32 Best Stops Between Gunnison and the Monument Valley
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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 7, 2023
How long is the drive from Gunnison to the Monument Valley?
The direct drive from Gunnison to the Monument Valley is 286 mi (460 km), and should have a drive time of 7 hrs 39 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Gunnison to the Monument Valley, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Telluride and Ouray, as well as top places to visit like Curecanti National Recreation Area and Azura Cellars and Gallery, or the ever-popular Kebler Pass.
Top cities between Gunnison and the Monument Valley
The top cities between Gunnison and Monument Valley are Telluride and Ouray. Telluride is the most popular city on the route. It's 3 hours from Gunnison and 5 hours from Monument Valley.
Ouray, a municipality in Colorado, serves as the county seat of Ouray County. The city has a population of approximately 1,000 people as per the 2010 census and its postal code is 81427. Due to its natural alpine beauty and climate, Ouray is affectionately referred to as "Switzerland of America." It is a charming town that offers warm hospitality and breathtaking scenery which captivates visitors.
92% as popular as Telluride
13 minutes off the main route, 30% of way to the Monument Valley
Situated in a box canyon surrounded by forested peaks, Telluride is a former Victorian mining town located in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. It houses a historic district that features iconic landmarks such as the Sheridan Opera House and the Telluride Historical Museum, which showcases local history inside a converted hospital that dates back to 1896. This popular ski-and-golf resort attracts tourists from all over the world with its breathtaking scenery and rich cultural heritage.
Most popular city on this route
15 minutes off the main route, 40% of way to the Monument Valley
Best stops along Gunnison to the Monument Valley drive
The top stops along the way from Gunnison to the Monument Valley (with short detours) are Mountain Village Gondola Parking Garage, Natural Bridges National Monument, and Grand Mesa. Other popular stops include Hovenweep National Monument, Goosenecks State Park, and Bluff Fort Historic Site.
Kebler Pass is a scenic gravel road that stands at an altitude of over 10,000 feet and provides breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains. The area is serene and tranquil, especially during the night when it gets dark. It's a popular camping spot although it may be challenging to find available spaces during peak summer weekends. Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the exceptional hiking trails available around Kebler Pass while cyclists can navigate through the gravel road on road bikes.
We drove our camper-van eastbound on the Kebler Pass Road from CO Hwy 133 in August 2023. The road is unpaved most of the way, and is, generally, in good condition. Spectacular Colorado Rockies scenery all along the way.
David Lobree — Google review
Incredible, awe-inspiring views at sunset!! Road is open and well maintained. Easily accessible. Great opportunity to see deer and other wildlife.
Kelsey Cook — Google review
Perfect location for fall colors! whole drive is beautiful and doable in a 2wd vehicle. High clearance is not needed.
syed ali — Google review
Kebler Pass is the best place in all of Colorado to see the changing Aspen and fall colors. They have removed most of the mining paraphernalia so you won’t see a lot the history that made the west. Another drainage, Ohio Pass is near Kebler Pass and makes for a great loop to Gunnison and then the historic town of Crested Butte. If you are in the area you will surely want to see these spectacular mountains and alpine scenery.
Timothy Paynter — Google review
Incredibly BEAUTIFUL drive through the mountains! Drove from Marble to Crested Butte and WOW! I can only imagine how amazing the fall colors are with all the aspens. Any type of vehicle can drive this - very well maintained road that switches between gravel and pavement. Can't wait to come back!
Danelle Wesley — Google review
Great place to go for when there is fall colors. Small hikes here and there also great car camping if you can find a spot. It’s first come first serve when it comes to camping spots, well the free ones are. In my opinion this probably the best spot to go see the fall colors. It’s not too crowded on the trails but the roads probably so since the majority of the people who come here don’t travel more then 10ft away from their car
Mark M — Google review
Went to Kebler Pass on Septenber 25 it's heaven on earth. The most beautiful drive I have ever seen. You drive through the tunnel of aspen trees turn gold everywhere, don't have enough time to explore ,will definitely go back.
Wanitaya Newberry — Google review
I had never heard of this place until a dirt road beckoned me up the hill, after all you can't go wrong in the Colorado Rockies in Autumn. This place blew me away
Daryl L. Hunter — Google review
Such a beautiful drive.. I had to stop several times to take pictures.. Took some extra miles to see Crested Butte and Lake Irwin.. Will def take the road again when the color change.. 💕💕
Dean Gold — Google review
Quiet, peaceful, dark at night. Great place for camping, if hard to find a spot most summer weekends. The scenery is beautiful, hiking options exceptional, and the gravel road is passable on road bikes for the more hardy cyclists.
Chris Kellogg — Google review
The most beautiful place in Colorado for fall leaves. It’s one of the largest Aspen groves in the world!
Curecanti National Recreation Area is a network of three alpine reservoirs that offer recreational activities such as boating, canoeing, fishing, bird watching, camping and hiking. It is situated on Ute land and has stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The Dillon Pinnacles are a popular hiking spot with several viewing points along the road. While water levels can decrease in summer like most of the west there's still much to enjoy throughout other seasons.
This is one of our favorite spots to pull over and hike and/picnic as we head west from Denver. The water dries up a lot in the summer (like most of the west) but it's prominent in other seasons, giving you gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape. We love hiking to the Dillon Pinnacles, and there are plenty of spots where you can pull off on the side of the road to view the pinnacles from afar. Curecanti is on Ute land.
Paige M — Google review
This is a beautiful recreational area for camping, fishing, boating, and living. The Gunnison River flows along Route 50 into the Recreational area and fills up into a lake. The water level is low at the lake but you can still put your boat in. The National Park Service visitors center is brand new and just opened recently. Camp sites are plentiful. Enjoy!!!
Walter Dinda (Walt) — Google review
Windy mountain beaches. Lots of likable spots around the lake, but I liked the Bay of Chickens best. Cool, calm water lapping up the shore, facing the western sun, armada of chicken cloud-gods soaring through the skies—what’s not to like?
Nomad Nate — Google review
Absolutely gorgeous, the train, the dam, the river, creeks and hiking trails were amazing. Well worth the drive out there. Free and much more scenic than Black Canyon National Park.
Paul Schulz — Google review
It's not bad, and the hikes down to Curecanti Creek and Pine Creek were nice, but this area **as it exists today** with damned dams and all, per Marc Reisner in "Cadillac Desert," shouldn't exist. Add in that National Recreation Areas like this, designed around damned dams, shouldn't be in the National Park Service because they violate its Organic Act, and you have an additional issue.
Steve Smith — Google review
Gorgeous area for recreation and photography! Wonderful water reflections and unreal landscapes. Take time to relax and enjoy the scenery!
Jamie Quint — Google review
Fresh water, boats and swiming. This lake is HUGE, wraps around and along the highway. Really cool spot to take a dip and chill
Lisa Kukla — Google review
Fun place to get away at and the lake is beautiful. Found a nice trail down to the river that connects
CL4P -TP — Google review
It's great to have an electric hookup option in the shoulder season. We were able to roll up with no reservation in April and easily grab a spot on the electric hookup side of the campground. Limited facilities otherwise (no water no toilets) but everything we needed was there when we needed it. The main loops were plowed as were many options for spots.
David Godfrey — Google review
Very petty and interesting place. I wish they still allowed visitors in the dam.
The campgrounds are also closed.
Gator Tex — Google review
This place is great. Try to get out th we re atleast once a week on the weekends to fish wakeboard, and water-ski, and knee board with my wife and our friends. Boat inspections are fast and Jason at Elk Creek inspections is a pleasure to deal with.
Dustin Heger — Google review
Curecanti is a beautiful area. My hunting club and I hunt elk there. This summer I took a buddy hiking there and we had a great time. It doesn't matter if you are a hunter, an angler, hiker, camper, or road tripper. If you like the outdoors, there's something here for you. Take a whole day and drive up the drainages. My favorite is red creek.
Jason Karoub — Google review
What a beautiful National Park! Well worth the extra time to descend to the canyon floor.
Dennis McDaniel Jr — Google review
Go enjoy yourself, it's a great place. If you don't have fun here, then you need better travel companions. And please 🙏 clean up like you were never there so everyone after you can enjoy it as much as you will.
Joe — Google review
Some sites have restrooms, some have covered picnic tables. Most have incredible views. There are a lot of options along the Gunnison river, the Blue Mesa Reservoir basins, and heading to the north rim of the Black Canyon along CO-92.
Wendy Mulherin — Google review
So picturesque and peaceful! The blue of the water matches the blue of the sky. Just so nice to be part of nature and it’s beauty.
C P — Google review
Didn't do a ton here - we were mainly in the area to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison, but saw we could do some kayaking here. Which we did, successfully, with rentals from Lake Fork Marina.
We also stopped at the Elk Creek Visitor Center to learn a little about the area. Our kids were able to complete the junior ranger program (which they've enjoyed immensely at other NPS-operated properties over the past year) and earned a badge, plus a couple others the rangers working here gave them for other programs offered.
Another stop worth making is the East Portal. This is accessible only by entering through the National Park's entrance, which is a pretty substantial drive away from Cimarron and points east (especially if you have to wait in construction traffic on 50), then taking a steep and winding road down to the river's level. But also a really cool canyon experience without having to hike down into it (and the permitting required for that).
Also, the area's official map notes the Cimarron Visitor Center is open seasonally, but I'm not sure what season that is. The official website only mentions the Elk Creek VC. And when we stopped by on our way to check out the Mesa Creek Trail, it was a ghost town, and while the building appeared occupied-ish, the grounds weren't as pristinely maintained as you usually find at other NPS sites.
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Azura Cellars and Gallery
Winery
Food & Drink
Art gallery
Wineries & Vineyards
When I feel like there is nothing else I can see to make me fall deeper in love with Colorado… here comes Azura. Y’all I don’t know why it took me so long to find this piece of heaven. It’s like you travel to Europe, but I take it back Azure can definitely compete with any European winery. The views is absolutely amazing 😻 the tastings are a great deal where you try 4 for $5. Coco is the official mascot and he makes sure to show you around the grounds. Cachi also enjoyed the location. Make sure to add this location to your bucket list. We want to try the other wineries but I am not sure they can beat the view. Also the service is friendly and very helpful.
Dayana Gomez — Google review
Tasty wine, INCREDIBLE view! Can't go wrong with $10 for 4 wine samplings (and you get to keep the wine glass), pretty great deal. The winery has a yacht club just a short walk away and it was so much fun. We read about an RC sailboat race and were so pleasantly surprised when they told us we could participate! Jack with the yacht club taught us how to "sail" and we had an absolute blast. Super wonderful place to sit and enjoy a glass of wine, would highly recommend!
Jennifer Nguyen — Google review
I absolutely love this place. Views are unworldly, food was top notch, and wine was extremely tasteful. This place really is a slice of Italy in CO. Everyone there is so nice and can tell that it's very family oriented by the way it's run. They have a true passion in the things they do and it shows. I will be back without question.
Drew Tj — Google review
Absolutely beautiful winery. The landscaping, art, wine, and comfortable atmosphere are a must-see. We really enjoyed our experience here and would love to come back in the future
Natasha Laramie — Google review
Good wine, beautiful view and nice art gallery!
TG — Google review
Wonderful wine and then take a bottle to Chef Joe’s porch and enjoy the best charcuterie platter and salmon toast on the Western slope. Delicious!
Jessica Young — Google review
Absolutely 10/10 experience. The winery is set in the most beautiful location with a spectacular view. There is ample seating, from patio couches, tables overlooking the edge, and waterfront chairs, all of it excellent. We were immediately greeted and the service was superb. The wine was very good and we both found something we liked easily. My only regret is not buying more bottles to take home!
Brianna Staubo — Google review
First of all, approaching the winery was like rolling up to an Italian villa, with beautiful grounds and lush landscaping. The wine tasting was very reasonably priced, with the ability to sample 4 different wines for $10, and even included the glass. They were all very well done, and I honestly liked everything I tried. I settled for the yacht club red for my full glass, and settled down under their pergola patio, which sported incredible views and offered shade as well. We were really impressed with everything, and while we didn’t get food, we came back with 2 bottles of the Yacht Club Red, as it’s only available at the vineyard and not distributed locally. Guess just a good reason to come back! Azura was by far the best vineyard of all the ones we tried in the area and we’d absolutely come back!
Robert Foltz — Google review
First off the staff is very friendly and proud of their establishment. (as they should be) we LOVED the atmosphere and view. This place is classy and well thoughtout. My reason for giving only 4 stars is the lack of snacks. We shared 3 bottles of wine during the several hours there and hoped for a few more food options. This place is still a must... Make the time and come here... Bring snacks and sit back to enjoy the breathtaking sights
Scott Layman — Google review
We stopped by to taste some of your local wine and spent the afternoon. We had planned on visiting many other wineries around the valley but decided that after we were treated so well at Azura we’d just head back to Crested Butte. Thanks for sharing your beautiful property and winery with us. We will be back and share our story with our friends!!!
Thanks for making it personal and engaging with us on our visit!!!
Sincerely Floyd and Lori
Floyd McAuliffe — Google review
Great place. They offer free tasting and I our case we bought two glasses to enjoy their setting. The place is nice and a good stop if someone is in the area. We talked to the owner-sailor a bit. I am sure he has way more stories to tell. There is also some art for sale
jose lourenco — Google review
Such a great place. Chef Joseph Kerns was cooking great food and the wines were divine. Service was excellent and fun. It was a great place to hang out and meet some really cool people. Amazing views from the tasting room and seating area.
Grand Mesa is a breathtakingly beautiful mountain with a flat top that offers scenic views of lakes and forests. It is an ideal location for camping, fishing, and hiking activities. This natural feature provides stunning views of the valley with multiple stop areas to capture its beauty in photographs. The fall season brings about a change in colors of the aspen leaves, which enhances Grand Mesa's beauty even further. Visitors are sure to be awed by this spectacular mountain range that Hank loves so much!
Spectacular! Hank loves it here!🐾💕
Jeri-Ann McCauley — Google review
We visited Grand Mesa in August of 2023 and I am so glad we did! The weather was perfect.
We stoped and walked along many of the larger lakes (there are over 300 lakes) . We entered from the South 50 to 65 . Visitor center is far in, nearly at top of Mesa first 6 of 12 mile drive was gravel rough road and the drive itself is pretty shaky. The visitor center was nice, the lakes around the visitor center were pretty. Overall nice experience but be prepared for mosquitos in the summer bring a repellent for the mosquitoes.
Inshan Khan — Google review
❤️🌈 HOME
Visit the world's largest flattop mountain at the Grand Mesa National Forest, near Grand
Junction, Colorado.
Ciewantu — Google review
Grand Mesa is even more beautiful in fall with the color changes of the aspens leaves.
