Southeastern Utah, Utah's Canyon Country, is a land of quiet beauty and remote grandeur hinted at in its famous place names -- Monument Valley, Lake Powell, and Canyonlands. The Navajo and Ute Indians have shared an intimate connection with the land for centuries, and pioneer ranching and farming families have joined in that tradition. Whether you come for the scenery, the solitude, or the spiritual, the vistas of Canyon Country are sure to move you.
Encompassing some 5.2 million acres, Utah's largest county encompasses a wide variety of terrain: shimmering desert, shadowed canyons, towering stone arches, and snowcapped mountain peaks are all an integral part of the landscape. An average of less than two people per square mile live in this pristine area which is home to one National Park, three National Monuments, one National Recreation Area, three designated Recreation Sites, two Native American Tribal Parks, two State Parks, two Wilderness/Primitive Areas, and one National Forest. All these can be accessed easily from the communities in San Juan County where the visitor will find all the necessary amenities.
Utah's Canyon Country offers an unparalleled journey of discovery in this quiet corner of Utah. For more information, keep reading or click below to request Utah's Canyon Country Adventure Guide.
Attractions
The sweeping sandstone buttes and impossibly broad swaths of blue sky bring film makers and photographers to Monument Valley. The pictures are stunning but the true impact of thus scenery can only be truly felt in person. A drive through the valley on US Highway 163 offers vistas of the most familiar formations and limited contact with the Navajo population. Taking a trip into the Navajo Tribal Park provides unique vistas and the opportunity to tour the deeper reaches of the valley with a Navajo guide. Guided tours are also available from Gouldings Lodge, the only lodging property in the valley.
LAKE POWELL - GLEN CANYON RECREATION AREA
A crystal blue jewel lying deep in the red rock of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Lake Powell beckons in every season. With over 1,800 miles of shoreline, there is no difficulty finding a place to dock your houseboat or fish close to the towering canyon walls. Five marinas take care of your every need. Come equipped or rent it all to explore the vast stretches and hidden canyons of glistening Lake Powell. Tours leave daily from Halls Crossing Marina to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, a journey the length of the lake with interesting stops along the way.
Wild, remote, and exquisitely beautiful, Canyonlands lies on the northern edge of Canyon County along the plateau adjacent to the Colorado River and infamous Cataract Canyon. The Needles District of the park offers the visitor sinuous trails and 4WD roads into small canyons or paved roads to sweeping vistas of the tortured red rock landscape of the park. A well-stocked visitor center and knowledgeable staff can assist with your desert experience sight-seeing, hiking, biking or 4 wheeling.
Leave the hustle & bustle of modern life and embark upon a journey into the mysteries of the past. For over a century visitors have wondered why round, square, and 'D' shaped towers were built in what is known today as the Four Corners region of the southwest. After seven centuries of weathering, the pueblos and towers are still balanced atop huge boulders or perched on canyon rims at Hovenweep National Monument. Visitors are encouraged to walk along the quiet, primitive trails and wonder what village life might have been like so long ago. The Hovenweep villages were part of a much larger ancestral puebloan society which occupied the Four Corners region of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico until nearly AD 1300. The community consisted of pueblos near Blanding and Bluff as well as larger villages at what is now Mesa Verde National Park and Navajo National Monument. Explore the past at Hovenweep National Monument.
NATURAL BRIDGES NATIONAL MONUMENT
Situated high on Cedar Mesa, Natural Bridges National Monument shelters three massive stone bridges carved by nature from white Cedar Mesa sandstone. Intermittent streams have cut two deep canyons and the bridges from stone formed from what was once the shore of an ancient sea. Trails descend from Bridge View Drive to each of the bridges. A longer trial meanders along the canyon bottom through oak an cottonwood groves, connecting the three bridges in one loop hike. The park is powered by the sun and the solar array is a worthwhile stop. The scenic Bridge View Drive circumnavigates the park and is open year-round from sun rise to sunset. Overlooks along the drive allow views of each of the bridges.
