A Cedar City community
Living in Hillcrest
On Cedar City's southwest side the land climbs onto Leigh Hill, and Hillcrest is one of the established neighborhoods built into that slope.
LocationLeigh Hill, southwest Cedar City
Homes for sale in Hillcrest
No active listings today
Tell me what you are looking for, and I will watch for it
Hillcrest is a small, established neighborhood on the hill, so there can be weeks with nothing for sale. When a home here lists, it shows up on the Cedar City homes for sale page once it reaches the Iron County MLS.
The site watches the MLS for you and emails you when one lists. Tell me what matters most to you up here, and I will watch for it. That might be a true walkout, a west-facing view, or a lot a short walk from Lake at the Hills.
Or shop Cedar City by budget
Listing information comes from the Iron County Board of Realtors MLS and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Part 1 of 3
The area
Life on the hill and Hillside highlights
Life on the hill
Hillside streets with the valley spread out below
In shortThe homes step up the hill for high views of the valley and the mountains. Most have a daylight or walkout basement underneath. A daylight basement has big windows. A walkout has a door straight out to the yard. At the bottom of the hill are the Aquatic Center, the stocked Lake at the Hills, the ballfields, and Cedar Middle School.
Hillcrest is on the southwest side of Cedar City, on the Leigh Hill slope that gives the Mesa Hills neighborhoods their name. You reach it off Royal Hunte Drive, and from there the streets climb. The higher lots look out over the valley, with the Iron Mountains one way and Cedar Mountain the other.
It feels different from the flat subdivisions down in the valley. The homes are set into the slope, and the hill sheds water and melts snow a little faster than flat ground. Four things sit almost side by side at the bottom of the hill on Royal Hunte Drive. They are the Cedar City Aquatic Center, the stocked Lake at the Hills, the Field at the Hills ballfields, and Cedar Middle School.
I tour Hillcrest as a neighborhood of views and slopes, because those drive the price here. Two homes with the same floor plan can be worth very different amounts. It depends on where they sit on the hill, which way they face, and whether the basement opens to daylight. Understanding the slope is the most useful thing you can do before you fall for any one listing up here.
Hillside highlights
Six things set the southwest side apart
Six things set this part of the hill apart. A stocked lake and a pool are at the bottom, and you can see a middle school from the street. The Iron Hills trails are a short drive south. You also get high views of the valley, a quick drive to the airport, and a slope that shapes every home on it.
Lake at the Hills, a couple of minutes down
The stocked lake sits behind the Aquatic Center on Royal Hunte Drive, open for fishing, swimming off a sandy beach, and kayak rentals in summer. Few Cedar City neighborhoods have a lake and a pool at the bottom of the street.
A middle school at the base of the hill
Cedar Middle School sits at 2215 West Royal Hunte Drive, right where the hill meets the valley. For many Hillcrest streets, the trip to middle school is a short one down the hill, not a drive across town.
Iron Hills trails to the south
The Iron Hills Trail System is a 30-mile network on land run by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is a short drive south by way of the Southview Trailhead. There the easier Lichen It trail climbs the lower slopes and links to the flow trails above, which are smooth, rolling downhill trails.
Views that come with the slope
The streets climb Leigh Hill, so the higher lots look west to the Iron Mountains and east toward Cedar Mountain. The view is the reason people want the slope, and it is built into the price of the better lots.
The regional airport, minutes west
Cedar City Regional Airport is off Highway 56 at 2560 Aviation Way, a short drive from the hill. It keeps the west side close to daily flights.
A slope that shapes every home
The land falls away toward the valley, so daylight and walkout basements are common and no two lots sit at the same height. I compare where each home sits on the hill before I compare prices.
About the facts in the bar at the top of this page. Sources: the Iron County MLS, recorded plats, the Iron County School District, and Cedar City parks and trail pages. Few homes sell here, so use any price figure as a starting point and check it with me. Citywide data is on the Cedar City guide.
Part 2 of 3
The homes and the land
Homes & lots and Trails & outdoors
Homes & lots
One neighborhood, priced lot by lot
Hillcrest is an established neighborhood of single-family homes, mapped out and built in phases as the Leigh Hill slope filled in. The homes do not repeat one plan. They vary, and what they share is the slope. The ground falls toward the valley, so daylight and walkout basements are the norm, and many homes have a view off the back.