Kevin Robinson — Google review
We visited on the third week of April and it was still buried in snow. Although we couldn't see much of Grand Mesa, the views of the surrounding mountains were fantastic. We need to come back when we can see the actual mesa.
Curtis Gochis — Google review
If you have never gone for a drive through the Grand Mesa, your missing something incredible. The trees, the plushness, the lakes, all beautiful. These are just a few shots. We were so enthralled I didn’t get enough pictures. But worth the time and the drive! Spectacular!
Steve Bobrick — Google review
Breathtaking scenery all the way through we even saw some young men on the side of the road snow boarding and Skiing
Alma L Scott — Google review
B. E. A. uuuutiful! Absolutely stunning views of the valley. About 3-4 stop areas to take pictures. Highly recommend going for the Fall colors. Take it all in!
Nickolas Karichkowsky — Google review
It is a wonderful place full of beautiful views and great leather for fishing. We love going up for camping in the summer, and it has great trails for cross country skiing in the winter. Our favorite trailhead is county line, it has hiking trails, mountain bike trails, and in the winter wonderful cross country ski trails. Super family friendly!
Morgan Kids — Google review
The Grand Mesa National Forest is an absolutely amazing and beautiful place. Spend some time there enjoying nature, hiking, camping, fishing. The cotton wood lakes area is pretty. Crag crest trail offers some amazing views. The aspen trees get spectacular in the fall.
Daniella Young — Google review
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Colorado 81413, USA
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Sights & Landmarks
Scenic Drives
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Colorado, USA
I'll never travel to the Monument Valley without this trip planner again
This was one of the coolest museums we have ever been to! Our guide was super knowledgeable and Mr. Richard was an amazing person ! He started his collection at 4 years old !! 🤩 😮! We learned about Bob (his story made me cry) and got to see all the artifacts and rooms. My mom even got a visit to the dentist ;). If you’re in Montrose, go visit ! You won’t be disappointed!!
melissa W — Google review
We've gone once a year as we've been able, and there is always something new to see. Knowledgeable and friendly guides, with the option to not take the guided tour as well. This collection is fantastic and you can miss something easily, so multiple trips is really what it takes to get a true appreciation for what's been amassed. Original buildings that have been moved, etc. Great trip for kids and adults alike.
dena dickinson — Google review
Fascinating to see the collection from one man’s lifetime! Indoor and outdoor exhibits on display. I encourage a guided tour to get the most of your visit to the museum. Enjoyed this stop!!
Melissa Shepard — Google review
This was a spur of the moment stop along our road trip. We circled back to see what this place was about and were just in time to join the next tour group. Everyone that worked there just seemed really amazingly friendly. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and thorough! The tour ended up being about 3 hours! And there was still so much to look at but we had to get on the road. I would definitely recommend it to anyone that loves antiques and old buildings. All the buildings are authentic and were carefully refurbished. This whole thing was put together by one man who started his collection of antiques at age 4! The collection is quite large and curated well! It was really enjoyable and we appreciated it a lot! It was well worth the price of admission!
Reina Gattino — Google review
We have traveled this nation extensively and we love to visit museums. This is one of the most extensive and complete collections of Western America we have seen. The buildings, artifacts, knowledgeable and kind guides and learning environment is incredible. Our children were just as enthralled as we were by the wide variety of antiques and history lessons. We are big history buffs, but learned and saw so much! This is a absolute must-see stop! Worth a trip to Montrose simply for this museum alone. We feel lucky we “stumbled” upon it!
Misty R — Google review
Incredibly lovely and vast museum with original collections and buildings (transferred in situ) with well thought through living situations. Lovely staff and all run through donations and the entry fee. Well worth a long stroll!
Maike Strothmann — Google review
The Museum of the Mountain West was one of our best stops. We met the owner Richard Fike, who talked to us about how he started collecting items at age 4. He is now 83. His collection of old western artifacts is unbelievable. The tour guide Jim Wendt was an excellent guide. A must see if you're ever near Montrose, Colorado 😁
Daniel Davis — Google review
Hands down one of the best museum experiences I've ever had.
I had to wait for a girl scout troop to clear out before there was anyone around to help me out, but eventually I was able to secure the self-guided tour as I was told the hosted tours are about 2 hours and I didn't know if I wanted to spend that amount of time there after pulling over on a whim.
The owner/founder is a retired archeologist who started collecting at the age of 4 and he has a deep love for western history. I highly encourage everyone to take a trip there and hear him speak before he retires.
From what I was able to hear of the guided tours, the hosts are incredibly knowledgeable and you can tell the entire museum is a labor of love for them.
I will definitely try to make it back next time I'm through the Montrose area.
Jason O. Nungesser — Google review
Wonderful museum of local history and the wild west. There are many artifacts and buildings to see. The staff is awesome. I recommend taking the tour, you can see several artifacts up close.
comet1996 — Google review
This was one of the most amazing museums I have ever been in. Our host Jim was truly extraordinary. We spent about two hours here and could have spent an entire day.. The stop was not planned but I sure i'm glad we made time.. The collection was absolutely extraordinary..
Overland Generation — Google review
My Wife and I had a great time here, everyone was extremely nice. The way this Museum is set up really walks you through the times and places of the past. The knowledgeable tour guide (I recommend the all take the tour to get the full experience) introduced us to many facts that were previously unknown. Had a great chat with the owner. He’s been collecting for lots of years and is a very respectable person. We’ll be back for sure. If you’re into the History of the Old West. This is the place for you.
J Riddle — Google review
If you’re on the fence about visiting this museum, *definitely* do it, and *definitely* get the guided tour! This was an unexpectedly fantastic and amazing museum! Our family really enjoyed our time here. I would 100% recommend getting the guided tour for a few more dollars - you learn so much more and go in many of the buildings you can’t go in on a self-guided tour. Jim was SO knowledgeable and we went early in the morning (about 8:30/9am on a Wednesday) and ended up having a private tour for about 1.5 hours. Jim knows SO much about everything and had an answer for every single one of our many questions about the artifacts. I thought this was going to be more of a “road side attraction” type place, but it turns out Mr. Fike, the collector/curator of all of the items, is an actual renowned archaeologist and everything is historically accurate and original. It’s like stepping back in time and seeing things exactly how they were in the late 1800s. Plan on spending at least two hours here for the guided tour + time after to walk around and see the additional buildings. If you like to read everything and are interested in history, you might want to spend more time than that - there is a lot of very cool stuff to see (including a hunted house!)
Elizabeth L — Google review
amazing museum. Highly recommend going for the guided tour, we had Jim as our tour guide. Full of knowledge and answered all our questions. We even got to have a chat with the man who started and owns the museum. Much more personable than your usual museums.
Gary Gross — Google review
The kids really enjoyed being able to go into all the different buildings outdoors, and they had lots of questions about the items on display indoors and out. Even without a tour, they learned plenty and enjoyed the freedom to explore. We adults appreciated the care that went into collecting and arranging the displays both in the surprisingly extensive indoor facades (two little streets worth) and in the historical buildings outdoors, as well as the stories behind the preserved structures. We spent about an hour-and-a-half browsing through local history here. Prices for adults were pretty standard ($15 with tour, $12.50 without), and kids 6-17 were only $5.
Shereen Vinke — Google review
Such an impressive collection! I enjoyed seeing all the exhibits and the attention to detail was super fascinating! The volunteer staff were clearly passionate about what they do and my kids enjoyed learning about life in the old west. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the area!
Joanna Morgan — Google review
Not much of A history buff, but this museum had alot of antiques and I would recommend that you visit this place if you have the chance!!
Scenic wilderness area with a reservoir & swimming beach, plus yurt camping & year-round birding.
Ridgeway State Park lies in a dry, scrubby area. Most of the vegetation is typical of what you'd find in the high desert steppe or plains. Plants like: piñon, juniper, bitterbrush, sage, cactus and such dot the landscape. Animals are plenty and we often see cottontail, eagles, deer and occasionally, coyote. We only live 10 minutes away but we love this place. It's typically quiet, easy to get to with easy parking. Trails are simple and parallel the reservoir.
There are three different access areas with camping and one has a boat launch.
Daily fees are reasonable. It's a good place to kill some time while in the area.
Kiefer Thomas — Google review
We can't wait to come back. We did a couple programs with the kids at night and they enjoyed. Fishing, hiking, parks, and more. Stayed in a few camp sites and all were good, some great. Amazing camp hosts...we miss you already Tom and Peg (and Jerry and Cheryl!). Carrie, who ran the educational programs is a gem. So great.
Jim Otepka — Google review
Beautiful park nestled among the mountains. There is a $10 entrance fee but it’s worth the price of admission. There are nice trails, a swimming beach and boat/watercraft rentals if you don’t have your own. We rented a kayak in the Dallas creek area and spent an hour on the lake taking in the view and the cold water.
Caitlin Rodgers — Google review
It's one of the nicest state parks in Colorado!
Park is surrounded by Ridgway reservoir with stunning views of the Sneffles mountain range to the south and the Cimarron mountain range to the east. You can launch power boats and kayaks at the marina or drive to a 'beach' area to launch or rent a kayak (summer only).
There are plenty of treed camping sites to include electric and water, walk-in tent sites in Elk Ridge campground, and Pa-Co-Chu-Puk campground near the uncompahgre River and 3 yurts in Dakota Terraces campground. Note: This is a VERY popular park, and you need to make reservations months in advance!
Only 6 miles to the small town of Ridgway with great restaurants and access to hiking/biking trails. 10 miles to Ouray, the 'gateway to the San Juans' and also known by locals as "little Switzerland." Fabulous area to explore the great outdoors by hiking, biking,and jeeping and soaking in the hot springs in Ouray. Something for everyone to enjoy!
Photos include one of the yurts in the park. The rest of the photos are from hikes in the surrounding area.
Jan Smith — Google review
Great spot to pull over and enjoy some fresh air, cool off your feet, take a walk, or enjoy a picnic. Park is well maintained and the lake is pristine. Plenty of picnic tables throughout the park and a couple of restroom facilities. The “wildlife watching” area didn’t turn up much wildlife, but other than that the place was a home run.
Beep; Boop Beep! — Google review
It was our first time at this state park and we really like it. Even it was cloudy day and beach was empty we got to swim in the lake, got ice cream and went fishing at the evening (did not anything but still had fun). Campsites are huge. Bathrooms clean.
Easy and convenient dump station.
Bridal Kaleidoscope — Google review
Went paddle boarding and loved this lake! The no wake area is very large, so it’s nice going all over instead of strictly by the shore to avoid speed boaters. You have a gorgeous view of the mountains. Lots of parking spaces right near the shore. It is super dog friendly, which we obviously loved.
Bryanna Hollibaugh — Google review
Great spot with water, electricity and clean warm bathrooms
Given the season, there were only a few other campers in the entire loop.
Some are pull through sites, some have a shade structure, but not all of them
It was very clean and well kept, if you don’t have a account, you need to set one up for reservations because they are done online
Mark W — Google review
Just visited on July 4. A nice park for hiking, water sports, and just simply enjoying a mountain view. There is a river flowing through here and into the lake. If you don't expect a national park-like grandiose scenes, you will be rewarded with some calm and restful surroundings.
Peter Lee — Google review
Beautiful the weather was perfect for our short visit. New features have been added to the camp sites. The host were very kind and freindly. Unfortunately Ridgeway reservoir was very very low fishing was still good in our party they caught 6 to 8 trout. Definitely a must see state park in Colorado.
Sheila Drury — Google review
What a beautiful and friendly park. This is the first part that I have been at with recycling too. We did the yurt. It has AC and gas heat! Microwave and fridge with plenty of sleeping for 6. The bathrooms are super clean with running water. Firewood is 6 bucks cash only. Dog friendly to yurt.
Beans2g0 — Google review
Staff members are extremely friendly and helpful. Made my family feel very welcome in all areas. Clean and very well kept up. Beautiful areas for all kinds of different activities
Kristy Olsen — Google review
This is a great state park with so much to do. There's hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, camping, boating, paddle boarding, areas for picnics, and playgrounds. It's a beautiful area year round, and there's a lot of wildlife to be viewed as well. There is a fee to enter, but well worth it.
Diana Orr — Google review
What a beautiful State Park! Nice trails, the Uncompahgre River running through was beautiful. The main visitor center was filled with information about the park that you could read and any questions you might have the people there would gladly answer. All of them were so friendly and helpful.
D S — Google review
A truly beautiful spot. You can take your car right in the dry parts of the lake bed and launch a boat. Dogs are welcome. Also there are covered spots for picnics. There is plenty of space. You won't regret it.
shon wims — Google review
Nicely developed state park. Only 4 stars due to lack of a bike path from CGs to day use beach. Elk Ridge CG loops are nicer, shaded in the trees and have no hwy noise. Also a cell tower is up there on Elk Ridge that does not reach much into Dakota Terraces CG
Greg D. Lind — Google review
A new favorite camping spot for our little family! We enjoyed the large pull thru camping pad with electric, plenty of restrooms nearby, many easy trails to hop on and explore, and the lake: wow!!! The lake is just GORGEOUS! Bring your kayaks, paddle boards, peddle boats...whatever 'floats your boat'! The weather is cooler than areas north of it like Grand Junction, but the water was still nice and warm for our early August visit. Definitely recommend!
Dajana Swanson — Google review
Great campground with lots of space between neighbors and the view from the overlook are amazing! The hosts were very sweet and accommodating!
The Ute Indian Museum is a unique establishment dedicated solely to the history and culture of the Ute tribe, who are indigenous to western Colorado. The museum contains an impressive collection of artifacts and ceremonial dress, as well as being situated on the homestead of Uncompahgre Ute chief Ouray and his wife Chipeta.
Great smaller museum telling a history that has been ignored. Recommend a couple hours if you want to watch all videos and read the stories.
K Ga — Google review
Good effort to present the history and life of the Indians. However, not much awareness of the duress these people endured during the western occupation by the colons.
Also, the exhibit is quite crowded, thus a bit confusing. A path with more chronological order would benefit to clarity.
But overall it is to be recommended to visit, and see the outside exhibit as well.
Patrick Hurt — Google review
Small museum with informative videos, and artifacts highlighting Native American history plus gardens outside. There's a hallway filled with woke art but it is easy to skip. The rest of the museum is historically objective. Worth visiting if you are in Montrose.
Rob B. — Google review
This Museum is awesome. I have lived around this area for years and I have drove by this place a lot. I never stopped in to see it. My sister in-law had her wedding here and it was a beautiful place for a wedding. The staff was amazing.
Christopher Robsion — Google review
It's a wonderful museum, so much to see. There are tv"s where you interact with and are able to watch many different things about the Ute tribe of the history and many of things. Many benches to set and take in the views. Outside was also very interesting and informative. A great museum.