RAINBOW BRIDGE NATIONAL MONUMENT
The world’s largest natural stone bridge spans 275 feet (84 meters) and reaches a height of 290 feet (88 meters). This natural wonder is sheltered among the canyons leading from Navajo Mountain to Lake Powell. The bridge is easily accessible by boat from the lake and tours visit it daily. It can be reached by foot trail from Navajo Mountain (14 miles -26 kilo-meters). Hiking permits are required from the Navajo Nation. The trail is arduous and recommended for seasoned hikers. The best months to visit are April, May, early June, September, and October.
EDGE OF THE CEDARS STATE PARK & MUSEUM
Hidden gems are found throughout Canyon Country and this museum is one of the best! The museum offers the visitor an intimate look at the life way of the ancient people who once thrived in the small communities of this region. Exceptionally rare and well-preserved artifacts are the heart of the exhibits. A sash of macaw feathers from Mexico, an original kiva ladder, and prehistoric knives intrigue and delight. Pots, bowls, pitchers, and other items are artfully displayed with interpretive material provided. Explore outside the museum and find yourself in the ruin of a small village. Climb down the kiva ladder to the inside of the ceremonial chamber and imagine ceremonies of long ago or walk along paths through the residence block. The museum holds a wide array of events and activities, art shows and demonstrations, atlatl (throwing stick) contests, and youth programs. An active changing exhibits program assures that every trip to Edge of the Cedars offers new experiences.
This small park is out where the highways end! An astonishing view of the great Goosenecks of the San Juan River is spread at your feet in a breathtaking view from this park where the river flows 1,000 feet below the overlook near Mexican Hat. Winding over six miles through the twists and turns of the goosenecks the river flows only one mile west toward its confluence with Lake Powell. Looking beyond the view, the park provides an opportunity to study the earth’s skeleton. The desert landscape reveals the underlying structure not easily seen where flora obscures the earth’s bones.
The only place in the USA where four states meet at a single point. The Four Corners Monument was surveyed and established by government surveyors and astronomers. The process began in 1868, was continued in 1878, and finished in 1901. The monument itself is made of granite, bronze, and concrete. The seal from each state is embedded in the concrete and the inscription "Four States Here Meet In Freedom Under God" appears at the center. This is the only place in the US where a person can stand in four states at one time.
NEWSPAPER ROCK RECREATION SITE
If you are looking for a rock art panel which represents multiple cultures, Newspaper Rock is it! Some of the carvings date from 1500 years ago while others were placed there at the turn of the 20th century. No one knows what the images mean or why the rocks were used as canvas. The images include animal pelts, figures riding horses, and broad shouldered figures with elaborate head decoration. Some of the images are hiding among others, some are prominent and easy to see, but all are an enduring record of people who lived here long ago.
CANYON RIMS RECREATION AREA
This area is immense and diverse. It offers scenic overlooks accessible by highway vehicle, OHV trails, hiking and bicycle routes, and rock climbing venues. In addition to recreational uses, visitors may also see livestock, wildlife and mineral development in the area. Easily accessible overlooks give way to the almost inaccessible Beef Basin where 4 wheel drive is necessary. Lockhart Basin, directly below the most popular overlook, provides one of the most challenging 4 wheel drive routes in Canyon Country. Penetration into the backcountry of the area is for the stalwart and prepared visitor, but viewing the scenery from the signed overlooks is accessible to almost everyone.
DARK CANYON PRIMITIVE & WILDERNESS AREA
Dark Canyon Wilderness/Primitive Area is a unique and colorful canyon system which begins on Elk Ridge at an elevation of 8,800 feet. The canyon cuts through sandstone and limestone descending to the upper reaches of Lake Powell at an elevation of 3,700 feet. The higher elevations provide sweeping views amidst a forest dominated by ponderosa pine. As the canyon descends into a more arid desert, environment and vegetation change to hotter/dryer with pinion-juniper and black brush. The Dark Canyon Wilderness/ Primitive Area forms the southwest corner of Canyon Rims Recreation Area. The canyon system provides outstanding opportunities for backpacking or horse packing.
