Location: Brian Head
Top Things to do in Brian Head
Top Restaurants in Brian Head
The 7 Best Things to Do in Brian Head, United States
Brian Head is a town in Iron County, Utah, United States. The population was 83 at the 2010 census, a significant decrease from the 2000 figure of 118.
Restaurants in Brian Head
1. Brian Head Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 252 reviews
Winter and summer resort offering downhill and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, and mountain biking, hiking, and ATV riding during the summer months.
Reviewed By robertnam - Los Angeles, California
Our go to ski area has been Mammoth but the prices are entering into the 'insane' area where it really doesn't make sense. $160+ for lift tickets? Diminishing returns. Brian Head was only $70+ for lift tickets. About 1-1/2 hours longer to get there than Mammoth but snow is great and easy to get to. Only down side is it's a lot smaller than Mammoth, however if you are beginner or intermediate, there's enough ski area to keep you busy and best part is the smaller crowds.
2. Thunder Mountain Motorsports, Inc.
Overall Ratings
5 based on 55 reviews
Scenic guided snowmobile tours through the back country of Brian Head, Utah. Experience the awe of nature in winter on a snowmobile with an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Service, repairs, parts and accessories also available.
Reviewed By Shaun H
Wow! What an amazing day! We rented three snowmobiles and we're lucky enough to get Cache as our tour guide. I am sure the other guides would have been great too. We did the 90 minute tour. Cache was nice enough to patiently teach six,...MoreSo glad we could make this experience fun for your family.
3. Cedar Breaks National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 989 reviews
A smaller version of Bryce Canyon, this 2,500-foot deep basin filled with strange limestone formations in a vivid array of colors and hues offers breathtaking views on a five-mile drive along the rim. This naturally formed amphitheater has guided walks in the summer and a few designated hiking trails.
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, Arizona
We have been to Cedar Breaks on two separate visits 30 years apart, and we love it there. The vibrant vermilion "hoodoo" rock formations are very similar to those at Bryce Canyon National Park, but are concentrated in a smaller area. Cedar Breaks is less well-known and therefore less crowded than Bryce Canyon. I don't think that the commercial tour buses visiting "The Mighty 5" parks stop there, possibly because the roads to get there (Utah State Routes 14 or 143) are curvy two-lane mountain roads. The park is compact; you can spend as little as 30 minutes if you just want to peek at some overlooks, or as much as 1-2 days if you want to camp and hike. We spent about 2.5 hours there to visit all the overlooks and take a hike. The elevation at Cedar Breaks is over 10,000', so the temperatures are much cooler up there than in the surrounding valleys. The park is prone to winter weather, and the scenic access road (Utah State Route 148) is typically closed from late-October through mid-May. [Note that winter sports like skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiliing are permitted but facilities are closed; see website.] Unless you're planning to visit in summer, I strongly suggest checking the park website to make sure it's open. It was September both times we visited. The first time we went it was the end of the month and the park was open but it was 29 degrees, windy and snowing! On our recent trip, we visited on a Tuesday morning about the second week of the month. There were rain showers in the forecast and it was cool, but pleasant for hiking.
There is not a lodge or restaurant at Cedar Breaks. There's a campground that is open in summer, other than that the closest services are at Brian Head ski area (4-5 miles), Cedar City (20-25 miles), and Duck Creek Village (about 15 miles). We stayed at Cedar City and drove up the mountain on UT14 through Cedar Canyon first thing in the morning. It was a very scenic drive - I wish we had waited until the sun was a little higher in the sky because the canyon was still somewhat shaded by the surrounding mountains. This route passes Cedar Canyon Overlook about 17 miles east of Cedar City, where the Bristlecone Pine Trail leads .3 mile one-way to a panoramic view south toward Zion National Park (not wheelchair accessible).
The scenic access road for Cedar Breaks is UT148, a 7.5 mile, two-lane paved road that runs north-south between UT14 and UT143. It skirts the eastern rim of the massive bowl-shaped amphitheater and leads to 4 overlooks of the enchanting hoodoos below. The visitor center is located at the southern end of the road at Point Supreme Overlook, where visitors are expected to show NPS passes or pay the entrance fee ($6/person, age 15 and under free). It's typically open 9:00am-6pm, providing maps, information, souvenirs and restrooms. The overlooks are all worth the time to stop, offering different vantage points of the amazing geologic formations. Walkways are short, paved and suitable for wheelchairs.
