EVERYONE knows about Utah’s national parks. This time of year, they’re packed with both Utahns and tourists. You’d pretty much have to live under a rock to be unaware of Zion, Bryce or Arches (the three most popular, and hence crowded, of the parks).

Check out this lesser-known, highly underrated national monument: Cedar Breaks. This gorgeous park has beauty similar to Bryce Canyon National Park, hiking for every level of ability, camping and dark skies perfect for stargazing.

You'll find scenery similar to Bryce Canyon National Park here - gorgeous red rock spires, hoodoos and formations.

It's amazing what wind and frost-wedging can do!

This is Square Arch.

Cedar Breaks perches atop the Markagunt Plateau - 10,000 feet above the valley floor. Its high altitude means that it’s one of the last parks to fully open. This photo, posted on Facebook on April 1st, shows more than five feet of snow - and they weren’t fooling!

On May 27th, Cedar Breaks posted this photo on its Facebook page. Volunteers cleared snow from paths and around the Visitor Center. That's a LOT of snow!

It’s DARK at Cedar Breaks, which makes for some wonderful stargazing opportunities. The monument hosts star parties throughout the year. Rangers provide high-powered telescopes, and the parties are free. Some even have themes - like this Star Wars themed "Come to the Dark Side" party.

Of course, the stars are pretty amazing here - even without a telescope.

Spring wildflowers are abundant here. The Alpine Pond Nature Trail is a two-mile loop that takes you past alpine forest, wildflower meadows and a pond. This is just one of four trails in the monument.

The Rattlesnake Creek Trail is much more strenuous. It's a 9.8-mile hike into the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness Area. The trail isn't well-marked, but you should be able to follow a topographical map.

Cedar Breaks has tons of wildlife. This Yellow-bellied marmot and her babies are adorable.

You'll also find foxes,

Mountain bluebirds,

and even sweet, spotted fawns.

Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular...

...and provide great photo opportunities.

The scenic drive is six miles long and offers several pullouts with amazing views.

Don't miss the ArtsAfire: Plein Air Event from July 11-16. The free event features Utah artists who paint landscapes in the open air for the exhibition which runs until September.

Stay overnight at the Point Supreme Campground. The campground offers 25 sites for tents or RVs. 10 are available for advanced reservations; the other 15 are first-come-first-served. Amenities include fire pits, picnic tables, water spigots and restrooms with showers.

Have you been to Cedar Breaks? What do you love most about it?