D S — Google review
A really fun museum, lots of history. Lots to see and learn about, a great place to bring kids. Definitely recommended stopping by here if you're in the Montrose area or close by.
Dillon Sawyer — Google review
Interactive exhibits for all ages. A first-person history told through video, science, art, dance, and image.
Grant H-M — Google review
There is much care and beautiful effort put into the displays. The attention to details is magnificent. Even the videos and movies tell great stories that need to be told. Some of them are heart breaking, and yet make you think about the details even more. The education is well worth the price of admission. They even teach classes such as moccasin making, beading, and others.
Jeremy Upton — Google review
What an amazing tribute to the Ute tribe. Gorgeous artifacts and displays. The grounds are so well kept and informative. Loved my time there.
Karen McGrath — Google review
One of the best museums I have experienced. I have gone to the new and polished Oklahoma tribal museums and this is more interactive. Really helpful videos throughout and hands on activities such as making beading patterns with glass stones. Worth a stop, even for 30 minutes
Shelley Austin — Google review
It's not huge inside but there are a lot of displays and information crammed into the space. Also, the staff there were extremely helpful. It's also worth checking out some of the things outside.
Steven Spearman — Google review
We really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the Utes— Colorado’s oldest residents. They are the only Indian tribe in the US that never migrated and lived continually on their ancestral lands in CO for over 1000 years until forcibly relocated to southern Utah in the mid 1800s.
LS Sheldon — Google review
I walk with the dog here in the mornings. Its quiet and peaceful. There is a wooden walkway that leads to the Uncompahgre River. I've spotted cranes, geese and ducks on the river. Lots of people like to start river trips from this spot. On the other side of the road is the museum. The architecture is interesting and the museum has informative displays. Children enjoy exploring the many yurts built on the grounds. There is a trail beyond the grounds that lead to Riverbottom and Cerise Park.
Box Canyon Falls Park is a rocky terrain which boasts an 85-foot waterfall and several trails for hiking. The park also has picnic spots and a visitor center. Visitors are in for an amazing scenic view of the valley from the bridge, perfect for photography. The area is breathtakingly beautiful and worth visiting, however, photos don't do enough justice to capture its true beauty. If you do plan on visiting during winter, be careful due to snowfall.
It was a wonderful hike back to the waterfall. and the view from the bridge of the valley was a amazing photo. Wish I had more time to look the area over.
Jason Armstrong — Google review
Amazing park the water fall is breathtaking!! A great park for hiking around in. You can hike to the bottom of the falls through metal bridges and stairs. The birds are nesting in the summer season and the waterfall is running strong. In the fall time the birds have migrated and the waterfall is not running as strongly but the fall colors all around you are amazing. So grab your camel packs, cameras and your loved ones and have an amazing day together exploring this wonderful park!! Stay safe and have fun everyone!!! Keep exploring ☺️
Tarian Reid — Google review
This is our second time visiting Box Canon and the falls and it is splendid, the waterfall is a sight to behold with power that never gets old.
We took the high bridge this time & traveled through the tunnel that connects the Ouray Perimeter travel.
Be prepared to climb & enjoy every minute!
Brandy Leonard — Google review
Great place to visit. Don't attempt the hike up to the bridge and tunnel unless you are able to handle steep terrain and uneven trails at times. If I were to do it again I would have continued back to town vs returning against the arriving masses. Best advice is to go early to enjoy relative solitude.
James Cooper — Google review
We parked at the parking lot for the ice park since the road was closed due to snow and walked down to the Nature Center. The Nature Center was not staffed, so we bypassed the entrance fee and strolled right in. The fees would've been $5 for 4-17 yo, $7 for 18-62, & $6 for 62-74 yo. It's free for kids under 3, seniors 75+, and military. If you go straight down the stairs to the left, then you can go on the metal bridge that leads to the falls. Feel free to explore and go down the metal stairs to rest on a small bench or get a closer look of the falls at your own risk. If you go up the stairs to the left instead, then you can go on the high bridge on the very top that has pretty views of the water/rocks and a cave tunnel that leads down stairs to a short trail. Be careful though - the trail eventually can lead down to private property where there will be signs. You can hop on the Perimeter trail from here too, which is cool. Overall, it was a great memory of Ouray and I would recommend
Katherine Boulton — Google review
Absolutely Amazingly Beautiful! Be super extra careful if there's a lot of snow!!! We fell a lot lol but it was totally worth it!!
Sam Pucket — Google review
Easy parking with bathrooms and picnic areas. There is a small fee you can make at the office. The path to the falls takes you along the sides of the rock then down a staircase to the falls. It was incredible to see! If you look out towards the trees at the bottom of the stairs you’ll see an old piece of machinery on top of a boulder. After the falls I took the path above and was in awe of the views. Highly recommend making a visit!
Kasey Docherty — Google review
Great spot for video amd pictures. You may get wet so be prepared. Gorgeous park and vigorous waterfall. Worth the visit.
Celina Nunn — Google review
Beautiful must-see area. We visit here every chance we get. We went in December this last visit, and it was a beautiful icy wonderland. Be careful in the winter, and please pack out your trash. There are a lot of stairs, but they are absolutely manageable. There are a couple of short hiking trails here to see the bridge above the falls, which is part of the Ouray Perimeter Trail and a nature trail that gives a little information about the plants in the area. The small nature trail is easy, but the one to the bridge requires a bit of climbing. This really is a beautiful treasure, and the falls are so loud. Fun for the whole family!
Diana Orr — Google review
If you have the chance to come here please do. It is definitely worth it. Photos just cannot capture how beautiful this trail is.
Michael Singer — Google review
There is quite of a hike involved with going to the bridge that goes over the falls but only a few steps to get to the base of the falls. The entrance fee was only $5. And the lady working there was super friendly and helpful! I HIGHLY recommend seeing the natural beauty!
Dan Newman — Google review
Wow! A must see when in Ouray. Wish they allowed dogs but it is a pretty narrow walkway and that would just make navigation too complicated. Easy walk to see the main attraction or hike 200 steps for a different view above or 50 steps down to get an even different view.
Scott Latimer — Google review
Amazing in town hike and waterfall. You can drive south out of town and go to the parking lot or you can hike up the “ car exit” road from in town. The hike to the lower falls is very easy. The upper falls is a moderate hike. We did it with 3 little kids with no problem (3,5,7). It’s worth the hike up to the upper falls. The bridge and cave are fun for the kids
Jake Zobrist — Google review
Loud waterfalls! Yeah. Keep in mind there are metals cages, walkways made of metal gratings, high bridges and a dark tunnel! Lots of fun. Happy people. Exhaularating in some places. Small wildlife, squirrels and chipmunks and some birds. Light rain in August 2023, price reasonable $7adults at time of this review.
Tammy Jones'Lee'Hafer — Google review
Hiked in January, packed snowy trail, sturdy metal hand rails, and/or cables. Not too crowded, the views are amazing. Crews were completing some welding and maintenance on the final path on the lower trails leading to the falls, so viewing there was not spectacular. The upper high bridge is worth the steep climb.
Kendra Decker — Google review
Out of this world amazing!! We visited this place in Dec. Snow and ice made this more of an out of this world experience! Not for the unprepared. Steep and slippery accents. Once you reach the Falls, be prepared to be completely awe struck!
Jamie Quint — Google review
You'll not believe once you get into the falls area how powerful the water is. Truly amazing. Hopefully on your visit, the gate is open so you can walk all the way back. If not, take the stairs down atleast. You can check out the falls from below and take in a little mist.
Matt Cloutier — Google review
This place is beautiful and a must-visit when you are in Ouray. Went there during Winter and would like to come back in Springs, Summer and Fall.
We went down to the falls first then went up to see the view of Ouray.
R M — Google review
We went during December and trail is closed however you can find parking at bottom in town. Make sure you park way of traffic or you will be ticketed. It is a hike up to Box Canon Falls but worth it. No restrooms are opened and you are basically on your own. I highly recommend this falls. Also look for Box Canon sign light up on side of mountain at night.
Christy McCleese — Google review
Really pretty area, hard to beat the mountains in these parts. I was only there in summer where you can hike some trails (they want you to buy tickets), but in winter you can ice climb the canyon!! Would love to see that in person. Just outside of town, not a far drive at all. Worth checking it out!
J. Barrett — Google review
Definitely worth seeing if you are visiting Ouray! It’s a very unique waterfall in a canyon that you can see from below and above. The hike to the bridge above is a little strenuous. The parking lot is somewhat small. It is possible to walk from town but easier to drive. The Box Canyon is a part of the 6 mile perimeter trail that around Ouray.
Our 9 year old had an AMAZING jump last weekend!! Everyone there was so nice and Ben was absolutely awesome and such a pro! We can’t wait to go back!!!
Steph M — Google review
We had the most incredible time at Ultimate Skydiving Adventures a couple weeks ago! Our 10 year old and 8 year old and Hubby all went skydiving! The team there is incredible. We flew with Ben and Joey and they immediately felt like family to us. They made our kids feel comfortable and excited and the whole experience was off
the charts! They were professional but also extremely personable. Our kids keep
Asking when we can just go hang out with them
Again. We live a few states away but will
Definitely be back! Thank you for making our kids
Dreams come true! As a mom it made me tear up
With pride watching our kids get to
Experience something so incredible! It was also there first plane ride so it definitely checked off some major boxes for them!
Jenny K — Google review
My 14 year old Daughter wanted to go skydiving for Spring Break. We live in North Carolina and contacted Ultimate Skydiving Adventures last week. From our first conversation to her jump on April 5th, everything was perfect and professional. She had one of the greatest experiences of her life and we couldn’t have been any happier with this Company. 5 stars plus. The best. Thanks you. The Pike’s
J Dee — Google review
Man what an amazing experience our daughters had jumping today. You won't find a nicer bunch of folks, and they really know what they're doing. This place drew us to the area from Dallas since our 17 year old can't jump anywhere else, and I am so glad we came. It was an experience they will all remember for the rest of their lives. We will come back.
Thanks so much!
Andrew S — Google review
My family has been on a road trip across the country, but this will standout as the Pinnacle of the entire experience. My wife and oldest sons are 9 & 7 were eager and apprehensive to go skydiving. When we arrived that all changed into excitement and enthusiastic thanks largely to the incredible team at ULTIMATE SKYDIVING ADVENTURES. I hope to be back soon with more friends and family to take part in this incredible experience.
Daniel — Google review
Since my daughter was 11 yrs old, she made me promise her that when she turned 18 we would skydive. Today was her 18th birthday. The promise she had me make so many years ago had been forgotten by her. But I didn't forget.
Wow! The only thing that comes to mind is phenomenal! This experience is one of those epic moments in your life. that you never forget!!! Isn't that what it's all about? Creating those memories for our children to always look back on. It was a beautiful day. My daughter and I flew today. What a bonding experience that was! Thanks.Ben. What an awesome time. We're already planning to do our next jump.
Deb White — Google review
The experience was absolutely amazing, extremely helpful and friendly staff. I highly recommend this to everyone. 100% worth every penny. The views are amazing when you're heading up to the jump height and it's just a surreal experience. I can't wait to go again. Just amazing.
Zomo360 — Google review
Wonderful and safe experience! Thank you to the entire team for an AMAZING time.
We made a week long trip from NY to CO just to take our 3 oldest, 14, 13 and 10 years old, skydiving. As such we reserved our jump about 8 weeks ahead of time and ensured all of our paperwork was in order BEFORE we left NY and also made room for 2 alternate days in case of bad weather. Thankfully the day of the jump was a BEAUTIFUL day.
The office manager Bri was very helpful from my first phone call through a few e-mails to my 4th phone call, she was great. Additionally all of the other staff and other skydivers at the facility were helpful, friendly and encouraging to the kids, high fives and fist bumps abounded.
Ben, the owner and instructor for the kids, was awesome the entire time with the kids. He interacted with them very well from start to finish. Thanks for taking great care of my kids Ben!
The end result is that all 3 kids would JUMP at the opportunity to skydive again, can't ask for more.
Thank you again to the entire USA team!
Alexander Block — Google review
Pure magic! We absolutely had the time of our lives! Ben is so kind, genuine, professional, informative, & cool! His enthusiasm is infectious~ he made our experience so remarkable…my 12-year-old son loved it SO much that he did a 2nd jump the next day; before we made the 900 mile journey back home! Sweet memories for a lifetime! Thank you Ben~ for offering this service to our youth! Love the professional Go-Pro photos & videos- high quality ~such a treasure to have & share & enjoy by re-living the experience. Highly recommend! Overall exceptional experience!
Tiffany James — Google review
I had a blast. Ben who was my tandem was super nice and had tons of great energy. He explained everything perfectly. Best experience ever.
bradon Zieglmeier — Google review
Such an incredible experience. Took my Son, who's 15, for Father's Day. Ben was such a professional but kept it as fun as can be expected for a first timer group. I felt in safe hands the whole entire way.
Scott Hawker — Google review
I took my son to Ultimate Skydiving Adventures for his birthday. We had to wait out a little bit of bad weather, but I appreciate the wait rather than a reschedule. Ben was so great with my son and he had a great time! He can’t wait to do it again!
Nicole Devaney — Google review
Most amazing thing I have done in my life! I will always be grateful for my first tandem. This was originally something I never thought I could do. Now I can't imagine having not done it. Thank you for everything.
Kristen Hartley — Google review
Me, my wife and my 16 yr old daughter and our friends jumped with Ben and Joey today. It was such an amazing experience start to finish!! I can’t say enough positive about their experience. We all had such an amazing time and they were so friendly and professional. The high was on point today!! Thanks Ben!!
Jed Malmberg — Google review
My daughter went for her 16th birthday and LOVED it! What a great experience!
Elizabeth Greenfield — Google review
My daughter had an AMAZING experience; the memory will last her a life time! We were well informed, every step of the way. Definitely worth the trip from New Jersey! I would recommend to may new jumpers, or anyone who would like they’re minor child to do a tandem jump! Thank you so much Ultimate Skydiving Adventures!!
Diane Haggerty — Google review
Amazing!!! Best several minutes of my life!! Incredible experience and would do it again!! Best 16th birthday present ever!
(If you get a cup from them though, don't put in the dishwasher. The sticker comes off 😂)
Yankee Boy Basin is a stunning alpine valley that can only be accessed by a 4x4 trail. This picturesque ravine boasts an array of rare flora and fauna species, making it a nature lover's paradise. The trail to Yankee Boy Basin requires hiking up after driving as far as possible, and visitors are advised to bring pants and rain jackets in case of sudden weather changes, such as hailstorms.
Yankee Boy is one of my favorite Basin in Colorado. We always come here every year. The wildflowers here are spectacular if you are lucky you might see wildlife such as bear, deer and many more.