We parked at Point Supreme and checked out the overlook and visitor center, then followed the paved trail across the road to the campground and picnic area where we connected to the newly-paved Sunset Trail. This path winds through alpine meadow, evergreen and aspen trees to the Sunset View Overlook. There were wildflowers all along the way, and we were enchanted by the friendly golden-mantled ground squirrels that were scurrying everywhere. It was quiet in the morning - we only saw one other couple the whole way. The walking distance from the visitor center to Sunset View is about 2-2.5 miles round trip. There are some gradual grades but it's suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Before setting off to hike, you should be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness (headache, shortness of breath, fatigue). Go slow and drink plenty of fluids. Note that pets are only allowed on the paved trail between the visitor center and campground.
Two additional hiking trails are available in the park (not wheelchair accessible). The Ramparts Trail starts at Point Supreme parking lot and leads along the rim to Spectra Point and Ramparts Overlook for views of the amphitheater and bristlecone pine trees (4 miles round-trip, steep grades). The Alpine Pond Trail is a 2-mile loop with trail heads at Chessmen Ridge Overlook on its south end and along the scenic drive on its north end (about a mile north of Chessmen).
After enjoying our hike and all the overlooks at Cedar Breaks, we ventured just about a mile north of the North View Overlook to Brian Head Peak (see separate reviews of Brian Head Peak Observation). This attraction is not part of the National Monument but is right next to it and well-worth the time! Access is via Forest Road 047 which is a dirt and gravel road that climbs steeply around the edge of the mountain peak for 2.7 miles to an elevation of 11,307' for spectacular views of 3 states. After consulting the rangers at Cedar Breaks about road condition, we attempted this drive in a low-clearance 2WD car. The views were worth it, but the road was quite rough and rutted and we had to go very slow.
From Brian Head we set out eastward for Panguitch and Bryce Canyon via the Patchwork Parkway scenic drive (UT143) through the Dixie National Forest; see separate reviews of "Brian Head-Panquitch Lake Scenic Byway".
4. Dixie National Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 283 reviews
A two-million acre national forest replete with natural wonders, "The Dixie" has deep canyons, fascinating rock formations, mountains, lakes and towering ponderosa pines. Visitors can hike, fish, camp or simply immerse themselves in the natural beauty.
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, Arizona
Dixie National Forest covers a huge area of public land in southwestern Utah and includes some of its best-loved attractions. The forest is divided into four diverse districts: Pine Valley, Cedar City, Powell and Escalante. [Note that while this Tripadvisor page has Dixie Forest listed under Things to Do in Cedar City, only the Pine Valley and Cedar City Districts are close to that town.] We had the pleasure of taking a road trip through the area for several days in mid-September. The weather was perfect that time of year and the scenery was spectacular! Dixie has something for everyone: pine and aspen forest, lakes, rocky canyons, waterfalls, alpine mountain peaks, historic sites, and colorful rock formations. There are many opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, bicycling, fishing, horseback riding, skiing and OHV and back-country touring. We didn't experience any bad traffic congestion, and the only crowds of tourists we encountered were at Bryce Canyon*. Don't be in a rush when traveling this area; the roads are two-lane with some sections of grades and mountain curves.
(* indicates Tripadvisor has a separate review page for this attraction)
After visiting the north rim of Grand Canyon* and Zion National Park*, we stayed overnight at Cedar City. From there we took the scenic drive east into the forest on Utah State Route 14, which climbs steadily through the sandstone cliffs of Cedar Canyon and past the the coral-striped ridges of Blowhard Mountain to Cedar Canyon Overlook. There, the Bristlecone Pine Trail leads .3 mile one-way to a panoramic view south toward Zion National Park (not wheelchair accessible, but there were views from the road). We drove State Route 148 north and spent the morning hiking and enjoying the overlooks at Cedar Breaks National Monument* and Brian Head Observation Point*. Next we followed State Route 143, the Patchwork Parkway Scenic Byway (listed on Tripadvisor as "Brian Head-Panguitch Lake Scenic Byway"), east through the aspen trees passing lava fields and Panguitch Lake. It was sad to see the aftermath of the devastating Brian Head fire last summer, but fortunately some of the forest survived the blaze. After eating lunch in Panguitch, where the whole town center is a historic district, we took US89 south to Highway 12 Scenic Byway* and headed east. This incredibly beautiful route passes through the stunning Red Canyon*, where we stopped at the visitor center and hiked among splendid orange rock formations. We spent the entire next day exploring the renowned Bryce Canyon National Park* before pressing eastward on Highway 12. It ventures through more awesome scenery as it passes through sections of Dixie Forest and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument*.
