Lion's Mouth Cave - Cedar City

Lion's Mouth Cave
Cedar City

Pictographs & Hiking

Lion's Mouth Cave contains numerous pictographs painted along the walls of an overhanging cave. The panel of rock art contains several anthropomorphic figures, a snake like figure, and numerous other drawings. The figures are painted with red and yellow hues.

General Information:
Visiting the Lion's Mouth Cave Pictographs requires a short 1/4 mile hike. A trip to the rock art requires about one hour round trip and is suitable for the entire family. Lion's Mouth Cave is rated 1A I using the Canyon Rating System. The rock art is accessible year round, but the last 50-feet of slickrock might be difficult with snow on the ground. This is an excellent destination for those with a little extra time in the Cedar City Area. Lion's Mouth Cave was named due to its distinctive appearance of looking like the mouth of a Lion.

Navigation for this route is simple as the route follows an easy to identify trail. A GPS is helpful but not required. The USGS 7.5' Maps titled "Page Ranch" and "Stoddard Mountain" show the area described. All waypoints and maps use the WGS84 datum.

Trailhead Information:
When traveling through Cedar City take I-15 Exit 59. Head west on Highway 56 for 16.7 miles to Pinto Road (N37° 36' 28", W113° 21' 31") located on the south (left) side of the highway. Pinto Road is a signed and well-maintained dirt road. Follow Pinto Road west for 1.2 miles to the Lion's Mouth Trailhead. The trailhead is identified as a pull-out that will accommodate several vehicles on the north (right) side of the road. The trailhead can easily be reached by passenger vehicles in dry weather conditions.

Route Information:
From the Lion's Mouth Trailhead (N37° 35' 50", W113° 22' 34") follow the trail that begins at the gate on the north side of the vehicle pull-out. Follow the trail as it switchbacks at first to gain elevation and than contours in a northwest direction to a large rock formation. The Lion's Mouth Pictographs (N37° 35' 48", W113° 22' 47") are on the west side of the rock formation in a large alcove. The rock art is easy to locate. The total approach from trailhead to rock formation is approximately 1/4 mile.

Take only pictures and leave only footprints.

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