COME CLIMB THE CEDAR CITY LIGHTHOUSE
Now open to the public to climb for a limited time!
Cedar City Lighthouse Climb Activity Details
The Cedar City Lighthouse in Utah offers a unique stop with stunning desert views and a bit of local charm. Situated on a hill, it provides panoramic vistas of red rock landscapes and distant mountains, perfect for photography. While it’s not a traditional working lighthouse, its picturesque setting makes it a peaceful landmark.
Come visit the lighthouse for a limited time. It will be open Fridays and Saturday in September and then only for special events. Walk through the attraction, head up to the balcony, and capture photos!
You have the chance to climb the lighthouse at your own pace and take in the gorgeous natural surroundings.
Want something extra special? How about a night climb up to the top of the lighthouse? Come see Cedar City and the night sky lit up with our after dark night climbs.
How about date night at the lighthouse? What’s more romantic than that? Guests can book the lighthouse so you can have the place all to yourselves. 2-8 people allowed in your party per hour booking.
If you are interested in making your night extra special with a sweetheart table set up we can do that! We have partnered with Timeless Moment Rentals and can make your night perfect. A 2 hour minimum is required for this option. Contact us by calling or texting 435-619-5501 to customize your date night and for pricing.
You MUST be at the lighthouse at least 10 minutes prior to your ticket time.
Special requirements
-Children 5-11 years of age must be accompanied by an adult who is 16 years of age or older.
Disclaimers
The lighthouses may close at any time if weather conditions are unsafe.
There is no air conditioning and no elevator in the lighthouse. It may be noisy, humid, hot and dim inside the lighthouse. Visitors with heart, respiratory or other medical conditions, or who have trouble climbing stairs, should use their own discretion as to whether to climb the lighthouse.
Lighthouse climbs are strenuous! The Cedar City Providence Lighthouse has about 120 steps from the ground to the top, equal to climbing an 8-story building. The narrow stairs have a handrail only on one side.
In the event of a thunderstorm:
If there is lightning within 10 miles of the lighthouse OR you can hear thunder, climbs are still allowed but visitors must stay inside. Allowed to the balcony will not be allowed. There are no weather-related refunds.
Restrictions
-Due to the nature of the climb, children under the age of 5 are not permitted to make the climb to the top.
-Each climber must be at least 42″ (107cm) tall and capable of climbing all steps on his or her own.
-You must weigh less than 260lbs.
-No person may be lifted or carried.
-Running, jumping, or stomping on stairs and landings is prohibited.
-Do not eat, drink (except water), smoke or chew tobacco.
-Climbers can bring water in a non-glass, sealable container.
-No pets allowed.
-Shoes required; No bare feet or heels over 1-½” (3.8 cm) high.
-Leave umbrellas, backpacks, tripods, coolers, beach bags, surfboards, fishing poles, anything carried in your hands, and the like in your car.
-Throwing of any object off the lighthouses is strictly prohibited and punishable by law!
Cedar City Lighthouse History
The Cedar City Lighthouse, often called the “Landlocked Lighthouse,” has become one of the most recognizable and curious landmarks in southern Utah. Built in 2000 as part of the Providence Center shopping development, the 88-foot structure was never intended to guide ships or mark a coastline. Instead, it was designed to serve as a striking and memorable icon for the growing commercial district in Cedar City. At the time of its construction, it was promoted as the tallest inland lighthouse in the United States, immediately catching the attention of travelers along Interstate 15.
Over the years, the lighthouse has inspired a mix of stories and speculation. Some locals claimed it was once a working lighthouse shipped in from Europe, while others believed it was originally part of a church or religious retreat. These myths grew in popularity, but none were true. The real story comes from Thomas A. Pugh, the managing partner of Providence Center, who explained that the lighthouse was built simply to stand out—and to spark imagination. He even suggested, with tongue in cheek, that if California’s coast were ever consumed by a massive earthquake, Cedar City might one day become the new shoreline, making its lighthouse suddenly useful.
Beyond the humor, the Cedar City Lighthouse has become a symbol of the community’s creativity and character. It reflects the spirit of building something bold, unique, and a little whimsical—an attraction that makes people stop, smile, and ask questions. More than two decades later, the lighthouse continues to be a local landmark, a roadside curiosity, and a reminder that not every beacon of light needs an ocean. Sometimes it just needs a community willing to embrace its story.
Cedar City Lighthouse Address
1321 S Providence Center Drive
Cedar City, UT 84720
Contact Us
Email: LighthouseCedarCity@gmail.com
Call or text: 435-619-5501