- Snowpack is below average for mid-December 2025.
- Some winter recreation is limited to protect sensitive landscapes.
- State Route 148 remains open, though seasonal facilities are closed.
- Ranger-guided snowshoe tours are scheduled to begin in January.
Monday, December 22, 2025 — As of Wednesday, December 17, Cedar Breaks National Monument is experiencing lower-than-average snowpack for this time of year, according to a National Park Service update
issued from Cedar City, Utah. While winter weather is present at the high-elevation monument, snowfall has not yet reached levels typically seen in mid-December.
State Route 148 remains open through the monument, allowing vehicle access across the plateau. Several seasonal facilities are closed for the winter, including the Cedar Breaks Visitor Center, the Zion Forever Project Store, the Human History Museum, and all flush restrooms at the visitor center. These closures are part of standard winter operations.
Low Snowpack Limits Certain Recreation.
Because snow depth remains limited, snowmobiling is currently prohibited within monument boundaries. Park officials state that this restriction helps protect natural resources, particularly fragile high-elevation meadow ecosystems that are normally insulated by deeper snow cover during winter months.
When snowpack is shallow, soils and vegetation are more vulnerable to damage from mechanized use. Restrictions will remain in place until conditions improve.
Snowshoe Tours Planned for January.
Despite current snow conditions, Cedar Breaks National Monument has opened registration for ranger-guided snowshoe tours. These guided hikes are scheduled to begin the first weekend of January 2026 and will be offered on Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
Each tour is approximately one mile round-trip and typically lasts between one hour and one and one-half hours. Snowshoes and ski poles are provided. All snowshoe tours are weather- and snowpack-dependent and may be canceled if conditions do not allow for safe travel.
Seasonal Management and Visitor Planning.
Park staff thanked visitors for their cooperation as winter conditions continue to develop. Managing recreation during periods of low snowpack is part of seasonal operations at high-elevation parks and reflects the need to balance access with resource protection.
Snow conditions can change rapidly at nearly 10,000 feet in elevation. Additional snowfall later in the winter could expand recreational opportunities, while continued dry conditions may require ongoing restrictions.
