Visitors fortunate enough to glide quietly on cross-country skis around the rim of the amphitheatre will find the view on a clear winter day breathtaking. Ancient bristlecone pines frame vistas of snow-covered red and tan rock below, and the icy silence magnifies the majesty of the entire place. About 30 miles of marked trails and another 185 miles of backcountry routes are available in Cedar Breaks National Monument and in and around the town of Brian Head.

In the summer months, hikers can take a rugged 210-mile trail into Rattlesnake Creek and the nearby US Forest Service Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area, located on the western boundary of the national monument. The trail descends an incredible 3,400 feet into the gorge. Smart backpackers arrange to be picked up at the bottom of the hike rather than try to climb back out.

Summer visitors to Cedar Breaks often take side trips to Panguitch and Navajo lakes. Both have rustic lodges and US Forest Service campgrounds. Mountain bikers are discovering the challenging and scenic dirt roads and trails in this area.