That is why I look at each lot on its own, not at one average. Where a home sits on the hill, which way it faces, and whether the lower level opens to daylight can make two similar houses worth quite different amounts. A recent three-bedroom on the hill, about 1,590 square feet, listed near $440,000. That is one useful data point, but I would not price the next home off it without checking the view, the slope, and the condition first.
The slope is the detail behind all of it. A well-shaped lot with a walkout and a west-facing view is a different property from a flatter lot on the same street, even at the same square footage. That is also why I look hard at how each lot sheds water and where the driveway climbs before I get excited about the view.
If you are buying, understand the slope before you judge the price. If you are selling, do the same before you choose which recent sales to compare against. On a hill, the right three similar sales matter far more than any neighborhood average. Check everything against the live listings.
On a hillside, two homes with the same floor plan can be two different properties, priced by the lot they sit on.
Trails & outdoors
Water at the bottom, dirt to the south
Hillcrest has water at the bottom of the hill, and singletrack (narrow trails one bike wide) a short drive away. Lake at the Hills is at the base off Royal Hunte Drive, and the Iron Hills trails climb the hills to the south. The list runs from a walk from home to a day trip.
Lake at the Hills (at the base)
The stocked lake is behind the Aquatic Center on Royal Hunte Drive. It has a sandy beach, non-motorized boating, and kayak rentals from late May through August. The paved city path starts here, an easy walk or ride from most of the hill.
Iron Hills Trail System (Southview)
A short drive south, the Southview Trailhead is the way into the Iron Hills trails. The easier Lichen It trail climbs the lower slopes above the Southview Trailhead and links to the Lava Flow trail and the rest of the system.
The C Trail and overlook
From the C Trailhead on the southeast side, the C Trail climbs more than four miles to the C Overlook, with a long view over the valley. It connects to the downhill trails above. It is one trail system, and you can make it an easy lap or a real climb, depending on the day.
Three Peaks Recreation Area, ~15 min
The Three Peaks area, also run by the BLM, is out on the northwest side of the valley. Its more than 6,000 acres have mountain-bike trails, off-highway vehicle (OHV) trails, disc golf, and room to camp.
Farther out, State Route 14 climbs east into the high country toward Cedar Breaks National Monument and Brian Head. It is a seasonal drive, once the high road clears for the year.
Trail details come from the BLM Iron Hills pages and Cedar City parks and recreation. The wider outdoor picture, Cedar Breaks and Brian Head included, is in the Cedar City guide.
Client reviews
What a past client said
These are real reviews from past clients, shown as they wrote them.
Posted by past clients on Google and Experience.com.
Scott is an amazing loan officer. Our refinance went smoothly and closed within 2 weeks. He was very conscientious with every detail and professional. He was in contact often throughout the process. We will definitely use him in the future for our real estate needs.
Part 3 of 3
Daily life
Errands & drive times, Schools & education and At the base of the hill
Errands & drive times
Errands, measured in minutes
The airport and the freeway are a quick drive. Downtown and the grocery stores are a straight shot down the hill, and the pool and lake are at the bottom of the street. Times are measured from the middle of the neighborhood near Royal Hunte Drive. From the upper lots, add a minute or two.
- Pool, lake, and ballfieldsAquatic Center & Lake at the Hills, Royal Hunte Dr~2 min
- Full grocery runLin's Fresh Market, 150 N Main Street~7 min
- Second grocery optionSmith's Food & Drug, 633 S Main Street~6 min
- Freeway on-rampInterstate 15 at Exit 57, Cross Hollow Rd~6 min
- FlightsCedar City Regional Airport (CDC), Aviation Way~8 min
- HealthcareCedar City Hospital, 1303 N Main Street~9 min
- Campus and gamesSouthern Utah University~7 min
- Dinner downtownHistoric Main Street~7 min
- Mountain biking and OHVThree Peaks Recreation Area (BLM)~15 min
Farther out, you can reach a lot in a weekend. Brian Head's ski runs are about 45 minutes northeast, and Cedar Breaks National Monument is roughly 35 minutes up State Route 14 in season. The Kolob Canyons entrance of Zion is about 25 minutes south on I-15, and St. George is about 50 to 55 minutes. The full day-trip map is in the Cedar City guide.