Namie Suazo Morton — Google review
This was a very pretty trail! We attempted it in a 4 door Jeep last year, but had to turn around because it felt pretty sketchy. We returned this year with a 4 door razor and it was much easier! There was only one spot that we ended up on 3 wheels, but it was much easier to navigate in the smaller vehicle.
Laura Popp — Google review
Beautiful. Really fun road to get there too. We were stopping sooo many times for scenery. Absolutely gorgeous.
Alexander Mazin — Google review
Take your car as far as it can go and just hike up -you will love every second of it. Just bring pants and a rain jacket -it hailed on me last week right as I reached the base of mount Sneffels
MaKayla Hood — Google review
I would be more than happy to spend the rest of my days on this trail, in this area ❤️ pictures never do any justice! Absolutely beautiful! Please stay the trail ✌️🤙
Lana M.S — Google review
Unbelievable views! We drove over from Telluride for the day looking to get away from the city and closer to the mountains. It was the perfect choice. The higher you go the more challenging the drive. But the scenery near the top is worth it. 4x4 vehicle with some good ground clearance is recommended and is almost a must for the final leg of the drive.
Paden Lynch — Google review
Gorgeous, absolutely stunning. I could spend days up here exploring.
Bryson Russell — Google review
Great views, but can be a challenge with the rocks
Best place to park to ride the gondola, it's free!!!! This is also the best way to visit Telluride, since parking is so limited and expensive. Just ride the gondola into town
sharon copeland — Google review
Clean parking garage. Usually has at least 2 porta-potties. Great spot to park if you are skiing lift 10.
Jeremiah Renfrow — Google review
The view itself was 5 stars. The fact it was free parking made it a 10/5 stars! 🥲
Victoria Evans — Google review
Free parking. Not technically free overnight but we parked over in the corner and no one bothered us. Nice quiet place to stay
Anna Nagy — Google review
Great place to park and ride the Gondola. It's free to park. It is a short walk to the Gondola. Clean and safe area to park your car.
Christopher Robsion — Google review
This is the best place to park to go anywhere in telluride. And you get to enjoy the gondolas! 🚠
Keegan McCorkle — Google review
Great location. Love the low cost overnight parking fee. Plus there are Tesla Super Chargers here for those users.
K C — Google review
Not only the best place to park in Telluride but also the best way to get around.
Chelsea Longhorn — Google review
I LOVE the Gondola ride to Telluride! This is 1 of my favorite day trips!
Shenandoah Gillich — Google review
The Gondola lot is free (yes, free, and near Telluride), the Gondola ride is spectacular and free, so you can go to Mountain Village or over the mountains to Telluride
Glenn Kindred — Google review
Lot of parking spots and right off the gondola starting point, great service
kiran kumar kota — Google review
Super easy covered free parking for a day in telluride. Park the car and take the free gondola into town.
Jake Zobrist — Google review
I parked here every single day that I taught skiing for the last 4 seasons. What's not to like?! Free parking, reasonable size parking spots, a Tesla Supercharging station and 2 free Level 2 EV charging slots!
G Nunn — Google review
4.8
(66)
•
5.0
(1970)
455 Mountain Village Blvd, Mountain Village, CO 81435, USA
Veteran museum dedicated to local Native American cultures featuring artifacts & 2 archeology sites.
The visitor center museum was well worth the stop. Very educational and informative. We came here with three young kids (9, 5 & 4) and spent a couple hours exploring the museum. The rangers were very kind and knowledgeable. They gave the kids child friendly maps and scavenger hunt materials to earn a token at the end of their exploring. This kept the kids behaved and engaged. There are tons of ancient artifacts of the Anasazi Native Americans and a couple short films explaining the history. We had a great experience and definitely recommend. (*Note: If you have a 4th grader, this museum is part of the National Park free admission program; *Note: The visitor center/museum is closed on Sunday & Monday).
MA 13 — Google review
Staff were extremely friendly and helpful. Had a very pleasant time in the museum. Would recommend as a first stop if you are going to see any of the ruins in the monument.
Laura Carlson — Google review
Amazing to think how many people lived in this area before European settlers headed this way. We only did a few miles at the very beginning, but to see houses and structures over a thousand years old was pretty cool. Also at the visitor center is the museum, and I have to say this is one of the most informative displays I have ever seen at a welcome center. I learned so much in the 15 minutes it took me to look around that it was incredible.
will maxey — Google review
This is probably the most comprehensive collection of Native American history I have ever seen in one place. It's beautiful. It's not huge but the pieces and the exhibits they have are very well done. If you're even slightly interested in history like this I 100% recommend checking this out. There is also a .5 mile walk you can do that leads to some Indian ruins. It's very cool with wonderful views.
Taylor Harrison — Google review
Excellent museum. Informative. Staff are very helpful. Lots of maps and specific information for the area.
J. H. — Google review
Very helpful and knowledgeable about the area. They knew everything about the visitor center and will help anyone who wants to explore! 5star for sure
David Greener — Google review
Super cool place. Went on a day they were closed so took the path up to the ruins and outlook. It's a cold windy slightly snowy day. The path isn't clear and a lite icy but easy to get up there
Michael D Mercantini — Google review
Make time to stop at this small museum. Lots of rich history inside and out. Very well kept area, clean bathrooms, small gift shop, great museum and a nice paved trail leading to an overlook of the reservoir and ruins. Picnic tables and shade available.
Traci Ratzlaff — Google review
This is a great place to start your exploration of the Southwest Colorado archaeological sites. There is a small museum inside with a very large concentration of information and artifacts on the ancient puebloan cultures and way of and way of life in this region. There are also care centers that show the work and research done in this field with identification and excavation and preservation of other sites. You could spend hours here and really leave with a great understanding of much of the work that's being done in this region to better understand the early inhabitants. It's also a great way to get a better sense of what you're looking at as you head out around the region to look at other sites. Is it cost to visit the museum portion of the facility but if you have a national parks pass that covers the cost. The facility is nicely kept beautifully designed and there's also a small gift shop and restrooms along with a good offering of books maps and other resources for your adventure and exploration around the region.
There's a short half mile walk that is fully paved from The visitor center up to a site that sits atop the hill. It's easy to access and a beautiful sight and gives you an amazing view over the reservoir and the valley.
Chris Wilson — Google review
Sadly it was closed on Monday. We did enjoy the walk around their garden up to the summit where we could take in the gorgeous view of the reservoir. Unfortunately we couldn't see the museum.
DL M — Google review
The staff here were all so friendly and helpful! We stopped by while on a road trip with two small children under 6 and the staff pointed out age-appropriate activities for them (scavenger hunt, microscopes, discovery drawers, a short film). It was better than I expected for little kids. The temporary art exhibit was lovely as well!
Mel M — Google review
Wish we would have had more time to explore! We could have spent hours in the museum alone but wanted to hike and check out the ruins on the hill above. Lucky enough to be there on a free day so no cost at all. Staff is friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Beautiful view from the top with informational signs on the trail.
Susan P — Google review
The site is AMAZING! It really wasn't on my radar. I think it is because it is managed by BLM. They stink at getting historical sites advertised. I'm not really sure why the National Parks and Bureau of Land Management are separate. The visitor center is closed on Sunday and Monday, which is ridiculous since most people are off on Sat and Sun.
The plus for BLM is that even though they were closed, the grounds were open. It was a nice hike up and the view itself was amazing. But the ruins were wow!
Dustie Brown — Google review
One of the best visitor centers we've been to. Beautiful facility with large number of interesting artifacts on display. Wonderful staff! The store is also well stocked with a nice variety of books, mugs, etc. Don't miss the half mile paved hike to Escalante ruins that includes a spectacular 360 view of the area.
Fran Snyder — Google review
The pit house replica is cool. We enjoyed walking up the paved path to the ruins. It was a pretty overlook up there too! The kids loved looking in the observation viewers.
Cher Oliver — Google review
The visitor center is informative and interesting. It is set aside to preserve artifacts and records of archeological sites of the Ancestral Puebloan and Native American peoples in the Four Corners area. The exhibits on the history and of the people are fascinating and should not be missed. Water and restrooms are available. Plenty of parking.
Archeological site on 176,000 acres with villages & shrines of Native American cultures & a museum.
If there were 10 stars to rate this incredible place/ experience, I would not hesitate! To walk the same place where the ancients walked;:you can almost feel them. I've been here several times and am excited to return each time we go. The drive in is like being in an old painting....cliffs, caves, canyons, colors! Be prepared for hot days with lots of water, a hat, and sunscreen. If you bring your dog, keep in mind the rocks get extremely HOT on the paws!!!
Sandy Gates — Google review
Amazing, large National Monument protecting the places so important to many local tribes. Visit the Visitor Center, Lowry Pueblo and the exquisite Painted Hand Pueblo.
Marcus Lodwick — Google review
Great facility with lots to offer and the museum as well as a nice gift shop. Has a nice paved trail that leads to an overlook of the reservoir as well as a Pueblo structure. Highly recommend stopping.
Traci Ratzlaff — Google review
Just beautiful! My pup and I had a blast hiking Sand Canyon Pueblo Trail :)
Ginie Kwan — Google review
Free range less restricted more adventurous feeling than your average monument park. We hike the painted hand trail to the tower and petroglyphs. It was a very easy hike to the "view point". From there it's down a slightly challenging bluff for the kids. Overall great experience.
Chase Milligan — Google review
We spent a day at COTA. Our first stop was a check-in at the Visitor Center in Delores which was excellent. One of the staff introduced us to the Monument, asked us how we wanted to spend our time, and proceeded to point out numerous options for our visit. His guidance was helpful since the Monument is huge and moving around it time consuming and challenging. We visited Lowry and Sand Canyon Pueblos, and tried (but failed) to get down the unimproved road to Painted Hand Pueblo, but we still enjoyed the adventure. We did venture down an unimproved road that took us to a fabulous canyon overlook and had ourselves lunch right there. It was perfect in every way! Special Note: If you find any pottery shards please leave them for future visitors to enjoy. “Take only photos, leave only footprints” applies here.
Rob Campellone — Google review
An amazing and beautiful expanse. My wife and I were RVing across the county and chose Canyons of the Ancients for a hike with our dog.
We enjoyed a moderate to strenuous hike with beauty and amazement all around.
Take your digital camera and just start clicking...... You CAN'T take a bad picture lol!!!!! ☺️
There are trails and walking, running, biking are available on the trails.
Spectacular views from every part of the park.
We highly recommend you visit.
Terry Zahn (Wolfspyryt - WatchAwear) — Google review
Love these trails. Up high on the Mesa, mountain or around it, it is beautiful. Dog friendly, be sure to bring lots and lots of water! Ruins are pretty awesome. No bathrooms so bring a small shovel. Paths are marked pretty clear. Views or "spur" trails has fun surprises.
Marie Love — Google review
I only paid a brief visit in March 2022, having spent more time at nearby Mesa Verde, but look forward to returning for more time in this unusual place. Its literature states that "thousands of archaeological sites have been recorded in the monument, and thousands more await documentation and study." Looks like an explorer's & hiker's paradise.
David Bishton — Google review
This is BLM land and free to use for the public. If you enjoy being outside and hiking or mountain biking this is a great place to stop. Beautiful canyons and mesas. Some cliffs dwellings along the hiking trails, and a great mix of both short and easy and long and strenuous hikes.
Hole 'N' The Rock is a popular tourist attraction that features a unique home carved into a massive sandstone boulder. Visitors can also enjoy a souvenir store and zoo for a small fee. The zoo boasts beautiful animals, including alpacas, raccoons, and camels. The attraction is easily recognizable from afar thanks to the large jeep on top of the rock.
I like that this is an iconic place. You can see this from far away. But boy when you are there it is huge. The jeep on top of the rock is awesome. This is a very nice place to visit. Go in the shop and get yourself a nice fridge magnet. There is a good feeling being there. I like that stop.
Osman Cruz — Google review
A cute tourist stop. There was something for everyone, but the best was the tour of the Hole in the Rock house ($6.00). It was created by an eccentric but talented couple that had a vision and went about making it a reality. Their craftsmanship and ingenuity are truly admirable. There was a petting zoo ($4.75), gift shop, trading post and General Store. There were lots of quirky items scattered around the property to add to the whimsy. It was a fun way to spend a couple of hours.
Karen Zuk — Google review
Fun roadside attraction with so much to see. The animals were fun to feed, and the camel gave you a kiss. It did cost extra to get a bucket of food to feed the animals, but fun nonetheless. We did go on the tour of the inside on the homestead where you can not take pictures. It was a great short tour, and the other displays, zoo, and gift shops were fun as well. This really is a fun stop. You do have to pay for the tour inside the home, but it was fun and cool to see.
Diana Orr — Google review
This is such a great little place. We had driven by several times but just this Monday we decided to stop and it's now one of my favorite places because of the beautiful animals they have at the zoo. It's a small fee to go visit the animals and I highly recommend it, they have a camel, racoon and some insanely cute alpacas. They have nice jewelry as well.
Sandra Rubio — Google review
Came here as a kid and wanted to check it out as an adult. Stopped by to check out the store (didn't have time for the tour, which I'm sure is pretty cool). Lots of fun items, but I was looking for more merchandise with "Hole 'N' The Rock" on it as coming here as a child was a fond memory, but they didn't have a whole lot. I suggested they get shot glasses with it, a deck of cards and other common collectibles that tourists would like to have in memory of it. They did have a mug with the actual name on it so I bought 2. But there was lots of jewelry, some cool hunting knives, and other things.
They also have a petting zoo, and another gift shop (that was somewhat low on stock of items [mostly Native American themed]) and a separate quick mart.
If your passing by or are in the area I'd suggest stopping by. I did lose cell reception in this area so just be aware your carrier might not work here & plan ahead.
Kyra R — Google review
I really enjoyed seeing the lovely hand-carved cave home, and the site also has a few stores with snacks and knickknacks. The petting zoo is fun for kiddos but not wildly exotic. My only complaint was how they rush you through the tour and don't allow any photos (presumably to keep you going speedily). It's a 15-minute tour and we felt like the guide whittled that down to get us out.
Strangers' Gardens — Google review
This was an interesting experience. The attendants were super friendly and accommodating. The story is very interesting and if you like the odd factor you are going to dig the taxidermy and the decor. I am glad I experienced this. I recommend you go at least once.
Carlos Francisco Rivera — Google review
I love roadside attractions and this one is a gem! The home is unique and has a great story to go along. The outside area is great for kids of all ages and you might just find a zoo tucked in somewhere. All in all, 2 thumbs up!
A K — Google review
Friendly, helpful staff, cool collection of bumper stickers, pins, photos,souvenirs. There's also a petting zoo & tours. Kids can pose on the giant jeep. I didn't tour, pet animals or pose on the jeep (I did take a pic of mine for "bragging rights" tho', 😁😎). But I did enjoy a cold juice & the beautiful scenery.