GRAND GULCH PRIMITIVE AREA
This exquisite canyon system is a special and fragile place. Hiking can be a extraordinary experience as you glimpse the life way of the ancient ones. Ruins and artifacts are present throughout the canyon system representing the ancient puebloan culture which once thrived in Canyon Country. Rock art abounds, both petroglyphs (pecked) and pictographs (painted) art can be found in Grand Gulch. Because the ruins and artifacts are so fragile, the area may be entered by permit only. (Bureau of Land Management)
Nestled at the foot of Cedar Mesa, Valley of the Gods shelters freestanding monoliths, delicate spires, and long rock “fins” rising from the valley floor toward the improbable blue of southwestern skies. Colorful canyons, rising mesas, sturdy buttes, and unique shapes are sculpted into the landscape. Encounter rock formations with fanciful names - The Seven Sailors, Southern Lady, Rooster Butte, and Battleship Rock. Multi-colored sandstone and other sedimentary rocks in subtle shades of pink, red, gold, orange, and purple are abundant on the 16 mile loop drive through the valley. The native surface road is accessible by high clearance vehicle except when wet.
Abajo Mountains & La Sal Mountains
Sight-see, hike, bike, tour with your 4 wheel drive or ATV, picnic, or camp under the stars in the Manti-La Sal National Forest! The mountains reach elevations of over 12,000 feet (3,659 meters) and offer a cool summer get-away. Fish in trout laden ponds and lakes, listen to the sighing of the wind in the tall fir and pine forest, watch for wildlife, or enjoy winter sports during snow season. National Forest Service campgrounds offer comfortable spaces easily reached with all vehicles.
Activities
Scenic Drives
The eastern portion of the Utah National Parks Highway traverses San Juan County. Utah Highway 95 from Lake Powell (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area) to the junction with US Highway 191 travels past the sparkling blue water of Lake Powell, accesses the three massive natural stone bridges at Natural Bridges National Monument, and crosses Cedar Mesa to US 191 south ofBlandingaccessing Mule Canyon and Butler Wash Indian Ruins. The route cuts through the once formidable rock barrier of Comb Ridge and approaches the community of Blanding, home to Edge of the Cedars State Park & Museum, the Dinosaur Museum, and Huck’s Museum. The route then heads north through the community of Monticello, home of the Frontier Museum, passes the access roads to Canyonlands National Park and Canyon Rims Recreation Area before leaving Utah’s Canyon Country south of Moab.
The Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway joins the National Parks Highway (US 191) north of Monticello at the junction of US Highway 191 and Utah Highway 211. It crosses the remnants of the Great Sage Plain which once stretched from the Abajo Mountains into Colorado and passes the remnants of the Home of Truth, built by a religious group in the 1940’s whose members anticipated the end of the world and believed they had been sent to this location to survive the cataclysm. It then drops into Indian Creek Canyon where Newspaper Rock Recreation Site is easily accessed, passes through the Dugout Ranch, one of the largest working cattle ranches in Canyon Country, and continues into Canyonlands National Park.
The southern portion of Canyon Country embraces the Utah section of the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway. Beginning at its northern point in Monticello, the route travels south on US Highway 191. It accesses US Forest Service Devil’s Canyon Campground and several forest access roads. At Blanding, the route turns west and follows Utah Highway 95 to Natural Bridges National Monument. Just before the monument entrance it joins with Utah Highway 261 which traverses Cedar Mesa and approaches Valley of the Gods and the community of Mexican Hat where it continues southwest on US Highway 163 to Monument Valley. The route also turns northeast at the junction with US 163 and travels to Bluff, a small desert village with pioneer and Victorian roots, continues on US 162 to Montezuma Creek and on to the Four Corners Monument. From Bluff the route also continues north as US 191 to the junction with Utah 262 which travels east to Hovenweep National Monument. US 191 also completes the loop by traveling north to Monticello. Along the route the traveler encounters ruins and rock art, hikes and scenic overlooks which are easily reached with a vehicle or via short hike.
Hiking
The uncrowded back country of Utah’s Canyon Country is an open invitation to hikers. Both the Abajo and La Sal Mountain offer cool scenic hikes during the hot summer months. The Abajo’s sport more easily accessed trails than the La Sals, but the La Sals climb to higher peaks. Panoramic views open in all directions and on a clear day you really can see forever! All of the National Parks and Monuments offer intriguing hiking trails of varying lengths for all skill levels and ages. Hike with a tour guide or on your own through forested meadows or along red rock fins. Longer backpacking trails are found in Grand Gulch Primitive Area or Dark Canyon Wilderness. Whatever your hiking pleasure, you can find it in Utah’s Canyon Country. You can even find short nature trials near the communities for an relaxing stroll after dinner.