Schools & education
Schools, by the facts
Hillcrest is part of the Iron County School District. The 2026-27 map puts this area in North Elementary (grades K-5), at 550 West 200 North, near the line with South Elementary. Cedar Middle School is right at the bottom of the hill at 2215 West Royal Hunte Drive. Its students go on to Cedar High School at 703 West 600 South. This side of town goes to Cedar High, not Canyon View on the north end.
Boundaries can change, so for any specific home, ask the district which schools serve it instead of guessing from a map. GreatSchools and Niche both publish school numbers you can weigh yourself. Southern Utah University is about seven minutes away, toward the center of town.
I cover the bigger education picture, including SUU, in the Cedar City guide.
At the base of the hill
The lake at the bottom of the hill
What sets Hillcrest apart is not up on the hill. It is at the bottom of it. Where the slope meets Royal Hunte Drive, Cedar City put four things almost side by side. They are the Aquatic Center with its indoor and outdoor pools, the stocked Lake at the Hills, the Field at the Hills ballfields, and Cedar Middle School. Most Cedar City neighborhoods have to drive to even one of those. Hillcrest looks down on all four.
Lake at the Hills, also called Leigh Hill Reservoir, is the main attraction. It has a sandy beach, allows fishing and non-motorized boating, and rents kayaks and paddleboards through the summer. The paved city trail starts at the shore. On a summer evening you can walk from your front door to the water without a car.
None of this is a promise about any one home. Hours and programs change from season to season, so I check what is actually open before I count on it. But the cluster at the bottom is real, it is walkable from much of the hill, and it is a real reason people want to live up here.
On Royal Hunte Drive, at the foot of the neighborhood
- Cedar City Aquatic Center, with indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, and a water slide.
- Lake at the Hills (Leigh Hill Reservoir), with fishing, a sandy beach, and summer kayak rentals.
- Field at the Hills, the city softball and ballfield complex off Royal Hunte Drive.
- Cedar Middle School, at 2215 West Royal Hunte Drive, at the foot of the neighborhood.
Details come from Cedar City's parks and recreation pages. Hours and seasonal programs change, so check current details with the city before you rely on them.
What locals know
The details I would slow down and check
Read the hill before you pick a home: the slope, the view, the walk to the water, and exactly where the lot sits. These are the four things I would walk a friend through before they get attached to any one address up here.
A home's spot on the hill sets its price
Two homes with the same square footage can be worth very different amounts, depending on how high they sit, which way they face, and whether the basement walks out. Look at the lot before the list price.
Check the view from the actual room
A west-facing lot looks toward the Iron Mountains, but the view from the living space depends on the exact home and what is built below it. Stand in the room before you pay for the view.
The lake is the amenity, and it is public
Lake at the Hills and the Aquatic Center at the bottom of the hill are the real draw. They are city facilities open to everyone, so what you get is living close to them. Check the hours for the current season.
Snow and water run downhill
The slope sheds runoff and melts snow faster than flat ground. That is mostly a benefit, but it means the way a specific lot is shaped and where its driveway climbs matter. I check drainage on the actual lot before I call it a safe bet.
Buy or sell here
The buyer side and the seller side
Buying in Hillcrest
Hillcrest is on Cedar City's southwest side, built into the Leigh Hill slope near Royal Hunte Drive. It is one of the established neighborhoods in the Mesa Hills area. The streets climb the hill for high views of the valley and mountains. At the bottom of the hill, the Aquatic Center, Lake at the Hills, and Cedar Middle School are within a couple of minutes.
Hillcrest is an established neighborhood of single-family homes built into the natural slope. Daylight basements (with large windows) are common, and so are walkouts, with a door straight out to the yard. No two lots sit at quite the same height. The homes are not cookie-cutter. The draw is the slope, the view, and how each home uses its spot on the hill.
Hillcrest is part of the Iron County School District. The 2026-27 map puts this area in North Elementary, grades K-5, near the line with South Elementary. Cedar Middle School is right at the bottom of the hill on Royal Hunte Drive, and its students go on to Cedar High School. This side of town goes to Cedar High, not Canyon View, but boundaries can change, so ask the district which schools serve any specific home.