Celeste Carey — Google review
This place is a must to check out if your in the area.. Absolutely amazing tour through a home that was carved out of a massive rock.. unfortunately there was no picture or video taking inside.. However there are lots of great things to photograph outside..definitely recommend stopping by and talking the tour.. glad I did
D E W Adventures — Google review
Just stopped to go to the bathroom which is a walk... into the area... follow the signs. I guess they offer tours of the place but I don't know if you have to sign up ahead of time or right then.
The holes in the rock is actually filled with houses. Loved looking at alot of the different oddities that are there. Really love the FDR carving in the rock, giant lizard on the side of the rock and Mater!
Karla Zdroik — Google review
Pretty cool place , very unique lots of random stuff scattered about. U can tour the home inside the rock , go to the petting zoo or browse the gift shop. Good for an hour or two.
Anthony Napolitano — Google review
Nice stop over point with good souvenir shops and a mini zoo (no patting)
They charge you if you wanna get into the zoo and if you wanna feed the animals it is 5 for a small bucket and 10 for a big one
The other side was a 12 mins tour to the cave
I will consider this place a good stop if you have kids
wanson luk — Google review
Fun stop along Hwy 191!
We spent a bit of time checking out the displays. There are a lot of very creative, clever ones!
Be sure to check out the unique home in the rock.
The restrooms were clean.
David Lobree — Google review
This is such a cool place. Went on the tour was very interesting. So worth the stop. Was a good time.
Brittney Jensen — Google review
Pretty cool. I wanted to go back and look around since it was just us on the tour but the guide wouldn’t let me. She kept saying she’d give us a chance to look around but we didn’t get too.
Barry St. Croix — Google review
We've driven past a few times & never had time to stop. I'm so glad we did! Trading Post, General Store, Petting Zoo, and even have guided tours! Clean restrooms, lots of nostalgic, novel signs and decor. Fun stop! Highly recommend!
GeralynK Rangel — Google review
We had a good experience. What a unique story they tell. And it's a must stop if you get the chance. They have a sparce gift shop due to limited availability on products, so if your lucky enough to see that special something gravity while you can. Very cool place and great for all ages. Clean bathrooms and polite staff.
Tiffany Lavigne — Google review
Why haven't you been here yet? What an awesome place! Take the tour and see how real homesteaders made it work in the desert. Enjoy the zoo and feed the animals (including getting a camel kiss). Laugh at the dad joke signs everywhere, including a view of the illusive Bigfoot. By far, the highlight is the actual living quarters. It does take a minimal fee to tour, but the price is worth the admission just to admire the work of a husband and wife who lived a dream. Not interested in a tour??? Well, at least stop and walk the gift shop for a taste of the hollowed out mountain. I'm certain you'll be amazed at the talent this creation took. It's one of the greatest roadside attractions I could recommend.
Hovenweep National Monument is dedicated to preserving six prehistoric Puebloan villages that were built between A.D. 1200 and 1300 on canyon rims. The Ancestral Puebloans utilized flat land farming in the areas surrounding Cortez, CO, in addition to cliff dwellings. The Hovenweep towers remain a mystery as their exact purpose is unknown but serve as a memorial to a past civilization.
I wish I could've stayed here longer to do the entire 4 miles loop because the trail to the castle is so beautiful! I saw all kinds of birds, rodents, and lizards. I was here in spring and went for a morning hike and it was pleasant but I could see it being hot when the sun is at full capacity. Remember you are in the desert! Bring plenty of water!
Brittani Wodicka — Google review
Nice place. Paved roads all the way with clear signage to get you there. Concrete path to the first overlook is wheelchair safe. After that the 2 mile loop walk along the canyon rim is easy with most on bedrock then a short trip into the canyon and back up the other side is fun with narrow spots to keep your interest. Trail is marked well with signs and the free map explains it all well.
Beautiful ruins all over in easy and close view.
Stewart — Google review
They had a great little visitor center.
Lots of walkable trails spread throughout the park.
A little off the beaten path. Which is part of the draw and allure of the place. We enjoyed the drive in and out as there is soo much to see. Roads were good. The views awesome.
Adam Vengroff — Google review
The Ancestral Puebloans did not always build cliff dwellings. The areas around Cortez, CO are evidence of the large amount of flat land farming done by the Ancients in this region. The exact purpose of towers at Hovenweep is unknown. They stand as a memorial to a past civilization.
Bill Clugston — Google review
It’s a nice place to visit. We ended up here because the Mesa Verde roads were closed due to snow.
Since it rained the day before, it was recommend to not complete the whole loop due to possible mud. The trail itself was not difficult at all and not very muddy.
Mike Tong — Google review
Incredible site with a large number of differenly-shaped ruins perched on and around the rim of a horseshoe canyon. Beautifully photogenic.
Marcus Lodwick — Google review
Totally worth the visit. Out of the way but awesome. There is a not too hard of a hike starting right at the visitors center. Two miles. Great views. There are other trails that are more remote. Gets very sunny and hot so prepare for that and bring a lot of water. Definitely go there if you have the time and the Lowry House.
Maryna Goodman — Google review
You can enter with a national parks pass. It’s not a very crowded place. I arrived after the visitors center was closed but there is a visitors center with a gift shop. The trails are well-marked and there is an fairly easy 2 mile hike but it involves going down steep stairs/steps through.
Bethany Crisp — Google review
Well worth the journey to get here. Helpful visitor centre, easy paved route to the overview. A well laid out trail around the site, a helpful trail guide brings the towers to life. The trail is easy although often over large rocks. Towards the end it descends steeply into the canyon and then steep uphill to the end of the trail.
Catherine Shawarby — Google review
Off the beaten path and totally worth the trip. Very few tourists but an amazing visitor center with friendly rangers. The two mile walking path is well maintained and goes near all the ruins. I considered it moderately difficult due to the part that goes into the valley. You could do an out and back to avoid that section and still see everything.
Elizabeth Hazel — Google review
Didn't know what to expect after spending yesterday at Mesa Verde. Quite the drive to get to Hovenweep, but it was well worth it. Did the 2 mile loop hike from the visitor center and thoroughly enjoyed the hike and the visitor center. A very nice day trip.
Mark Coleman — Google review
Hovenweep is a great but out of the way place to view prehistoric dwellings from about 800 years ago. A relatively flat loop trail takes you around a small ravine with remains of numerous buildings. The visitor center was closed when we visited on a Tuesday and it seems that the days it is open varies. The restrooms were open and they were nice with flush toilets and sinks with soap and water. Brochures and trail maps were available to guide your walk.
Bob Johnson — Google review
Good for a day trip or for very lightly visited overnight backpacking trails to other Native American sites in the area. The loop can be done by almost anyone. I would avoid the section that goes into the canyon for anyone who has trouble with up and down. You can go around it.
One of the best National Monument Visitor Centers/ Campsites I’ve been to. There are places to tent camp and for RV’s. I don’t think there are RV hookups. Bathroom is super clean. No showers. Drinking water at the campground but there’s a 5 gallon limit.
Rolled in on at 7pm Saturday night in late May and there were multiple campsites open. Campsites have a beautiful canopy, fire pit, sandy area for tents, and views of the mountains.
Rangers were super nice. Didn’t pay for my campsite because I didn’t have cash and they helped me pay inside the visitor center.
Leandro Sinco — Google review
A little gem of a park in the middle of nowhere Utah. A fantastic walking trail around and through a small canyon full of unique tower structures. Dogs are welcome on the trails. Nice little visitor center with shaded picnic areas. The Campground has awesome panoramic views of Sleeping Ute mountain. Sunsets are awesome! Flush toilets and some pull through sites.
be disappointed.
Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument is a small Utah landmark that boasts a rock panel adorned with an extensive collection of petroglyphs. Located on Highway 211 en route to the Visitor Centre, it is worth taking a break from driving to appreciate the vast emptiness of the area. Unlike Arches and Canyonlands, Newspaper Rock offers a unique environment and appearance. Visitors can explore the trail and learn about ancient civilizations that once inhabited the region.
This is a drive from Moab, but I will say, it is well worth the trip!! The environment and look of the area is so much different than Arches and Canyon lands. Get out of the car at news paper rock, it is very impressive, drive to the end and walk the trail, learn about the people that live so long ago!!! Might be the best part of Canyon Lands National Park!!
Shawn Stiner — Google review
There is nothing better than to explore our History. This is a beautiful spot to hang out, have a lunch or to hike around. Newspaper Rock is amazing and the first time I saw petroglyphs live. The surrounding area is beautiful with lots to do. Go have fun and learn! Perfect for a family outing.
C. M. — Google review
So. Cool!! I’ve never seen petroglyphs before and this was amazing. It almost didn’t look authentic. It was a lovely stop. There’s a restroom and it was pretty quiet when we were there so we stayed as long as we wanted to. We got lovely photographs with no one else in them and that was wonderful and unexpected. We highly recommend a stop here. It was one of our favorites in 3 parks. Or between. lol
Kelly Heimlich — Google review
Was in the area, went to see these amazing petroglyphs. 2000 yrs old and so clear and basically untouched. It's pretty awesome. I missed the turn the first time kind of sneaks up on you and had to make a u turn. Definitely worth the stop, also saw some colorful leaves for fall!!
Jason Burlingame — Google review
They're old, but no one knows (or can test) how old. Don't ask their meaning, no one knows. Merely appreciate how difficult it is to make images on rock, and appreciate their endurance through the centuries. Have a visit, don't disturb them or make your own graffiti and enjoy!
Mike Wise — Google review
Absolutely incredible witnessing petroglyphs. It’s heartbreaking to see that people have vandalized it by writing their initials along the rock or drawn on it, but people will be people. Please help preserve history and do your part. Highly recommend visiting this area and witnessing this spectacle. It was massive and made me want to step back into history with them.
Madison Taylor — Google review
Pretty awesome when you consider how old it is.
Certainly view if passing - may not be worth a long trip out as limited thing to see.
Crazysurfkidd — Google review
Another jump back in time hanging with the ancients! A beautiful drive right outside Canyonlands National Park, Moab and more. It gets HOT in the summer. Have lots of liquid on hand. We went in the fall and the trees were magnificent!
Sandy Gates — Google review
Way cool to see in person! We were there a week ago in Feb and not another soul there.. got to really spend time looking at them :)
Ruby Charlie — Google review
Great spot especially if you're interested in Native American history or just "ancient" stuff in general. Sad to see that people have defaced the wall with their names and other drawings. I was most fascinated by the kid/adult footprints and "monster men" drawings.
Michelle Beno — Google review
An historical site.
Ancient drawings on 'desert vanished' rock. The description plaque is unsure of the origins of the depictions.
These may be notes or directions left for those following.
Ideas or memories to share with like travelers, or merely artwork to be shared.
Think of a community bulletin board.
Interesting and thought-provoking.
A few recent scratchings by twerpigans. (Read vandals without supervision in their lives.)
Stephen Barley — Google review
Interesting collection of petrogliphics in their natural environment. Really worth a visit if you're in the area, it's a short 12 mile detour from the main road. The site could do with a bit of maintenance and the restrooms smelled terrible even from a distance. Otherwise a pleasant experience
Tim Anderson — Google review
Newspaper Rock is incredible and well preserved. The sign at this location says the petroglyphs could be a few 1000 years old! This is an amazing site to visit and experience the ancient history of this land.
Stormy Concoby — Google review
Amazing site full of petroglyphs. There's a fence surrounding the site, and it is just off the road. It's absolutely worth visiting.
Diana Orr — Google review
Very easy place to visit en route to other attractions. This is a quick stop with restrooms and a very generous parking lot. There is a short trail that you can walk and enjoy the beautiful nature. The Newspaper rock itself is very close to the parking lot and can be admired just steps away from your car!
Ela M — Google review
This was amazing. Just a short easy walk. Very beautiful and educational.
Donnell Brake — Google review
So cool! I wish people wouldn’t vandalize ancient history. Leave it for our future generations to enjoy.
We were on our way out of town and needed some information. Stopped at the office before it was opened but sweet Lynn had come in early and opened the door and proceeded to answer all our questions and give us some suggestions, including this awesome suggestion for good Mexican Food…which was the best EVER! Thanks Lynn for being so friendly and helpful. Tom and Linda
LINDA STRADLEY — Google review
Great place to learn more about the area, the person working here even had some advice about what to see near Monument Valley. Also, the bathrooms were super clean, which was very appreciated!
Alex Demas — Google review
a wonderful visitor center! a friendly gentleman was working the counter and there were tons of free resources, an ink stamp of the location, and a wonderful gift shop with so many great souvenirs of the Southeast Utah parks! highly recommend stopping in if you’re en route from Monument Valley to Moab!
skylar walter — Google review
The visitor center of Blanding was a nice location in town. The workers were very nice and were able to be helpful when asking for directions. They do have an assortment of choices when it comes to maps and books, as well as souvenirs for those just going through. Overall, it’s a good spot in town to get the best information!
Kyle Mika — Google review
We were in SW Utah for almost a week and never saw a visitor center until this one and this one is special. Clean, organized and friendly folks running it, a credit to Utah. Should have got the dark haired lady's name who made a difference on 8/26/21, she was so nice. This Texan salutes you!
Ken McKee — Google review
My wife and I are senior citizens and for the last two years have been full time vandwellers - travelling US and Canada. Which means we have been in our share of visitor centres.
But none like this. Lynn, the manager, is by far the most engaging and pleasant person I have ever talked to in this role. Her helpfulness and knowledge of the area gave us confidence in our exploration of this area.
The only problem - she offered is a free bag of popcorn - and then discovered her supply was gone!!
Thurland Brown — Google review
When traveling between Arches/Canyonlands and Natural Bridges/Monument, you must stop here. This is the nicest visitor center we've come across in our decades of road trips. They have immaculately clean restrooms, a nice exhibit space, loads of maps, brochures, and guidebooks, and one of the nicest and helpful visitor center hosts we've met. She gave us a lot of great tips for our trip in the area.
HAI CHANG — Google review
This was a very nice rest stop on our long drive. Very clean. Very friendly.
Amy Beaven — Google review
This is a great place for real maps! I love real maps because they show me so much more than Google. I can see alternate routes a s attraction that may actually interest me. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
Sue Sidebottom — Google review
This is a really nice place to stretch your legs, use the restroom, and see some history. They have lots of guides and very friendly staff.
Also, little shaded picnic tables on grass for those that pack their lunches on trips.
Nici G — Google review
Really clean restrooms. Nice park for the kids to burn some energy from long car rides. Big grass area for the dog to sniff out. Nice little shop with information on the area around near by. State parks , national parks and outdoor activities. Good for maps too. This has been my favorite place to stop for a quick break from road trips.
Lex C — Google review
Very clean bathrooms. easy to get in and out of with a trailer. Free maps and some souvenirs to purchase. Friendly staff. Nice picnic area green grass for the dogs.