Biking
Utah’s Canyon Country is replete with dirt and gravel roads easily accessible for bicycle enthusiasts. The county road system will take you throughout the county on roads that see little traffic. If you prefer mountain or desert trails, we have those, too. Designated bicycle trails are found on the Abajo and La Sal Mountains and desert trails are found in the Canyon Rims Recreation Area. Bicycles are confined to the roads in the National Parks, but even those are scenic if you don’t mind sharing with slow moving autos. The Trail of the Ancients is often ridden as a road bike trip as is US Highway 163 into Monument Valley from Bluff. Whether you ride with your family, friends, or alone there is a road or trail in Canyon Country just for you!
Camping
Sleeping under the stars is a truly astounding experience in Utah’s Canyon Country. If you live in a town or city, you will not have seen skies like these before. The constellations are clear and the Milky Way slashes across the night sky like the tail of a comet! Do you prefer primitive camping in the mountains or desert? Are you looking for a campsite along a burbling stream or perhaps you want to go to sleep with the sound of a river in your ears? Would you rather park your RV in a commercial campground with all the amenities? Or do you want to hike to a distant location and really be out there? Whatever your pleasure, Utah’s Canyon Country has it! The National Parks, Forests, and Recreation Areas have established campgrounds. The National Forest and Bureau of Land Management allow dispersed camping throughout areas which they manage. Camp deep in a desert canyon, high on a mountain peak, or use one of our commercial campgrounds as a base camp.
Horseback Riding
A traditional western activity, horseback riding is popular with visitors. Local tour operators lead trips into red rock desert and along the San Juan River. Ride into the sunset in Utah’s Canyon Country.
ATVing
Utah’s Canyon Country is home to the San Juan Safari, a gathering of ATV riders and machines for fall excursions into the back country. Led by experienced guides who know the area, you will find out of the way places, ruins, rock art, and a great good time! If you prefer to strike out on your own the maps are available in both Monticello and Blanding Visitor Centers. Gravel and dirt roads lead to overlooks, ruins, and stunning scenery throughout Utah’s Canyon Country. Perhaps you prefer a guided tour of the desert or mountains. Local experienced guides lead trips to all the best places.
International Balloon Fest!
The Bluff International Balloon Festival is an established and well loved event held in January in the small desert community. Balloons come from many states and even overseas. Festival activities include the flights near Bluff and in the Valley of the Gods, a balloon ‘glow in’ after dark, music, arts & crafts, and fun, fun, fun! The balloons fly early in the morning in Valley of the Gods and the morning sun lights up the vibrant colors as they ascend among the red rock monoliths. Smaller than the festivals held in Park City, Utah or Albuquerque, New Mexico this festival allows you to get up close and personal with the balloons and their pilots who love to tell you all about ballooning.
Motocross Racing
World Cup Championship Motocross racing is held throughout the summer at Bull Hollow near Monticello. Riders challenge themselves on a course built on hilly, wooded farm land. Check the schedule and come watch the thrills as these young riders test themselves and their machines.
County Fair
Handcrafted items, specialty foods, and livestock are on display at the San Juan County Fair held in Monticello in August. Our folks have not forgotten how to piece a quilt, raise a hog, or preserve beans and those skills are front and center at the fair. A sanctioned rodeo lights up the night. Come and join us at the Fair!
Our Communities
La Sal. The size of this tiny community belies the fun you can have in here. Hike, bike, ATV, fish, hunt, snowmobile, and cross-country ski all from La Sal. Mountain trails into the La Sal Mountain are close at hand, the desert is only a short drive, and the high elevation almost assures snow in the winter. Tour operators and hunting guides are available in La Sal. You can't pick a better place for a quiet and fun filled visit.
Monticello. At an elevation of 7,069 feet (2,155 meters) Monticello is high on the flank of the Abajo Mountains. It is a cool summer get-away from the lower desert elevations. Attractions include the Frontier Museum and Pioneer Park. Events held throughout the summer season include the County Fair, the Blue Mountain to Canyonlands Triathlon, and Pioneer Days. Easy access to Arches National Park, Forest Service trails in the Abajo Mountains or Canyonlands National Park and all the other major attractions in Utah's Canyon Country, southeast Utah, and the Four Corners. Lodging and all amenities are available.
