The scenic drive and visitor center at Cedar Breaks National Monument will open for the season Saturday.

According to superintendent Paul Roelandt, "Winter has loosened its grip on the high country east of Cedar City in time for our traditional Memorial Day weekend opening."

The Utah Department of Transportation has cleared the road through the park, and park crews have been busy preparing facilities for the summer season.

Beginning Saturday, the visitor center will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. As of June 10, visitor center hours will be expanded to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with daily geology talks and other topics of interest offered on the hour from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m.

The park entrance fee for recreational use of the monument is $4 per person aged 16 years or older, payable Visitor Center/Point Supreme Overlook entrance.

Patches of snow remain in many areas of the park, with deeper drifts in places, so park trails and the campground remain closed. The campground is scheduled to open no later than June 15.

Special events of interest taking place at the monument this summer include the Second Annual Cedar Breaks Wildflower Festival (July 1-July 22) and the monument's 74th birthday (Aug. 18-19).

For more information, visit www.nps.gov/cebr or call 1-435-586-9451.