CEDAR CITY — Seasonal snowmobile trails will close Thursday, April 27, at Cedar Breaks National Monument, but other winter activities remain available.
According to a news release, the closure is necessary to begin preparing for the 2023 summer season, including plowing the park road and removing winter operations signage. Snowmobile use inside Cedar Breaks National Monument is restricted to the designated trail along Rim Road (the road through the park).
Visitors are welcome to continue snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the park while sufficient snow remains and are advised to watch for equipment operating on the road.
Snowshoe and ski participants are reminded of the following, according to the National Park Service:
- Do not snowshoe or walk directly on ski tracks.
- Skiers/snowshoers going uphill yield to those going downhill.
- Fill in depressions in the snow after falling to reduce hazards to others.
- If you find the trail too difficult, turn back. Please do not take your skis off to walk up or down hills as the holes you will leave are very dangerous for other skiers. If you decide to continue, turn sideways, dig ski edges into the slope and sidestep either up or down the hill.
- Ski single-file, facing traffic to avoid accidents.
Though snow-clearing operations are currently underway, there is no projected reopening date for Rim Road to vehicular traffic.
The National Park Service expects another busy season at Cedar Breaks. Point Supreme will remain closed until Aug. 22 as construction resumes on the new visitor contact station.
Summer services will resume June 16. The campground will open June 30. Additional information on the summer season will be released in the coming weeks.
According to the news release, Cedar Breaks was “established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 … [and] preserves the multicolored geologic spectacle of the Cedar Breaks amphitheater, scenic vistas and natural and cultural resources of scientific interest for public appreciation, education, recreation and enjoyment.”