Cedar Mesa is a juniper and pinyon studded highland in southern Utah known for its concentration of Ancestral Puebloan sites. Grand Gulch and its tributaries form an extensive drainage network that houses rock art, artifacts, and cliff dwellings.
Kane Gulch Ranger Station, located at the Grand Gulch Trailhead, should be your first stop when visiting Cedar Mesa or Bears Ears National Monument. The station has archaeological exhibits and interpretive displays, in addition to staff that can answer your questions and give hiking recommendations. Permits are required for exploring Cedar Mesa — you can get day use permits at the trailheads or ranger station, but day-of overnight backpacking permits must be obtained at the ranger station (or reserved by phone up to 90 days in advance).
The station also shows a video that explains culturally sensitive visitation of archaeological sites, which is required for all overnight backpackers.
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Wondering how to get a permit to hike and camp in Grand Canyon National Park? Let's break it down.
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