Blanding. Home of Edge of the Cedars State Park & Museum and The Dinosaur Museum, Blanding bills itself as your "Base Camp to Adventure!" The starting point for the Trail of the Ancients, Blanding also offers three excellent museums. Edge of the Cedars is truly one of the hidden gems in Canyon Country. The small facility is distinct from the larger museums of Indian culture in Santa Fe, Flagstaff, and Phoenix because it offers the visitor an intimate look at the life way of the ancient people who once thrived in small farming communities throughout the Four Corners. Exceptional and rare artifacts are on display including intact baskets, a macaw feather sash, an original kiva ladder, and prehistoric knives with wooden plates. The museum maintains an active and changing program. The Dinosaur Museum offers a glimpse even farther back in time. At The Dinosaur Museum, the complete history of the world of the dinosaurs is presented. Skeletons, fossilized skin, eggs, footprints, state-of-the-art graphics, and beautifully realistic sculptures present the dinosaurs from the Four Corners region and throughout the globe. Huck's Museum, a small private facility, displays a vast collection of artifacts from southeast Utah with a commentary from the owner/curator that keeps it lively. Easy access to Forest Service trails in the Abajo Mountains or Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments and Lake Powell as well as all the other major attractions in Utah's Canyon Country, southeast Utah, and the Four Corners. Lodging and all amenities are available.
Bluff. A small village on the banks of the San Juan River, Bluff is home to the annual Bluff International Balloon Festival in January, the Navajo Fair & Rodeo in the fall, and the Bluff Arts Festival in early winter. Bluff is nestled amid sandstone bluffs - hence the name - where ancient people also set up housekeeping. Surrounded by rock art and ruins, today's community was built on the site of older communities dating back hundreds of years. The Bluff City Historic Preservation Association provides a walking tour guide so you can explore and discover Bluff on your own. Spend hours or days hiking the nearby desert trails, investigate the Victorian era homes, or explore the rock art and ruins. Tour operators are also available. Easy access to Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments and Monument Valley as well as all the other major attractions in Utah's Canyon Country, southeast Utah, and the Four Corners. Lodging and all amenities are available.
Mexican Hat. What an odd name for a town! But there really is a Mexican hat in Mexican Hat! Named for the inverted stone sombrero nearby, the town is the starting point for trips through the lower canyon of the San Juan River. Visitors can easily travel to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park or to Four Corners Monument where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado meet at a common point. Hikers can spend days where hawks soar and the elusive Big Horn Sheep can sometime be seen in the nearby Johns Canyon, on Cedar Mesa, or in the Valley of the Gods. Goosenecks State Park is nearby where its 1,000 foot (304 meters) deep San Juan River canyon shelters the largest entrenched river meander in North America - the Goosenecks. Just outside town, the Raplee Anticline reveals slashes of color across the talus slope in a formation sometimes called the Navajo Tapestry. Easy access to Monument Valley, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Lake Powell as well as all the other major attractions in Utah's Canyon Country, southeast Utah, and the Four Corners. Lodging and all amenities are available.
Monument Valley. Think of Monument Valley and you think of John Wayne, cowboys, and Indians or Back To The Future III with Michael J. Fox. But the valley is really timeless and very peaceful. Home to the Navajo or Dineh people, the valley shelters formations and homes in equal splendor. The buttes, mesas, and free-standing formations reveal their greatest beauty as the sun rises and sets casting long, deep shadows among the red rocks and delighting the photographer in all of us. Tour to a mud and log Hogan (ho'gone), the traditional Navajo dwelling, where a weaver works her magic on the time-honored log and rope loom. Visit the original trading post and take in the museum to learn about the Navajo people and the many films made in the valley. Even after the sun sets, the magic of the valley continues with the film Earth Spirit shown nightly at Gouldings Lodge. Accommodation, all rooms with a view, Navajo arts & crafts, and tours are available in the valley. The Stagecoach Restaurant at Gouldings Lodge offers a stunning view from each table and The View Restaurant at the foot of the Mittens in the Tribal Park, provides a close encounter with the formations. Lodging and restaurants available.