Russell Milles — Google review
It is a very clean, quiet, comfortable (even with boiling hot temps outside!) Visitor’s Center with plenty of interesting things to see and souvenirs/gifts to bring back home! Very friendly staff there also, would definitely come back!
Pat McDermott — Google review
Lynn has been the kindest person we’ve met in our trip. She gave us all important info and the right tips. Grazie!
MaxGuide — Google review
This visitor center along the route was a pleasant stop. It is well maintained and the restrooms were so clean. Also, received some great info and we altered our trip to include an additional point of interest off their recommendation! Thanks for the tip to go to Natural Bridges Monument. We took the view in and the hike down was an adventure!
Maria Loon — Google review
We stopped here in route from Moab to Sedona. The woman behind the counter was very friendly and informative. Nice little souvenir shop and a couple rooms with cultural and historical exhibits. Very clean bathrooms. There was a pavilion at bottom of the hill with picnic tables.
Museum with exhibits on Indian culture & history, offering an outdoor Puebloan village & sculptures.
This was a pleasant surprise and gave us a good preview of the historic wonders in the area. Fascinating and informative exhibits. They featured an amazing gallery of photography of local pictographs. The images were so clear they appeared to be in 3D. There is an indoor exhibit and also an outdoor exhibit with a kiva and walking path around contemporary impressions of ancient artifacts. Definitely worth your time .
Carol Fifer — Google review
Southeast Utah is pure magic! And this park and museum just continues to add to the magic. We went last Sunday and were basically the only people there. Dogs on leash are welcome! The museum is overflowing with history, art, artifacts, and pottery. A person could spend hours wandering this museum! Outside, there are sculptures, a giant kiva with extensive historical reads. The views go on forever. There is an entrance, but it's worth every dime! Go to Edge of the Cedars State Park!
Sandy Gates — Google review
The level of archeological detail and quality of artifacts were completely unexpected. The photo exhibit on pictographs and petroglyphs were amazing and made you feel you were staring at the actual sites. Many people passed right by the images barely glancing but if you take a moment to read descriptions you’ll be immersed in these ancient cultures.
It was only $5 for an adult but I’d have paid much more if I knew what was inside. The pottery was so beautiful! Read about the discoveries of pieces by hikers and amateur archeologists and their stories to protect these artifacts from scavengers.
The architectural ruins in the back are nice but the highlight here is the contents of the museum. The staff was super friendly as well! Also the gift shop is thoughtfully stocked and reasonably in priced.
Harlan Price — Google review
One of our stops on our Southern Utah Trip. Definitely a highlight! The ruins are great but the museum is amazing! Well worth the time to visit, if you are interested in ancient Indian artifacts. Staff was very helpful and nice. Had a Kiva you could climb into. The displays were clean, well maintained, and self explanatory. The displays are much better than those at some of the national parks that I have been too.
Russell Markos — Google review
This is where you should start your visit to the area. It kind of puts everything in perspective from an historical point of view. The exhibits are some of the best Native American artefacts I have seen in the US... really a must-see. There is a 15 minute video which I would suggest is your starting point if you visit here. The contemporary artwork on display is also brilliant. The ruins outside are fascinating and there is a very fairly priced gift shop inside. Well done guys!
Tim Anderson — Google review
An awesome complex of extensive Pueblo dwellings containing Kivas and many other structures. Most impressive and a must see. with extensive information provided outlining how the Pueblo advanced and improved their building techniques over several centuries. Unlike many of the other sites at Mess Verde you can walk around up close to these buildings.
Markus — Google review
Great museum if you're paying though the area. Only takes an hour or two to see everything and there is so much interesting history you won't be disappointed.
Jared Street — Google review
This was a great stop! I only had an hour and wish I would’ve had more time because I felt like I had to rush through. There is a 15 minute video at the start and then there is art and historical artifacts. Once you go outside you can see some of the ruins. It is $5 per ticket. The gift shop had great souvenirs.
Bethany Crisp — Google review
Stopped for the night while on an adventure to the 4 corners and found this place while exploring the area. It's absolutely amazing place where the the native Americans have made their homeland for thousands of years.. I felt very privileged to have visited this place and given a glimpse of their way of life.. they live as one with the land and we could all take notes and learn from their way of life and knowledge. I definitely recommend stopping by and checking it out for yourself..
D E W Adventures — Google review
Great introduction to the pueblos & other artifact sites in the area. I'd recommend coming here first before exploring other southern Utah, northern Arizona & New Mexico parks. The overview really helps set the stage for your other visits.
James Brown — Google review
Highly recommend. The ruins at the museum are interesting and the museum is outstanding! Well worth your time to visit, if you are interested in ancient Indian artifacts. The staff was nice and helpful. The displays were clean, well maintained, and self explanatory. The displays are much better than those at some of the national parks that I have been to.
Sherrill Neese — Google review
This is a real hidden gem! You can get up close with the ruins - even climb down into the kiva. On a holiday weekend, very few other people were around. Amazing to have that kind of experience without having to rub elbows with other people.
The museum has an extensive collection of pottery, tools, etc. Wide range of displays to check out. There's also a lot of great artwork on the premises - sculptures and paintings.
Nicky — Google review
You must stop here if you are visiting the historic sites in the area. The rich education you receive is well worth it. Plus, there are guides and rescources to help you make the most of tour trio, navigate the sites respectfully, and better understand what you're looking at.
The opportunity to see so many pieces of ancient relecs was breathtaking. The opportunity to see and also enter a ruin feels very sacred. We did go outside but I didn't feel comfortable going inside out of respect for the folks who once called this place home.
1000% recommend!
Also, they have books with images and explanations of the petroglyphs that are on the walls of the museum. Most of these were lost when the US allowed the site of now Lake Mead to become flooded with water, so they aren't visible anymore. The book is at the counter and free to take. It starts your journey near the room for the short video screening, which we also recommend.
Have the best time and plan a few hours or full day! There is THAT much to look at.
A.E. B. — Google review
Absolutely spectacular museum,extremely well done. If you have any interest in ancient Native Americans a must stop.
The modern facility of the Needles Visitor Center is open for visitors from spring to fall, providing maps, permits, water, Wi-Fi and a picnic shelter. It serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park which is located 74 miles southwest of Moab. The drive into this area offers stunning views and easy hiking trails that are less crowded than those in Island in the Sky area.
Beautiful park. Great campsites, great views and stellar hiking opportunities.
just keeping up with the Joneses — Google review
This visitors center has some of the most helpful and friendliest rangers. They helped us navigate one of first off-roading adventures in the park. So glad we stopped in.
Deb Clif — Google review
I love the Needles district. It's not a place to view from your car, you must get out and hike in order to experince it. I visited early March....it was cold but oh so beautiful and pretty empty. Shout out to ranger Jen for helping me decide which hikes to do over a 3 day period and for offering up a ton of information about the park and the local geology.
Sam Undine — Google review
This is an excellent visitor center with plenty of stickers and magnets, and stuffed animals. There are some modest supplies like Advil, sunscreen, and hats and shirts too. The staff are very friendly and the place is very clean and well kept. There is a bottle fillup fountain near the bathrooms as well.
Jan-Michael Paul (JMP) — Google review
Wow. I enjoyed the Needles area more than the Island in the Sky area. I heard other people say the same thing. The drive into Needles is similar to a smaller Zion Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs and some Monument Valley all rolled into one. Great views and easy hiking trails. One of the best things was almost no people visit this side since it's about 50 miles for Moab but well worth the drive.
Capt. Norm — Google review
Very informative. They offer masks for those that don’t have one. Decent restrooms. WiFi is ok, can’t download offline maps. There is a self serve water refill. Passport book items and stamps are located outside the store.
Crystal — Google review
Overpriced everything mostly from china.
Better goods and information can be found on the street.
If you can find someone in there to assist you then you are one lucky person.
Mark Kirby — Google review
Our second trip to Canyonland and was able to visit the Needles District. We loved it more than Island in the Sky!! Would def recommend stopping here if possible!
Hien Ly — Google review
Nice visitor center. There’s a small museum with some informational displays about the area. Good selection of souvenirs and gifts in the store.
Arthur de Wolf — Google review
Lovely place for photography, camping and hiking. I really loved campsite A, which had a short walk to the toilets. The nights there where beautiful, the open sky with all the stars was just magnificent.
The rangers are also really nice and has a great program.
We weren't sure what was here but stopped in. We were pleasantly surprised! You can tell that a huge amount of effort and thought went into it. The "talking" photos thing at the gift shop was a little corny but we had seen similar at the Mormon Battlion center in San Diego. It appeals to kids. They show 2 short movies about the journey the settlers took. Both are very well done. All of the cabins have narrative and the stories were great. Really brought the stories of the settlers to life. We ate amazing cookies at the concessions stand. Pricey at 4 bucks each. Nice clean bathrooms. So many nice helpful people to guide you around. We spent about 2 hours.
Michele Schumann — Google review
On our way out of Utah we randomly saw this place and decided to stop since we were already on a road trip.It was free and we start in the gift shop. They had a nice selection of things. My mom found a very nice wooden cane that was only $15! Great price for s nice piece of wood. She loves the cane. The walk around the Fort was nice and educational. We stopped when it was the middle of the day, so it wast hot hot. My mom is disabled so we hurried through the last few. Even in a rush we had a good time. We stopped by the outside booth and got some treats. My daughter got a free small ice cream cone. She accidentally dropped it and the nice woman gave her another one. My mom and I ordered the old fashioned lemonade and soda, jalapeno brittle, zucchini bread with lemon, and some of the ice cream for ourselves. All of it tasted great. We had a nice snack in a shaded area before hitting the road again. Great little experience.
Saving Kittens One Litter At A Time (Kitten Care) — Google review
Had no idea this visitor center was in Bluff. They tell an interesting story of the pioneers that settled the area in video and displays. There is a lot to see in the fort with cabins that each told a family story and other pioneer displays. We didn’t have didn’t go to all of it as we were there mid afternoon, and it was really hot. Fortunately, the visitor center with the video was air conditioned. It's definitely worth a stop if you're in town.
Bryan Niebergall — Google review
Very place to learn about the history in the area. We went on Sunday and there was several volunteers dressed up there to give you a little history on how the settlers made their way through Hole in the Rock and how they made it up San Juan Hill with their wagon train. The store and visitors center was closed because it was Sunday, but still very cool visit! And it’s free.
Brandi Oldaker — Google review
Wonderful learning experience for all ages. Tactile and kinesthetic learners can enjoyably experience these historical sites and have meaningful take aways. We are blessed to learn from the triumph and trials of those that came before us. They had such faith. My kids didn't want to leave. The wall of pictures was a fun start to learning from the historical videos of these pioneers.
Jill Walker — Google review
Interesting little place. Lots of old time items to explore. Staff were super friendly. There is a nice gift shop and concession stand.
Fern Springs — Google review
Amazing place, especially for families to show what the pioneer days were like. This gem is free and liking walking back in time. Also a general store andsmall movie area.
Mamie Zembal — Google review
This was so fun!!!! We saw an original cabin from the 1800's and there were wooden cows to lasso with some videos of how the original settlers came to the area. There is also a working water wheel. It is a wonderful place. They have a working pump organ.
Elinor Robinson — Google review
The Morman volunteers do an outstanding job of making you understand the hardships, sacrifices, love and devotion it took to arrive and settle at Bluff Fort. Take the time to go back in history. Today, a hangnail is too much for many to edure!endure! Entry is free but please leave a tip.
Anna Perry — Google review
This place is historic. They have volunteers telling you about the history of this place and how difficult it was for the pioneers to get there. This pioneers were made of stunner stuff, brave, courageous with a beautiful dream to make a better life for themselves and their families. Don't sell their women short the keept the family cohesion and their children together. I'm impressed by the homes that are here and the artifacts that their ancestors have loaned this place. Is very impressive what they did. Let we don't forget the pioneers that went trough great hardship, decease, starvation, lack of water,hostile natives,and conditions that were unimaginable. I'm proud of this people that made this country what it is today.
Melvin Alejandro-Rodriguez — Google review
Absolutely amazing visit very informative history. Authentic factual homesteads with antiques from founding families
Deborah Clayton-Dobson — Google review
I've been to a number of historic sites in Utah and Bluff Fort is the most outstanding. It's free admission and clean bathrooms. It's staffed by unpaid volunteers who take anywhere from 4 months to 1-year of their lives and spend it there preserving the recreated site of the old civilian fort created by the Hole in the Rock Pioneers. That's a labor of love. They have a kitchen with proprietary hand made desserts such as the outstanding lemon zuccini cookie. They also hand make the candy, my favorite is the English Toffee. The volunteers help create many of the gift shop items such as rolling pins, bread boards, hand carved utensils, wooden toys, quilts, purses, bags, toys, costumes, metal items forged on site, and much more. The replica Co-Op has the best gift shop ever. It's stocked with artwork, jewelry, pots, baskets, figurines made my local Native Americans and other local artists. The volunteers dress in costume to help visitors feel as if they've traveled back in time. They have a clever video presentation that introduces the story of the pioneers and the fort starting with a funny "talking wall". The fort is stocked with well preserved artifacts donated from descendants of the pioneers. The replica cabins were also built by the descendants. There are two original buildings that have been restored as far as possible. The tour is self guided and has audio in several languages. You have to spend minimum 2 hours to really immerse yourself in all there is to see. The most prominent feature there is the strong feeling of peace and it's carefully maintained by the kindness and hospitality of the volunteers.
Angela Gallacher — Google review
Really nice must-go place if you are thinking on stopping at Bluff. The Fort includes a main building with videos, information and a gift shop and an outside area with many carriages, houses, UTE and Navajo tepees and other gadgets from the gold era on the east side of Utah (late 1800s). The house and carriages are nicely restored and the entire area to walk around looks very inviting with audio clips explaining the history in English, Spanish, German and French languages. There is plenty of space to park outside, restrooms, and it is free of charge, just donations based if you want to donate. Some volunteers will help you with any doubts you may have!
Victor Garcia de Dios — Google review
Excellent! Bluff Fort is well worth a visit. Our family learned much about the courage of the hole in the rock pioneers and got to visit the re-created cabins honoring our ancestors. Our kids loved playing around the fort and the bakery cookies were delicious. Great gift shop, too. Thank you for preserving this important and inspiring history!
