Just a few hours north of Las Vegas, is a whole wonderland of canyons. There has been record heat this July from Las Vegas, Saint George, Cedar City and Salt Lake City, Utah. Huge wildfires as well, with the Milford Flats fire being the largest Utah has ever seen. The fire is under control now.

When I arrived in Las Vegas, the heat hit records of 114 degrees. I stayed for a few days and headed north to Utah. I am posting from Cedar City, Utah. As always, there is lots going on around Cedar City, Utah. Glen Campbell and his daughter Debby Campbell is doing a benefit concert July 19th at the SUU Centrun Arena. It will benefit the Iron County Care & Share food bank. Glen Campbell is a country music legend known as the Rhinestone Cowboy, with many hit songs that have been played for four decades.

The Neil Simon Festival opens July 19th at the Heritage Theatre and features Eddie Mekka, who is well known as Carmine Ragusa of the Laverne & Shirley TV show. The website is at www.simonfest.org.

Being so hot, here are a couple of ideas to cool down:

If you’re visiting the Cedar City, Utah area or Brian Head, Utah area and need some ideas to cool off, here are a couple of quick trips. Cedar City, Utah has several city parks. Here is the park information from cedarcity.org website.

West Canyon Park

400 E 200 S. 7 Acres.
Facilities: Pavilion, Volleyball, Restrooms, Playground Equipment, Water, Electric Outlets, Lighting, Barbecue Area, Barbecue Pits, Barbecue Grill, Benches, Tables, Horseshoe Pits, access to the Coal Creek Trail.

Coal Creek Trail

The Parklands path currently runs from the baseball park on 200 North through West Canyon Park and up the canyon approximately two miles. The paved trail parallels Coal Creek and is furnished at intervals with benches and water fountains. Native plants, trees and wildflowers bloom along the scenic pathway, where walkers, joggers and families enjoy fresh air and exercise in a natural outdoor setting.1.9 miles plus .6 miles recently added on.
Facilities: Benches, Water

East Canyon Park

500 E Center St. 3 Acres.
Facilities: Pavilion, Volleyball, Restrooms, Playground Equipment, Water, Electric Outlets, Barbecue Grill, Barbecue Pits, Benches, Tables, Horseshoe Pits

I headed up Cedar Mountain on 14 East looking for a place to cool off a bit. There wasn’t enough shade for me. It was a hot afternoon, but I splashed around in Coal Creek for a few minutes. Here’s a pic.

Then a day or two later on another hot day. I continued up the mountain for a visit to Navajo Lake. Being up on the mountain. It was much cooler. The water was cold and it was a bit windy. There were lots of people fishing and a couple of boats on the lake. Along the trip to Navajo Lake we saw many lava flow areas of lava rock and lava beds. As well as a viewing area for a volcanic cinder cone.

The cinder cone is located east of Cedar City, Utah, on the western Markagunt Plateau. The Virgin River is born here, springing from the cliffs on the south end of the Plateau before making its way into the slot canyons and cliffs of Zion National Park. The Markagunt Plateau contains the following wilderness areas, Mineral Canyon, Bear Valley Peak - Little Creek Peak, Butler Peak, Bunker Creek - Horse Valley Peak, Sidney Peaks, Ashdown Gorge Expansions, Hancock, Lava Beds, Hatch Mountain, Gooseberry Point, Pink Cliffs, and Dairy Canyon. The Markagunt Plateau is one of Utah’s highest and largest plateaus. The name comes from an indian term meaning highland of trees.

The lake is located in Dixie National Forest, just a few miles from Cedar Breaks National Monument and the trip takes you through high alpine meadows. It is 1,500 acres, about 3 miles long and stocked with trout. Navajo Lake was formed thousands of years ago when a lava flow blocked the end of the valley. After thousands of years it is still blocked. Here is a picture of Navajo Lake, Utah.

Another picture of Navajo Lake, Utah.

I read that the Paiute Indians had named it Pa-Cu-Ay, which meant Cloud Lake. The name was changed later.

Cascade Falls and Mammoth Caves are close by. There are hiking and mountain biking trails near by.

Cascade Falls hiking trail is a one mile, round trip hike that leads you to a waterfall that is the outlet of Navajo Lake with viewsof the Zion/Kolob Terrace.

Virgin River Rim Trail is a 32 mile moderate trail that’s good for hiking, mountain biking and horses where you will see Cascade Falls and Strawberry Point trails.

Navajo Loop is a winding 12 mile loop for mountain biking around the lake that’s great for novices with just a few climbs.

Marathon Trail is a 27 mile advance bike route from Navajo Lake to Brian Head. The trail head is located at Te Ah campground.

The area is a great place to cool off on a hot day, with lots of activities for year round outdoor recreation.
The website at southernutahtours invite’s Utah groups to forward us their news to share here with our readers as well as at our outdoor recreation message board at