mountain bike and ATV trails, and unique rock formations that are fun to explore.
Veterans Memorial Park
Established in 2006 to honor Cedar City’s veterans. Monuments have been constructed for both World Wars, the Afghanistan and Iraqi wars, as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars. The park is located next to the Canyon Trail, which is a scenic walking trail that goes up the canyon about 3 miles. The trail is perfect for bikes and strollers and has many benches where you can sit and enjoy the scenery. The Veteran’s Memorial Park is located at the corner of 200 North and 200 East.
Wood’s Ranch Recreation Area and Kids Pond
Open late May through September. Located 12 miles east of Cedar City on Hwy 14. Two pavilions are available for groups. A nice area for picnics, volleyball and hiking (Virgin River Rim Trailhead). The Kids Pond is available to kids 12 and under for free and must be accompanied by an adult with a valid Utah fishing license.
Parowan
Parowan Gap Petroglyphs
Wind, water and sand carved out this natural passageway that was once used as a major thoroughfare by ancient Native Americans. The different cultures are evident by the hundreds of petroglpyhs carved into the Gap. Researchers have identified solar and lunar calendars, hunting and cultural glyphs. The Gap also provided early civilizations with a solar and lunar calendaring system and is one of a few locations in the world where various solar time events are marked by shadows cast by the natural rock formations. The sun, moon and planets rise and set in specific notches in that Gap as indicated by petroglpyhs. It’s North America’s version of Stonehenge. Information about the Parowan Gap can be obtained from the Parowan and Iron County/Cedar City Visitor Centers. Observation events take place throughout the year, so be sure to check our calendar of events at www.ScenicSouthernUtah.com. Location: From Cedar City drive 13 miles north on Hwy U-130, head west on Parowan Gap road for 2.5 miles to Gap; or from Parowan Main Street travel west on 400 North for 10.5 miles to the Gap.
Parowan Old Rock Church
The oldest church building in southern Utah currently used as the home of the Daughters of The Utah Pioneers Museum. The museum is a history center for descendents of the early settlers and features one of the largest collections of pioneer photographs and artifacts in Southern Utah. The adjacent Jesse N. Smith Home is also interesting to explore while visiting Parowan. Located in Parowan Town Square, 100 South and Main Street.
Dr. Meeks Pioneer Farmstead and Urban Fishery
The homestead is being restored as a working pioneer farmstead by local heritage groups and agriculture students. Guided tours of the cabin, barn and outdoor learning center are available. The urban fishery is open to the public and Utah fishing regulations apply. The farmstead is open year-round and is located at the corner of 100 North 400 West. (435) 477-8190
Parowan Heritage Park
Park features a natural spring, several bronze monuments and statues. Interpretive plaques tell the history of Iron County and the pioneer settlement of the southwest. Open all year, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Located at 89 West Hwy U-91, Parowan, (435) 477-8190.
Parowan Historic Cemetery
A great place for history buffs. Features the largest collection of mid-19th century headstone artistry and craftsmanship in Southern Utah. Many of the original headstones are inscribed with words and symbols of love, hope, family and values. A self-guided walking tour brochure is available at the Parowan Visitor Center, 73 North Main, or call (435) 477-8190.
Mountain View Ranch & Carriage Museum
The Carriage Museum houses the beautifully preserved history of owner Grant Cox and his show horses & wagons. Located at 10 South 600 West, Parowan, for tours please call (702) 281-4523.
Plan Your Trips
Contact
Cedar City • Brian Head Tourism Bureau
581 N. Main
Cedar City, UT 84721
Phone
(435) 586-5124