Kristine Nicholls — Google review
I love history museums as a former history teacher and this was one of my favorites. It had a well done movie to give the back story to the community and the people who created Bluff Utah and the Fort. There resilience was overwhelming and the pioneer spirit as well as the devotion to family and faith were noteworthy. The initial museum opens up to a hands-on walk through tour of the Fort with the stories of the spces and families told in multiple languages. We walked through and explored each home and listened to the family stories of struggles, successes and hardwork that make this place exist. I appreciated learning more about their experiences and work to live peacefully with the local Native American tribes. I did not know this was a museum that highlighted Mormon history as there was nothing forced upon you. This was a gem of a stop and it is even better as it is free and they sold goodies as well as ice cream on the hot day and had a room with a mister to cool down and air conditioning in the main museum and gift shop area with locally made crafts. If you are nearby this is well worth the visit to better understand the struggles to settle in these areas.
Daniel Mueller — Google review
We just stopped because I wanted to use the bathroom. When we entered this amazing (big) collection of the Navajo and the Mormons we were blown away. It was all so neat and made with love, felt really authentic. Couple of times we pressed the button to hear the stories from the cabin owners. It was awesome. When we left, a really nice guy kept talking with us and answered all my questions. Would really recommend to stop by!
Went to House On Fire, then hiked another 1.5 miles to see a ruin. We got there about 8:30 a.m. and we couldn't catch the right lighting till almost noon. By then it was pretty warm and we were running out of water. We had a wonderful time, met some new people and we all were after the same thing. By the way you can't see it with your eyes.
Karen Christian — Google review
Great hike and great ending but I really hope they can preserve it now that it's a national park
Venessa Hansen — Google review
We had a great time hiking up the canyon. Not much parking at the trailhead (we went mid October).
Nicole Ward — Google review
House on Fire was so very fire! Easy peasy trail for everyone which was nice since I have a bunch of non hiker family member. :)
Jon G — Google review
This was the easiest hike to ruins we have been too. Way easier than butler wash, Navajo National Monument etc. You park on the side of the road and walk the canyon.
This hike is exactly 1 mile long and the trail is relatively flat.
If you go at the right time of day these ruins light up like they are on fire hence why these ruins are called “House of Fire”.
Ian LeBlanc — Google review
What a great place to hike to. Very easy, with only a mile, and no elevation change. On a Tuesday morning in November, there were very few people on the entire trail.
Alan Courtemanche — Google review
Nice, short hike to House on Fire Ruin.
Mike Plansker — Google review
Nice easy hike to some wonderful features. The House of Fire ruins are a favorite of photographers and are the first ruins you come to. Lets keep it nice. Cheers!
Hank Stites — Google review
Hiked up Mule Cayon South to House on Fire. Easy hike, great scenery and cool ruins. Not too busy on a Sunday in June.
Andy LeBlanc — Google review
The Mule Canyon Trail was a great way to spend some time off the road and see Anasazi ruins. The first ruins you encounter is the well-known House on Fire, named for the flame-like pattern above the ruins in certain light. We visited on a cloudy day, and so did not have the 'certain light' that was needed, still it was an impressive sight. Out-and-back to these ruins is just under two miles from the trailhead at the Arch Canyon Overlook road.
Great historic site that's a short trail along a huge rock formation and fence. There's a lot of history this way with some great hiking, camping, and much more outdoor recreation. Please leave no trace and be respectful. What an amazing site, we are truly blessed to be able to see this.
Diana Orr — Google review
Interesting huge rock cliff face with many petroglyph from various eras. No explanations. One has to scramble over boulders to get closer to see better. A big fence protects them.
Louisa Barnhart — Google review
Worth the visit. Well marked and maintained gravel road leading in. No recent vandalism that I saw. Very enjoyable even in the heat. Easy walk to the fence. Nice area all around.
Brock Warwick — Google review
This panel is very unique. Many images I have not seen before or put together as if they were writing a sentence. If your interested in the language of the past, then it is worth the stop.
Debbie Drives and Travels — Google review
It is just very short byway from the main road but totally worth it. I have never seen so many amazing petroglyphs in one place. You need to watch carefully to find some hidden ones. The place is next to the campground.
Ingrid Kacaniova — Google review
Short walk from parking area to the petroglyphs that are behind a chain linked fence. Some really cool petroglyphs in a small concentrated area.
Katy Crocker — Google review
Great park. The trail along the cliff with the petroglyphs is a moderate hike, with a rocky trail that is slippery in spots, but we managed it with two young kids and 2 big dogs. Little dogs might have some difficulty. The trail is also pretty narrow and there is also a lot of brush, some of which you have to push through to get back to the road at the end, but most of it was only knee high so we didn't get scratched up too bad.
We were a little disappointed that there was no access to the sand island from the shoreline since the banks were so densely covered with really tall thickets of spiny brush. You can probably get to it from the boat launch, but there were three boats loading up and the current was pretty strong out past them so we weren't going to risk it with the kids and dogs.
There were some trails that lead into the brush, but we couldn't see if they went all the way through to the water and they were too short for me to go through without crawling. My husband definitely wouldn't fit.
All in all, good place to come for a picnic. Or a nice hike if you don't expect to get down to the water.
Felicia Marsh — Google review
A neat little area we stopped at when passing through the area, but wouldn't recommend to go out of the way to see. There is a very short hike to the area with a fence to see the petroglyph. Took us like 5-10 minutes top.
Samantha Tatham — Google review
Sand Island Petroglyph panel is incredible. These petroglyphs were very different than others that I have seen. Last weekend, the flowers were blooming!
Stormy Concoby — Google review
After staying in Bluff Utah, this was one spot that looked interesting to visit along the drive. It is in a free park where several families were swimming and eating lunch. The site is pretty nondescript and just a fence along the cliff where there were carvings. We were there alone in the beginning, so I explored the whole length up and down rocks and the middle section was the most impressive. There were other more modern additions besides some of what you expect in petroglyph art. As we were leaving several other families came. It was very cool to me as a history teacher but you have to explore and climb to find some of the highlights. I have visited many petroglyph sites in the US and internationally and there were some very nice ones here.
Daniel Mueller — Google review
Amazing feeling to stand where indigenous folks stood thousands of years ago. Worth a visit! And there is a neat campground right next to it all.
Onward 4x4 — Google review
These are great! And a super quick easy stop right off the road. You can drive right up to them. One thing I liked in particular was the differentiation in the amount of desert varnish that had accumulated. I would assume the darker ones have been there far longer than the newer glyphs, and given the dates on those presumably left by pioneers, you can guess at the ages of them which tells a bit of a story in itself.
Having visited dozens of sights I think this tells a chronological story better than any others.
Rick Eastman — Google review
Quick stop and easily accessible from the main road. You can drive close to the Petroglyphs are and walk just a few steps to enjoy the beauty of the small monument. The area is quiet and peaceful. There is no hiking required
Ela M — Google review
Some of the best preserved petroglyphs we’ve seen! Feb 2024.
John Dye — Google review
Nice little stop off during our drive to Monument Valley. Trail along the walls is rough so flip flops would be a bad idea. There are clean pit toilets for a quick break on a road trip.
David Nicholas — Google review
I love visiting these ancient sites and looking at the Petroglyphs. This one was fairly easy to find. It is sad, though, that modern men have to try and leave their own messages over these Petroglyphs.
Dean Sevigny — Google review
Interesting place with a campground. Sad to see that some people have made their own marks on this wall.
Rob Garza — Google review
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Bluff, UT 84512, USA
I'll never travel to the Monument Valley without this trip planner again
Valley of the Gods, often referred to as a Miniature Monument Valley, is a stunning destination with Cedar Mesa sandstone monoliths and vast open spaces. It's known for its magical camping experience and offers breathtaking landscapes and monuments, especially at the north end of the valley. This BLM land attracts adventurous campers and is perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
Valley of the Gods is an absolute gem! There were nearly no people here when we went although it was the middle of the summer so it was extremely hot! The camping was great and this is one of the best places I have found to do astrophotography thanks to the lack of light pollution that's in the area. If you're looking to go somewhere off the beaten path this is a great place to visit!
Jeremy Janus — Google review
Beautiful place, many different viewing points and so much to see. This 17 mile dirt road is so much fun to drive. In most parts it's easy but there are a couple of spots that require some attention. We enjoyed our trip and would definitely recommend visiting.
Kaja SWIEB — Google review
Great drive. Wish there had a chance for a night stay, but not in the cards on this trip. Great place to overland or dry camp if able. The sign warning about driving conditions is a bit of a over exaggeration, we did fine with a Honda Fit in the group.
Dan B. — Google review
We arrived at valley of the gods in the dark after a long drive. This BLM area is just past monument valley and provides free camping with portable potty toilets at the beginning and end of the 17 mile loop that goes through amazing rock features. We awoke to gorgeous views and drove the entire loop taking it all in. There were many hiking/biking paths and other campers scattered throughout and it was a welcome refuge. So extremely thankful to have found this gem to spend a night and morning at.
Jo Raby — Google review
We stopped by on our way to the Monument Valley from Moab. Not impressed at all. The prominent features are visible from the highway itself, and driving on the dirt road to see them up close in not worth the damage one might do to their undercarriage, if not driving a 4x4 vehicle.
Aakash Sahai — Google review
Very nice and impressive landscapes !!
If you got a 4×4 or a buggy the off-road part is so fun
Mathieu Jacot — Google review
C’est là qu’on avait notre camping BLM dispersé, un simple stationnement au pied du Moki Duguay et qu’on voyait de là-haut.
Il est situé au début de la route Valley of the Gods. J’ai mis 2 photos prises en drône. Le cycliste est notre athlète du groupe, revenant d’un site accessible seulement en 4X4.
(Translated by Google)
This is where we had our dispersed BLM campsite, a simple parking lot at the foot of Moki Duguay and which we could see from up there.
It is located at the start of the Valley of the Gods road. I included 2 photos taken by drone. The cyclist is our athlete in the group, returning from a site accessible only by 4X4.
Guylaine Hamel — Google review
We were in the area to tour Monument Valley, when we stumbled across Valley of the Gods. The dirt road is maybe not for everyone, but a sunset drive through this valley is well worth the trouble. Big beautiful landscapes and monuments abound, especially at the north end of the valley. This is BLM land so the place is frequented by Boondockers out in the valley. It's a great spot for adventurous campers!
Arjen Sundman — Google review
One of the best landscapes part of the road is actually on gravel just the main hill but besides that everything is on new gravel. Take this road and avoid the main highway if you coming from the Mexican hat side I have a Harley Street glide and have no issue climbing that hill trust me
Is recommend it 100%
juan pablo giraldo tarazona — Google review
One of the neatest experiences driving in at dark but waking up to see what was around. This place is absolutely gorgeous and has some of the best hoodoos around.
Takes a long while to drive through and I was very glad to have a high clearance vehicle.
Brandon Cash — Google review
Absolutely loved this drive. Gorgeous views. You definitely need an SUV to do it... Really glad we weren't in a car and really glad it wasn't raining. There's lots of low spots that clearly flood easily.
Maggie Toellner — Google review
Great way to enjoy the landscape in SE Utah. 17-mile loop road was rough in places but very drivable. Bring your camera.
Jeff Server — Google review
This is such a hidden gem! If you are in the area (or within 100 miles) make sure you do not miss this drive. It is free to enter and showcases some of the most amazing natural rock structures in the world. The roads are rough so go slow. It is 17 miles. The first half is where the action is. The second half you are just driving out. Allow at least 2 hours considering how many times you will want to stop and take pictures. We took several pictures of the same rock formations just due to the changing angle as we drove around. Did I mention it is free? While less iconic than Monument Valley's "Mittens", it is a much better display of nature's awesome raw beauty!
Scott Ruland — Google review
Dirt road is not passable when it rains. No problem in sub-freezing temperatures, but you need 4WD. Great views.
Filippo Neri — Google review
This place is special. I personally consider this my favorite place of all. It's laid back and chill. Perfect to disappear to. There isn't much around and that's probably why I loved it. I will return to this place because it's just too beautiful and yes I am heavily bias because it's my favorite place. But please do visit this place, keep it clean and appreciate it. I highly love it.
TeamFurjan — Google review
If you're heading to Monument Valley, make sure you allow time to visit Valley of the Gods. Arguably as beautiful and spectacular. A must see.
Mathew Gilbertson — Google review
Nous étions en moto et la route était belle. Un peu de poussière si tu suis un véhicule. C'est une cuve entouré de montagne et de Monument. Les couche de soleil doivent être incroyable. Belle endroit pour un motorisé.
(Translated by Google)
We were on a motorbike and the road was beautiful. A little dust if you follow a vehicle. It is a tank surrounded by mountains and Monuments. The sunsets must be incredible. Nice place for a motorhome.
Natural Bridges National Monument, located near Arches and Canyonlands, is a park with scenic overlooks, hiking trails and camping facilities. The park boasts three sandstone bridges that can be easily accessed through short hikes. Unlike other popular parks in the area, Natural Bridges National Monument is relatively unknown and attracts fewer crowds, making it an enjoyable destination for those who like to avoid large crowds. It is highly recommended as a full day trip along with the approach to Capital Reef National Park while driving west.
I hadn't heard of the park before, but while making plans on a weeks vacation I noticed it semi-close to Arches and Canyonlands.
I added it to the agenda. So glad that I did too. There was virtually no one there. We were able to take our time and enjoy without a crowd.
There are 3 Bridges to see.
It doesn't tank long to do the hikes to get down to see them all upclose.
Enjoyable Time...No Crowds
Highly Recommend trying it out, if your in the area.
Rodney Williams — Google review
Almost like New! Very clean and neat with a lot of access for wheelchairs
Impressive views of 3 natural bridges also with paved paths to the over looks for those needing this type of access
Late Saturday afternoon and the place is empty. Picnic shelters are there with more being built. Pit toilet is at one viewpoint.
The bridges are huge and beautiful with a cliff dwelling surprise
Stewart — Google review
Natural Bridge National Monument is a gem. We arrived in late afternoon and enjoyed spotting the bridges on short, easy hikes. More strenuous hikes were available if we had had enough time. The rustic campground was completely full, and we were told that getting one of the 13 sites on a first come basis is quite competitive. However, the pullouts for the scenery and the hikes were not crowded. This is a remote spot, and I’m guessing star gazing is incredible.
Le Ann — Google review
Hiked down to the riverbed, amazing views of the largest bridge. Challenging and fun. Trail had ladders and some bars fastened in tricky spots. The drive through the park has wonderful views and all of the bridges can be seen with a small walk from the drive.
Sean Forschler - Realtor — Google review
If you like outdoor sports and appreciate the natural scenery, this is the best choice. The beautiful mountain scenery is a great place to make you happy and relax. I think I will go again. The natural bridge is really spectacular.
Sammy Le — Google review
We veered off our trip to see Natural Bridge NP. Great diversion as to see the three natural bridges hidden in these canyons (not hidden really as they point out each with a Large Sign & well mapped). Additionally, cave dwellings of former Navajo Indians & an assortment of condors, crows, jays & some yellow winged bird, yet to be identified.
Restrooms are ADA compliant.
No overnight camping or Hiking.
