Brian Head Lodge offers a refreshing summer alternative to Utah’s desert heat. Set above 10,000 feet, this alpine retreat pairs cool temperatures, uncrowded trails and outdoor adventures with easy access to Cedar Breaks National Monument, making it an ideal base for families, solo travelers and anyone craving fresh air and wide-open views.
Highlights
- A Cool Mountain Escape: High elevation brings crisp air, fewer crowds and relief from Southern Utah’s summer heat.
- Adventure for All Ages: Hiking, chairlift rides, biking, zip lines and nearby national monuments make it ideal for families and multigenerational trips.
- Comfort Meets Convenience: Spacious rooms, onsite dining, spa amenities and strong safety features make Brian Head Lodge a relaxing home base.
Editor’s Note: The writer was hosted.
Why Brian Head Lodge is Great to Visit in the Summer
As a 50+ solo female traveler who’s explored much of the United States, I’ve visited mountain towns from coast to coast. Brian Head, Utah, stands out. At elevations exceeding 10,000 feet, this quiet alpine escape offers cool summer air, wide-open trails, and little traffic.
I felt safe, welcomed, and surrounded by natural beauty. Just minutes away, Cedar Breaks National Monument stuns with fiery red rock formations and meadows bursting with wildflowers. I visited in summer — no snow, just sunshine and views for miles.
Here’s why Brian Head Lodge makes the perfect base for your next high-elevation getaway.
Audience
While I traveled to Brian Head solo, this region of Utah offers stunning geological formations that impress all ages. It’s ideal for multigenerational trips, parents with children and teens, and everyone who loves the outdoors.
Pros
- Cool summer escape from desert heat
- Outdoor adventures galore – hiking, scenic drives, chairlift rides, zip line, mountain biking
- Close to Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Uncrowded and calmer pace
- Lower chance of snow during the summer
Cons
- Altitude may cause headaches, poor sleep, and shortness of breath.
- Shorter shoulder seasons
- Unpredictable weather
- Nightlife options are limited
- Fewer choices for dining and shopping
SheBuysTravel Tip: Brian Head is at an elevation of 10,152 feet above sea level. You may feel lethargic, have difficulty breathing, and experience headaches due to reduced oxygen levels. To lessen the chances of altitude sickness, stay hydrated and avoid alcohol on the first day.
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Accommodations
Brian Head Lodge & Spa, an upscale timber-and-stone building with 100 rooms, is perfect for unwinding after a day outdoors.
The spacious king bedroom offers comfortable sleeping and plenty of room to spread out. Wide hallways and an elevator make accessing the rooms easy.
Dining
The Lift Bar & Patio features giant windows with amazing views, a fireplace, and a bar serving beers, wine, and spirits. Breakfast is served on weekends; appetizers, burgers, and entrees are available daily.
Amenities
The Brian Head Lodge Fitness Center, indoor handicapped-accessible swimming pool, and outdoor hot tub are open from 7 am to 11 pm.
Safety Features
- Accessible and spacious lobby
- Interior elevator to guest rooms
- Well-lit self-parking lot
What’s Nearby
Things To Do In Brian Head, Utah
Summer activities at Brian Head resort include:
- Scenic chairlift rides
- Lift-served mountain biking
- Disc golf
- Bungee trampoline
- Zip line
- Climbing wall
- Tubing hill
- Signature events and live music
SheBuysTravel Tip: In summer, many family-friendly activities start at the Giant Steps base area.
Brian Head Town Trail parallels Highway 143. Trailheads are at Aspen Drive and Hwy 143 and Bear Flat Campground. The trail offers bicycle and pedestrian access to restaurants, condos, and shops.
Giant Steps Express offers high-speed lift access to the bike park. It’s fun to watch the mountain bikers load their bikes and hop on the chairlift for their next run down the mountain.
Things To Do In Cedar City, Utah
Located in downtown Cedar City, Centro Woodfired Pizzeria’s proximity to the Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre made my theater night easy and delicious. The easy walk along well-lit streets made me feel safe as I returned to my vehicle after the performance.
The Greenshow fosters the tradition of “gather on the grass.” In Shakespeare’s time, people watched theater in the open air, communally, with the energy close to the performers.
- Free
- Family-friendly
- Outdoor entertainment – music, dancing, storytelling on the lawn
- 30 minutes before Utah Shakespeare Festival night – starts at 7:10 pm
- Located at the Ashton Family Greenshow Commons
SheBuysTravel Tip: Arrive early if you want a front-area spot on the lawn. Bring a wrap for the cooler evening and a blanket or cushion to sit on the grass – only a few benches are available.
The Engelstad Shakespeare Theatre, home to the Utah Shakespeare Festival, offers a lineup of professional actors and stage managers who are members of the Actors’ Equity Association for festival performances. Members of the Southern Utah University Fellowship Program also perform.
The theatre replicates the look and feel of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, featuring:
- A thrust stage
- Vomitoria (openings that run through the audience seating that provide dramatic entrances and exits, not a place where people go to vomit)
- Balcony seating
- Elizabethan-style architecture
Visit IG Winery for wine tasting, or classes in chocolate and wine pairing, cookie decorating, or painting. Be sure to bring a sweater, as the classes are held in the 60-degree, climate-controlled room with stainless-steel wine tanks.
Things to Do at Cedar Breaks National Monument
Seasonal visiting (late May to mid-October) at Cedar Breaks National Monument includes:
- Amphitheatre viewing from four overlooks
- Human History Museum at Point Supreme Overlook
- Visitor Center
- Bristlecone Pine viewing
- Hiking
- Camping and picnicking
- Dark Sky viewing
SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring a jacket during the summer. Even though the sun is shining, the biting wind at the overlooks made it a chilly spot to stop and enjoy the scenery.
Getting There
Unless you drive yourself, plan to rent a car so you can get around the area. Don’t expect to find rideshare services like Uber and Lyft easily accessible here.
Fly
The nearest airport to Brian Head is Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC), approximately 32 miles away and a 45-minute drive. Fly into Cedar City with easy connections through Salt Lake City and Las Vegas.
Drive
Take Interstate 15 and head up the mountain at Parowan for a 20-minute ride, about 13 miles to Brian Head. Use caution for a couple of hairpin turns on the road, particularly while driving at night.
Train
Amtrak offers two cross-country trains, the California Zephyr (closest station Salt Lake City) and the Southwest Chief (closest station Flagstaff). Both are a few hours’ drive away from Brian Head.
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