Skip to main content
Recreation AreaRecreation.gov

Cedar Mesa SRMA

Blanding, Utah · San Juan County

Cedar Mesa is a popular area for hiking and backpacking to see Ancestral Puebloan cliff ruins and rock art in a natural setting. Many miles of spectacular canyons lined with cliffs cut across the mesa. Some ruins are amazingly inaccessible, perched high on ledges and under overhangs. On its eastern edge the mesa's capr…

Advertisement
37.52445, -109.89578
Open in OpenStreetMap

About Cedar Mesa SRMA

Cedar Mesa is a popular area for hiking and backpacking to see Ancestral Puebloan cliff ruins and rock art in a natural setting. Many miles of spectacular canyons lined with cliffs cut across the mesa. Some ruins are amazingly inaccessible, perched high on ledges and under overhangs. On its eastern edge the mesa's caprock dips sharply downward toward Comb Wash. Many canyons cut through this area. Other attractions include the scenery and wildlife, as well as the solitude of desert canyons.

How to Get There

Access to the area is from State Highway 95 (SR 95) between Blanding and Hite, or on SR 261 between SR 95 and Mexican Hat. The Kane Gulch Ranger Station is on SR 261 about four miles south of the junction with SR 95. The trailhead is located adjacent to the Kane Gulch ranger station which has a paved parking lot and restroom. Dirt roads lead to many trailheads at the heads of canyons and at the mouths of some canyons draining off the east side of the mesa into Comb Wash. Many of these roads can be recommended only for high clearance vehicles. Detailed maps showing road access are available at the offices of the BLM or the U.S. Forest Service in Monticello, at the Blanding Visitor Center, the Monticello Multi-Agency Visitor Center or the Moab Information Center, and at the Canyonlands Natural History Association.

Driving directions (Google Maps) →

Plan Your Visit to Cedar Mesa SRMA

Heading to Cedar Mesa SRMA? A few things to know before you go:

  • Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
  • Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
  • Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
  • Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
  • Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation for Cedar Mesa SRMA?

No central reservation system listed for Cedar Mesa SRMA. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/16412) for the latest entry policy and availability.

How do I get to Cedar Mesa SRMA?

Access to the area is from State Highway 95 (SR 95) between Blanding and Hite, or on SR 261 between SR 95 and Mexican Hat. The Kane Gulch Ranger Station is on SR 261 about four miles south of the junction with SR 95. The trailhead is located adjacent to the Kane Gulch ranger station which has a paved parking lot and restroom. Dirt roads lead to many trailheads at the heads of canyons and at the mo…

How do I contact Cedar Mesa SRMA?

You can reach the park at phone: 435-587-1500 or email: utmtmail@blm.gov.