This part of the country is rich with amazing, extraordinary landscapes, and it's easy to see why it has been preserved for everyone to enjoy. We have taken numerous road trips all over the U.S. and this territory remains one of our utmost favorite regions.
5. Brian Head Peak Observation
Overall Ratings
5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, Arizona
We visited this viewpoint after exploring Cedar Breaks National Monument. It's not inside that park, but it is adjacent to it in the Dixie National Forest. The access road to the observation point is called Brian Head Peak Road (Forest Road 047) and the turn-off is located on the east side of Utah State Route 143, 1.4 miles north of the intersection of with UT148 (about .8 mile north of the North View Overlook at Cedar Breaks). It's easy to spot because Brian Head is the highest point around at 11,307'. A small brown park-service sign on the roadside says "Vista Point: Brian Head Peak". The driveway to the peak is a dirt and gravel road that is 2.7 miles one-way and spirals around the edge of the mountain. We visited in mid-September in a standard low-clearance 2WD passenger car and were concerned about the condition of the road, so we talked to the friendly rangers at the visitor center in Cedar Breaks. They assured us that it was passable and we decided to go for it. The lower part of the road where the grades were more gradual was not too bad, but as the slope became steeper the surface deteriorated. There were sections that were washboard, and we had to go slowly and pick our way carefully around ruts and large rocks because we didn't want to bottom out or damage our low-profile tires. I don't recommend this route for drivers who are not confident in their skill, or those who are uncomfortable with heights and steep drop-offs. There is a trail head for the Marathon Trail about 2/3 of the way up the mountain, with a parking area and a restroom. The worst section of road was beyond that, and we saw another couple had parked there and walked the remaining .8 mile up the roadway to the top. I didn't have that option using a wheelchair, but once we accomplished the climb I was able to get out of the car at the peak and visit the observation point (with some assistance) via a 300' hard-packed dirt and gravel path. The views are astounding - a 360 degree panorama for miles in every direction! Alpine meadows below were full of grazing sheep. An educational sign at the summit states that it's possible to see into 3 states: Utah, Nevada and Arizona. We could see the coral glow of Cedar Breaks to the south. There are no trees at the apex, just rocky terrain with a sparse covering of grass. A charming open-air stone chalet built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935 provides shelter from the intense sun and wind. This would be a nice place for a picnic! We really enjoyed this adventure and were glad we went despite the arduous climb - I would rate this attraction higher if the road was paved or in better condition.
6. Brianhead Sports
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Brianhead Sports is your one-stop shop for outdoor rentals, gear and clothing conveniently located at the base of Brian Head Ski area. Knowledgeable staff will quickly have you in and out with whatever it is you need...rental skis, new boots, a warmer coat, sunglasses, snowshoes, helmet.
Reviewed By June F - Largs, United Kingdom
All our family used Brianhead sports for our ski hire during our recent stay. The prices are reasonable and the staff are VERY helpful. The shop also has a good selection of ski/snowboarding equipment and clothing to buy at reasonable prices.
7. Bunker Creek Trail
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
The area offers a variety of dramatic single and double track trails, with a diversity of scenery. It is considered one of Brian Head's best trails.
Reviewed By Billion_Miler - Salt Lake City, Utah
This trail must have had a lot of erosion recently? The plateau section from Brianhead Peak to Sidney Valley Rd is fun, but OMG, the rider's Left fork, which is called the Right Fork was technical and steep, not what I'd call an intermediate trail at all. We didn't ride the other fork so can't comment on it, but if you ride the downhill left fork, be careful. Lots of loose rocks and pretty challenging.
Utah Mountain Biking site calls this a 'Must Ride Classic' and it may have been at one time, but it is in need of some serious trail work to get back to that class.
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