Bears Ears, Utah
Top Spots in and near Bears Ears
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Lake Powell, Utah
Hike to Horse Collar Ruin at Natural Bridges National Monument
5.03.2 mi / 500 ft gainNatural Bridges National Monument is one of Utah's many geologic wonders. While this monument is primarily known for its bridges, it also has an impressive collection of cliff dwellings known as Horse Collar Ruin. The dwellings have passed the test of time after being abandoned by native people m...Read more -
San Juan County, Utah
Backpack Grand Gulch
10 mi / 600 ft gainBears Ears National Monument is a truly special place. We voyaged willingly on a journey of discovery into the roots of who we are as human beings, and we were not disappointed: the ruins accessible in the canyons brought tears to our eyes. While Bears Ears used to receive just 9,000 visitors ann...Read more -
San Juan County, Utah
Backpack Great Gulch: Kane Gulch to Bullet Canyon
5.025 miOne of the many wonderful hidden gems in Utah (so just tell you close friends about it).Kane Gulch is located four miles south of the Highway 95/Highway 261 junction. At the Kane Gulch ranger station you will be able to use restrooms, overnight park your vehicle, pick up permits, and purchase are...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Backpack Salt Creek
33 mi / 1000 ft gainThe Needles District of Canyonlands receives 6 times as many backpackers as its more popular neighbor across the Colorado River, Island in the Sky. The Needles has an excellent trail network that is incredibly diverse, featuring amazing rock features as well as grassy meadows and savannahs. Whil...Read more -
Mexican Hat, Utah
Camp in the Valley of the Gods
5.0The dirt road loop is relatively smooth and can be driven on by just about any car, campervan, or RV. However, check the weather beforehand because some areas can become flooded after rain and will be a difficult mud crossing. It can be driven in either direction. One entrance is off Highway 163,...Read more -
Mexican Hat, Utah
Camp at Muley Point
5.00.25 miMuley Point on the southern end of the Cedar Mesa is one of the finest camping (and car camping) sites in North America, towering some 2400' above the San Juan River Canyon (and The Goosenecks State Park) looking south directly into the northern mouth of Monument Valley. It is a breathtakingly be...Read more -
Bluff, Utah
Raft the Upper San Juan
The "Upper" San Juan is about 27 miles of river, and can be completed in a 2-4 day float. It is a permitted river, and trips launching between April 15 - July 15 obtain permits through a lottery draw negotiated on https://www.recreation.gov/. Applications for this lottery are accepted through the...Read more -
Mexican Hat, Utah
Hike the Honaker Trail
3.55 mi / 1010 ft gainIn the days of Utah's Wild West gold rush (circa 1890s), a man named Henry Honaker decided to build a supply route from the San Juan River to the cliffs tops, roughly 1200 feet, above. The roughly hewn trail that Henry built; aptly named the ‘Honaker Trail’ was to act as a supply route for the go...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Explore the Newspaper Rock Ancient Petroglyphs
4.7After leaving Moab, turn off Highway 191 on to 211. The drive will wind over the mesa tops and down into red rock canyon country. Enjoy the changing seasons whether the red cliffs are covered in snow or spring desert flowers are blooming.Watch for cattle as this is open range country. Also watch ...Read more -
San Juan County, Utah
Camp at Goosenecks State Park
4.3Located near the southern border of the state, Goosenecks State Park is a small slice of Grand Canyon views in Utah. The park overlooks the meanders of the San Juan River, and canyons that have eroded over the millennia. This park is great for anyone hoping to learn about geology, get far away fr...Read more -
San Juan County, Utah
Goosenecks Viewpoint Trail
1.86 mi / 66 ft gainFor a small entrance fee of $5, you have the chance to photograph a beautiful canyon view without having to hike miles and days to get to it. Enjoy this rare luxury! There is a pavilion with a picnic table for dinner while you wait for the sunset, and there are also bathrooms if you need them. ...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Climbing in Indian Creek
Come November most climbers are missing rock season. It's too cold. There's snow on the ground. There are lots of reasons why you can't climb in my native state, Montana, come November. So when some friends want to head to Moab to go climb in the colder months, I'm in.Indian Creek is a extremely ...Read more -
Mexican Hat, Utah
Raft the Lower San Juan River
The put-in for the lower segment of the San Juan river is in the center of Mexican Hat. This is a permitted section of river run by a lottery, and you work to secure a permit through https://www.recreation.gov/permits/250986 Briefly after take off, the canyon walls begin to climb taller above the...Read more -
Lake Powell, Utah
Hike Moqui Canyon
5.011.1 mi / 1614 ft gainHidden in Moqui Canyon is an ancient petroglyph site, with pictures of animals such as bighorn sheep. The long, shallow alcove hosting the petroglyphs was once an Ancestral Pueblo dwelling.Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Hiking Druid Arch
5.010.28 mi / 1594 ft gainImportant Note: Druid Arch is located on the eastern side of Canyonlands National Park in the Needles District. It is not located at the main entrance to the park. Stop by the Needles Visitor Center and pick up a map. Your starting point, Elephant Hill Trailhead is then located 6.3 miles west of ...Read more -
Monticello, Utah
Hike Chesler Park and Joint Trails, Canyonlands NP
4.510 mi / 1755 ft gainThis world class hiking route circumnavigates Chesler Park by way of open meadows, slots, subterranean alcoves, stairways and slick rock.Begin at the Elephant Hill Trailhead and head south following signage for the Joint Trail / Chesler Park along the way. Once you arrive at Chesler Park turn lef...Read more
Top Activities
Camping and Lodging in Bears Ears
Blanding, Utah
Nizhoni
Overview
Nizhoni Campground sits in the Manti-LaSal National Forest in southeast Utah, at the foot of the Abajo Mountains.Recreation
Popu...
Monticello, Utah
Devils Canyon
Overview
Devils Canyon Campground sits in the Manti-LaSal National Forest of southeast Utah at the foot of the Abajo Mountains. Recreatio...
Monticello, Utah
Buckboard
Overview
Buckboard Campground sits in the Manti-LaSal National Forest in southeast Utah at the foot of the Abajo Mountains. Visitors enjo...
Bluff, Utah
Sand Island Group Sites
Overview
Sand Island Campground’s two group campsites are ideal for groups wishing to be close to the town of Bluff and the San Juan Rive...
Moab, Utah
Creek Pasture Group Site
Overview
The Creek Pasture Group Site at Creek Pasture Campground is ideal for large groups wishing to recreate in the Indian Creek area,...
Moab, Utah
Canyonlands National Park Needles District Campground
Overview
The Needles Campground and group sites are located deep within the southern portion of Canyonlands National Park in southeastern...