Spectra Point is a highlight along the South Rim Trail and an easy hike in Cedar Breaks National Monument just east of Cedar City, Utah. It is over 10,000 feet elevation, so it offers cooler temperatures in summertime and is closed in winter.
Directions
If coming from the north, take exit 78 off I-15 at Parowan, Utah. You will be on Main Street for 1.2 miles. Turn left onto Center Street for 0.3 mile and then take UT-143. After sixteen miles, the road changes into UT-148. Continue about 5 miles to the Point Supreme parking lot.
If you are coming from the south, take I-15 north and then exit 57 in Cedar City. Head east on Main Street for 2.1 miles and then turn right to continue east on Center Street. It soon turns into UT-14. Follow it for 17.3 miles and then turn left onto UT-148 for three miles to the Point Supreme parking area.
Driving through Cedar Breaks is beautiful. These photos were taken as a passenger in a moving car. It was mid-July and the wildflowers were in their prime!
The Point Supreme Visitor’s Center is currently under construction (2024), but we could still hike along the South Rim Trail to Spectra Point from the parking lot.
Within a couple minutes you see beyond the trees into the spectacular Cedar Breaks Amphitheater!
The red hoodoos are very similar to Bryce Canyon National Park over an hour away.
This is a smaller scale, but still very impressive.
This trail has big drop-offs, so hold onto little ones. It is high elevation, so it’s possible to feel more winded than you would on other hikes. It’s a pretty easy trail though.
This view of the amphitheater is in view of the trail!
The elevation is great on hot days. We hiked it on a day that was 113° F in St. George, but it was a comfortable 72° at Cedar Breaks.
The wildflowers were blooming and so gorgeous!
The contrast between the red rocks and flowers is stunning!
We saw some ravens, mountain chickadees, and chipmunks along the trail.
The trail is so lovely!
The views are incredible!
Close to Spectra Point there are some Bristlecone Pines. These trees can live up to 5,000 years!
You can look down into Cedar City in the distance!
At Spectra Point there is a little railing and 360° views!
Here are more views of incredible Cedar Breaks along the Spectra Point Trail!
Stats: Distance – 1.9 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 30-90 minutes
Elevation gain – 393 feet
Difficulty – Easy
Trail – well maintained trail of dirt and rocks
Bathrooms – Yes
Seasons to hike – May-October (road closes in winter)
Permits needed – $25 per vehicle for 7-day pass or National Parks Pass
Pets allowed – No
Nearby places include Parowan Gap Petroglyphs, Hidden Haven Waterfall, Kanarra Falls, and Timbercreek Overlook.