Yes, and the best of it is at the bottom of the street. Lake at the Hills sits at the base of the slope with fishing, a sandy beach, and kayak rentals in summer, and the paved city trail runs from there. For dirt, the Iron Hills Trail System is a short drive south by way of the Southview Trailhead. Three Peaks Recreation Area is out on the northwest side of the valley.
Few homes sell on the hill, so the honest answer is to compare with the homes actually for sale now, not a fixed range. A recent three-bedroom on the hill listed near $440,000. That is one data point, and a view lot or a full walkout can move a home well off it. That is why I compare each home with current sales and listings of similar homes before I name a number.
The slope is what makes Hillcrest what it is. The ground falls toward the valley, so most homes get a view and a basement that opens to daylight. The slope also sheds water and melts snow faster than the flat ground below. That also means the specific lot matters. I look at how each one is shaped and where the driveway sits before I get attached to any view.
Ready to look? See what is on the market or tell me what you are after.
Selling in Hillcrest
Price to the hill, not to the flat ground. A view lot, a walkout basement, and a good spot on the slope are worth real money here, and sales from the flat west side can miss that. The most useful thing you can do up here is put the right hillside sales in front of the buyer and the appraiser.
When you list with me, your home is featured on MovingUtah where it fits best. It shows first on the Cedar City listings and on this Hillcrest page, where buyers are already looking. The get featured page explains how it works. If you are thinking about selling, I would be glad to talk it through with you.
I start with recent Iron County MLS sales of similar homes. Next I weigh what really drives the price on the hill: the view, whether the basement is a true walkout, and the height and slope of the lot. Condition counts too, and so does how close the home is to the lake and Cedar Middle. Then I set the number against what is really selling, not an old average.
Yes, but on a purchase I take one role only, never both. I can work as your real estate agent or as your lender, and the role is disclosed before we move forward.
Thinking about it? Start with your number or see how featuring works.
Keep exploring Cedar City
How my dual role works. I am licensed in both real estate and mortgage lending. On any single purchase I take one role only, never both at once, and every role is disclosed. You are always free to choose your own agent and your own lender. The full explanation is on How I Work.
Talk to Scott
Want a closer look at Hillcrest?
If you are buying, I can pull whatever is for sale on the hill and look at it lot by lot. That way you pay for the right spot and the right view, not a neighborhood average. If you are selling, I will price your home against hillside sales that really match it, not the flat ground below.
Why work with me
- I look at the lot, not just the house.Send me a Hillcrest listing you like. I will tell you what the photos leave out, and the catch if there is one.
- I can show you any home listed here.It does not matter which brokerage listed it. Tell me which ones you like, and I set up the showings.
- A lender's eye on the listing.I am licensed in both real estate and lending. On any one purchase I take one role. If I am your lender, I can tell you early if a home could be hard to get a loan on.
- A reply within one business day.Call or text, and I get back to you within one business day.
Or call me: (435) 357-4345I reply within one business day.
Selling in Hillcrest
Want to sell your home in Hillcrest?
List it with Scott Buehler and get featured on MovingUtah.
I will not tell you I am the best agent, and I will not promise a price. I look at the slope, the view, and the walk to the lake first, and only then give you an honest price.
Call or text (435) 357-4345. I reply within one business day.
More about Cedar City
Beyond this neighborhood
Picking the right street is half of the decision. The town it sits in is the other half. These are my Cedar City guides on The Local, the editorial side of MovingUtah. I wrote them from time on the ground, not from a search results page.
My Cedar City guides on The Local
The top 11 things to do
The flagship list, ranked by a local, from the Utah Shakespeare Festival to the dark sky above Cedar Breaks.
Read the guideYour first year here
Month by month: the first snow, the festival season, and what the calendar actually asks of you.
Read the guideA year in Festival City USA
The festival calendar that gave the town its nickname, season by season.
Read the guide10 free things to do in Cedar City
The Greenshow, the C Trail overlook, Coal Creek Trail, the farmers market, SUMA, Parowan Gap petroglyphs, and dark skies, all vouched for at no cost.
Read the guideTen guides in all for Cedar City. Browse the Cedar City companion, or see every town I cover on The Local.
The town, and tools for your move