Cedar Breaks National Monument

A ragged amphitheater of precarious sheer drops and terracotta massifs, Cedar Breaks has often been dubbed the place at which the sky ends and heaven begins. Its not hard to see why. Beyond the checkered canyons and freestanding columns, the landscape comes to a dramatic conclusion against a backdrop of cloudless blue sky and nothingness. If this is indeed the edge of the earth as the indigenous Indians foretold, your best bet is to stay upon the guard-railed peak boasting four unique vistas across the burnt orange wilderness.

Situated three hours drive from Las Vegas, just beyond the historic Zion National Park of Utah, Cedar Breaks Monument makes for an adventurous departure from the usual smattering of museums, galleries and theme parks lining the Glitter Gulch. With sandstone pillars, sheer 2,000 foot chasms and visibly moving lava flows, the landscapes surrounding the monument are an ever changing hive of activity. Spanning an area in excess of 3 square miles, Cedar Breaks Canyon features a mixed topography of Engelmann spruce forests and densely populated firs, great clearings now marking forest craters thanks to the tree-eating native bark beetle.

The Alpine Pond Trail is by far the best walking route if you're seeking out the best in bird-spotting opportunities and traces relatively low lying pathways through ancient lava fields. The infamous Yurt pod sits just beyond the halfway point along the route, offering a relaxing place to warm up in the winter and various wildlife spotting games for the kids. Spectra Point Trail lures hiking enthusiasts with rocky challenges and steep upward climbs – well worth it for the enthralling vistas across the stark red canyon. At Cedar Breaks Lodge you'll find a welcoming cafeteria and several vendors renting mountain bikes for the exhilarating trails through Dixie National Forest, along with the best views of Bryce Canyon to be had from anywhere along the 10,000 foot elevation.