Cedar Breaks NM News Release
For Immediate Release Contact: Daphne Sewing 435-586-9451 ext. 4425
Deep Snow Further Delays Opening Date for Cedar Breaks National Monument
CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT, UTAH. Opening the park road and visitor facilities at Cedar Breaks National Monument has been delayed at least one to two more weeks. The slow melting rate and the vast amount of snow yet to be removed from roadways, parking lots, and facilities have hampered efforts to open the park. The new target date is June 17.
“Visitor safety is our number one priority for deciding when to open the park ,” said Park Superintendent Paul Roelandt. “The scenic road through the park still has areas where lanes are partially blocked by snow or where visibility around curves is hampered by drifts of ten feet or more.”
The Cedar Breaks Visitor Center will open for the season after the road through the park re-opens. The campground normally opens by mid-June, but with the unusually high amount of snow, campers should call the park ahead of their visit and check on the status of campsites as well as other visitor facilities.
“The `upside’ to the slow rate of snowmelt and the additional moisture should be a fantastic wildflower bloom, ” said Daphne Sewing, Chief of Education and Partnerships. “However, it also means a later than normal peak bloom, so we decided to delay the beginning of the Wildflower Festival by one week.” Wildflower hikes, led by park volunteers and rangers, will be offered twice daily beginning July 8.
Questions regarding the status of the Cedar Breaks Scenic Drive and visitor facilities may be directed to the park’s headquarters office in Cedar City at (435) 586-9451. Once the park opens, visitors can call the visitor center directly at 435-586-0787, ext. 0, to inquire about park events and recreational opportunities. The Cedar Breaks website, www.nps.gov/cebr, has visitor information for trip planning as well as program and event schedules.