Heading south on US Hwy 191 takes you to San Juan County and the southeastern part of Utah. This part of Utah is packed with history, culture, dark skies and quiet days.

Scenic drives will help you discover and see the amazing history and beauty this area has to offer.

If you are exploring the Mighty Five National Parks of Utah, or on a road trip, make sure to plan time in this part of Utah.

Dig deeper into this area by visiting UtahsCanyonCountry.com.

Monticello

Monticello is the gateway to the Abajo Mountains. At an elevation of 7,000ft, Monticello is a wonderful place to visit when the summer months heat up.

Located 60 miles south of Moab, 21 miles north of Blanding and 47 miles north of Bluff, Monticello is a perfect basecamp for adventures in the area.

Exploring Bears Ears, The Needles district of Canyonlands, the parks near Goosenecks State Park or driving the Trail of the Ancients is easy from Monticello.

The area offers all kinds of recreational opportunities with a golf course, fishing, rock climbing, camping, glamping, all kinds of lodging styles, along with restaurants, and family-owned shops with old-fashioned customer service.
Lloyd Lake is a reservoir located just 1.6 miles from Monticello and a great place to walk your dog. The 2.3-mile Lariat Trail has little traffic and beautiful views. There’s a parking lot with restrooms for an easy outing.

The lake is very popular for paddle boarding and fishing. The north side of the lake has a picnic area in the trees with picnic tables, grills, and fire pits.

The Abajo Foothills Trail System is a non-motorized trail system in Monticello. These trails are perfect for a mountain bike ride, hike, walk, or winter snowshoe trek. The 16 sections, totaling approximately 15 miles of trails, are primarily beginner with some intermediate sections. One riding option has you crossing US Hwy 191, so be careful. The trails all connect allowing you to create a ride or hike that’s as long or short as you like.

The Monticello Visitor Center is a great source of information, current weather and road conditions, and maps to help you plan your adventure. 435-298-8119, MonticelloUtah.org.

Blanding

Blanding is another central location for adventure filled with amazing night skies, history, and culture, all while exploring Bears Ears National Monument or Natural Bridges.

Home to two of the country’s most amazing museums, Edge of the Cedars and the Dinosaur Museum, both of these museums are must stops!

Recapture Reservoir is a beautiful lake north of Blanding. The lake offers fishing, boating, and camping.

The Blanding Visitor Center has restrooms, electric car charging stations, and a small gift shop. 435-678-3662, Blanding-UT.gov.

Bluff

Bluff, named for the towering sandstone bluffs near the town, has had residents since 650 A.D. and is loaded with history from Ancestral Puebloans, Ute, and Navajo people. Dwellings and rock imagery can be found all around this area dating back more than 2,000 years.

Bluff sits right on the northern shore of the San Juan River and is an active center for artists and writers. This cool little town has some of the best art stores around. You can even buy local art in some of the Bluff restaurants.

Historic Bluff City was founded in 1880, making it the oldest community in southeast Utah. The famous “Hole in the Rock” expedition of Mormon (Latter-Day Saints) pioneers came to the area on a mission to establish an agricultural community on the San Juan River.

Tourism has become a strong component of the local economy. Guided trips down the San Juan River or in the Bears Ears National Monument are popular activities.

Bluff is also a great base to explore the canyons of Cedar Mesa and Grand Gulch. Bluff’s proximity to Navajo Nation means that Navajo culture is prevalent throughout the town.

The Bluff Fort Visitor Center is open daily and is a wonderful museum to visit. They have a gift shop, restrooms, an outdoor kitchen that sells snacks, drinks, soft serve ice cream, and baked goods (made on site), and an area for a picnic. 435-672-9995.

For information regarding Bears Ears, make sure to stop first at the Bears Ears Education Center located on US Hwy 191 in Bluff.