For as far off the highway as this is, I was hoping for more sights, trails, markers. That is why it is 4 of 5.
The natural bridges there are terrific to see. And people in wheel chairs can easily get to see them all.
David Danner — Google review
I wish we had more time to do some hiking on the longer trails. The park office and ranger was helpful. Beautiful site not just for the arches. Rock formations and patterns from nature and a great view of Bears Ears.
Janine Walters — Google review
I don’t think we spent enough time here to get the best from the place as we only had time to travel the scenic highway. The bridges don’t stand out particularly well from above - we wish we had had the time to hike the trail between them.
Excellent explanatory guides at the visitor centre
Victoria Pearson — Google review
I wished the weather had been better when he visited because it looked like a great place to do some hiking. We were able to drive the loop around the park for some good views. Looks like a lot of improvements have been made.
gjflyfisherman — Google review
Excellent and informative visitor center. Trails were well marked, with hand rails and ladders exactly where they were needed. Our rubber tipped hiking poles made the three descents and climbs relatively easy.
Rich H — Google review
This was a great national park. There are three arches in the park and we hikes to two of them. The Kachina hike was a favorite and we found tadpoles at the bottom!
Krystal Miller — Google review
A very nice place. There are three Bridges to see, all three have viewpoints so you don't have to hike down to them. If you do want to hike to them, there are out and back trails for all three. Sippau and Kachina bridges have 500 and 400 FT elevation changes respectively. Owachomo bridge is a very easy and short hike. If you want more of a challenge there are longer hikes that connect the different bridges. If your journey is going to take you southbound, after leaving the park then head south on Utah highway 261 to go take the Moki Dugway. Spectacular views.
Desert Dweller — Google review
It's incredible what you see in this awesome country. The park service does some amazing work making these places accessible to the public. The visitors centers are the first place we stop at where there is endless information about the surroundings.
Roy Lamphear — Google review
Kachina Bridge Trail was a ~1.3 miles round trip. Unfortunately, unable to complete this time due to the trail on the edge of the canyon with several feet of snow. Wait until the snow melts to safely attempt this hike.
Short video of the Kachina hike! https://youtu.be/vBVbbXvB_eA
Owachomo Bridge Trail was a ~0.7 miles round trip that took ~30 mins to complete. This was the easiest natural bridges trail out of the three to reach the bottom!
Short video of the Owachomo hike! https://youtu.be/RjqDtFMNbVY
Beautiful views of both Kachina and Owachomo Bridge!
Ed — Google review
Always enjoy visiting lesser known National Park Service areas and Natural Bridges did not disappoint! We were there at the golden hour before sunset and only one other vehicle was seen. Watching the sunset over Bears Ears was an added pleasure. The hike to Horse Collar Ruin overlook is a must do.
Kathy Tustanowski — Google review
Love this remote area of Utah. Doing the 8 mile loop is highly recommended if you are up for it.
bill carey — Google review
The rangers were very friendly and helpful. The hikes were short and easy-ish. It was worth going down to see the bridges from lower levels
J W — Google review
Great hikes of various lengths into canyons that are crossed by natural bridges. Not nearly as crowded as Arches. Mind blowing scenery in every direction. Many viewpoints for those insane or unwilling to hike down into the canyons and back up. Some trails include steps and ladders. Bring your water. And your camera.
jack gondela — Google review
Wonderful Park don't miss it. Less crowded, lots to do and see
Mexican Hat Rock is a unique and fascinating rock formation that resembles a Mexican hat. The road leading to it may not be suitable for regular cars, but there is a gravel parking lot about halfway down where visitors can park. Some adventurous individuals even climb up to the "hat" for an exciting experience. While many stop at the road for pictures, getting up close offers a better view of this incredible rock seemingly sitting on air.
Yes, Mexican Hat Rock is a pretty cool looking rock. It's fun to drive the dirt roads that surround it. But I was completely and pleasantly surprised by what I found on the road beyond it, down by the river - some astonishingly artistic red-rock riparian beauty. Take the time to drive down and see this one, if you can.
Doug Farrell Godard — Google review
Worth the trip. The road all the way down to it isn't regular car friendly. There is a gravel parking lot about halfway down. There was a small car and truck parked there. There was a full sized conversion van down at the bottom. There were people climbing on it up to under the "hat" (see pic). I'm too old for that but it was probably fun getting up there. Probably took quite a while to climb. Only dropped a star because the road isn't well suited to average lower vehicles. Some will still try and I wish them luck.
Mark Friedrich — Google review
Super cool and unusual landmark with a cool 4wd playground below it. Lots of fun photo opportunities here. Easy access from the highway too.
Mercedes Mike — Google review
Mexican Hat Rock in Utah is an intriguing and striking stone feature in Mexican Hat, Utah. It stands in a pretty desolate area, making it a relatively easy area to explore and get photos. It’s a cool but somewhat nondescript area.
Joe H. — Google review
Awesome spot not far from Monument Valley. Easy to get to and we were lucky enough to be the only ones there. Easy hike up to the bottom of the monument.
Colby Lingenfelter — Google review
My wife and son hiked up to the base and we took awesome drone pics. This is free and a great place to stop if your headed to monument valley.
Scott Wakefield — Google review
This is a great place to visit. You can do a small hike in the surrounding area with stunning sightseeing.
Alex Martinez — Google review
We almost didn’t stop here but glad we did. Cool rock feature in the area. We drove up as far as we could with our Jeep and could have went farther.
Deb Clif — Google review
The views are impressive, and the hike is easy and short. You can't climb up the actual structure but you can go right up to the base and it's definitely worth it.
will maxey — Google review
Great rock formation. We stopped and checked it out on the way to Valley of the Gods Road. Be careful, a lot of NO Trespassing Signs. Please like my review/pictures and follow along on all my adventures. Jeff Mullins Photography. It's All About the Adventures!
Jeff Mullins — Google review
Love this place. just off the main road. its full of some amazing views. Places to camp. small town near by with a all the amentities you need. gas station restaurants hotels post office rafting. great little hidden gem. hopefully it stays that way for awhile
Max Sperlich — Google review
Interesting rock formation, that indeed resembles a mexican hat. We drove by on our way to Monument Valley and decided to take the dirt road that leads to this landmark (easy, we could drive on it with our Mustang). During our visit it had just finished raining and a very nice rainbow framed the rock.
Federico Salvati — Google review
Unique crazy looking rock sitting on a small pedestal is unreachable. Many stop at the road for pics but up close is better to see it sitting on air . You can camp there for a fee but no one was there. The little town is named after it and offers RV stays and I think 2 hotels. Gas is there but at a premium bc of its remoteness
Stewart — Google review
Cool road side attraction with some amazing camping. You need to pay online but there is a bit of dispersed primitive camping in beautiful scenery. Bring your own toilet and water. Camera too.
This state park is built around entrenched meanders of the San Juan River and offers sweeping views of the river and surrounding canyon. The park charges a $5 entry fee, but visitors can also camp for $10 per night. There is a toilet and no water available for washing hands, but the view is worth it!
We got to Goosenecks State Park just before sunset to catch it going down over the horizon. There was almost no one there and it felt like we were shooting on another planet. The canyons are beautiful and the way the sun sets on the ridges is absolutely mesmerizing. I do wish we would have had more time to explore the park but if nothing else I would say this was one of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen during my time in Utah. It truly is breathtaking and peaceful there!
Jeremy Janus — Google review
This landmark is a short drive off the main highway, it cost $5 per vehicle to get into the parking lot. We had lunch here and the view is really spectacular. Great stop for lunch. There are pit style toilets that were pretty clean and some covered picnic tables. It wasn't too busy while we were there.
Tanner Leavitt — Google review
Very cool and a little scary to be able to camp around the rim. Be prepared for no shade except for the sites near the entrance. Really hot when we visited in early September. Sunset/sunrise and the night sky were all very beautiful to experience here.
Friendly staff at the park. Would come back.
Angela Santiago — Google review
One of the most amazing places I've camped. A photographers dream. 29 months on the road and I don't often stay at places that you have to pay to stay at but this was 100% worth the $10 per night fee. Wonderful views and places to explore. Out of every place I went on the Grand circle this is the place I will remember the most. Breathtaking and beautiful.
Rebecca Lents — Google review
Wonderful place to Boondock for a couple of days!
The staff at the gate were very friendly and happy to see you there! Thank You!
The views of the canyon/Goosenecks were fabulous! I'd never seen anything like it. We were able to park near the rim and what views we had!!! The sunsets were magnificent and the "stars" were abundantly brilliant to see! You gotta stop in if you're in the area, day or night, it is a site to see.
Lawrence Pasierb — Google review
I came to this region for Monument Valley, but I was spending over a week in the area, so did some adventuring. I am so happy that I found the Goosenecks. The view is incredible, and the sky at night while we were there was striking. If you have a chance, you owe it to yourself to swing through.
Jared Cassidy — Google review
It's okay, could not get permit to stay at campground, even though it was empty. Tried to find Honaker Trailhead and camp there, but ended up driving all around all the primitive roads. But I have to admit the views from Gooseneck is one of the most beautiful sites, especially at sundown.
Domonique Latimer — Google review
Mini horseshoe bend / canyon quite a small park but if you are in the area it is worth a look.
National park passes will not get you in here but it is just $5 per car so not a killer amount.
Paul Cousins — Google review
Nice little park with about 2 miles of walking trail and plenty of space for camping. There’s no trees or privacy however so it’d be a good place to stop in an RV or go car camping. The park is also dog friendly and a good replacement for Horseshoe Bend if you want no crowds.
Kristin — Google review
Loved it! I would like to go back and dry camp right on the edge! $5 to enter the park, $10 if you are camping. There is a toilet, no water for washing hands.
Lisa Modglin — Google review
Very small state park, which is $5.00 to enter and $10.00 to camp. We stay the night close to the edge and it was beautiful. This over looks the San Juan River, but what you see is what you get. This is all there is to the park with no service or running water so just come prepared to enjoy a night taking in spectacular views of this beautiful landscape. It's real close to Valley of the God's and the Moki Dugway.
Samantha Tatham — Google review
Fantastic scenic view site! Drive right up. $5 entrance fee. The power of mother nature is truly amazing! Visitors from all over the world (be sure to sign the visitors log)
Ben Neal — Google review
Goosenecks State Park doesn’t have many amenities but makes up for it with some amazing scenery. It essentially is a place where you can walk up to the rim and overlook multiple river bends about a thousand feet below. One of the bends has a unique shape similar to a gooses neck hence the name. There are no railings or paths other than walking along the rim of the park area to overlook the river below. Be careful especially with young children in this park.
Doug Hoppe — Google review
Think Horseshoe Bend on a smaller scale, but many more bends. We paid $5 for the entire vehicle to enter. The road dead ends into the park. There was one other vehicle when we were there on a Sunday in July 2023. Would have been able to park RV. Parking is steps from the lookout, so very little walking! Absolutely amazing to see! Highly recommend! Bathrooms were available though we did not use. It's very close to Valley of the God's (do not skip seeing this!) and Forest Gumps famous highway (approx. 15 miles?).
Gaile Sentney — Google review
I came here to see the annular eclipse. There’s a nice road entering the park. There’s plenty of space to park. And the bathrooms are very we kept. After that it’s all about the view. The San Juan river carving it’s way through the canyon is absolutely beautiful.
Sam Miller — Google review
Super unique campground...all boondocking spots. $10/night trash cans provided. Nice drive in. Verizon adequately worked with a directional antenna...extended network, so not the best. Shed attendants were all super nice and helpful. What a site to see!!! We'd go back if in the area and Def recommend. Any size rig fits.
Kodiak Diaries — Google review
Utterly gorgeous entrenched meander with dramatic geology, off the beaten path. We only stopped for day use but this would be an absolutely stunning place for RV dry camping.
Rebecca Bedell — Google review
Epic Camping and views are another level. Sunrise hitting the canyons and monument valley was incredible. Will visit again
Kushal Wagle — Google review
Amazing view of the canyon and San Juan river. River comes from Colorado and ends in Lake Powell. Saw some kayakers, looks like it would make a crazy awesome adventure to kayak the canyon.
Justin B — Google review
Don't skip this state park. Very small but 360 degree views!!! Has to magical T night with no light pollution! Camping is is cheap and so was the entry fee of 5.00.
WeWorkToRoam — Google review
Worth the 15 min excursion off the main highway. 5 dollar state park entry fee the views are worth every penny
Highway 163, located in Monument Valley, served as the backdrop for a well-known scene in the popular movie Forrest Gump. Tom Hanks' character is depicted running across America and is shown on this highway with the Mitten Buttes, impressive rock formations, behind him. This spot has become known as Forrest Gump Point and has since become one of the most photographed locations in Monument Valley due to its unique composition.
Iconic view point of Monument Valley, famous for being the set of a scene from Forrest Gump movie.
Just park your car on the side of the road (a pullout area is present), get off and take some wonderful pictures.
The place can get crowded but waiting times are never too long.
However, be careful of traffic, as cars drive by fast.
Federico Salvati — Google review
Even if you are not a fan of the movie, this is still worth checking out, just for the views. We arrived at 9:30 on a Friday and there were already about 30 other people there. Crowds would come and go and for the most part everyone worked together to watch out for traffic and take turns getting photos & videos. There are plenty of pull off spaces along the side of the road, we were even able to find a spot large enough for our RV and tow car. I would imagine the earlier you can get here, the better for photos. You don't have to stand in the middle of the road for photos, in fact I think the photos that we took from the side of the road on the small hills came out better then the street ones.
Moving Forward Adventures — Google review
Definitely a view to look at, but you won't get it without seeing people doing funny things. Maybe that's a bonus. Be careful as cars are going by high speed. Take your time and if you want to capture the view in photos, plan how you are going to frame it. Then when the road is clear, take your image. But again getting one clean image without people is a tricky one for sure.
Sankha S Hota — Google review
This point is awesome, you can get the achievement of a classic movie and also review the impressive view. It was cloudy and wet day, so we barely saw the mountain behind. We stayed there for 1 hour wait for cloud fly away. It worth though hahaha. This point is on the way, watch out the car!!!
YH Chou — Google review
The place and the view are amazing. Not just for Forrest Gump fans. It is a normal road with cars going up and down (speed is slightly limited, but should be down to 20-25 mph for safety reasons), several pullouts for parking the cars.
People we met standing, laying, walking... on the road had "no morals". There is unlimited combination of taking photo/video for a group of 3 people (camera on the road. One is running, second is running, 3rd is running, group is running, 1st is laying on the road... Each idea must be taken as a photo, then a video. From the road. From 1 meter high, from 2 meters. Each of 3 people has at least one mobile. It means that everything must be done repeatedly on every single device. It doesn't stop because they also have gopro... You have been standing there for 15 minutes, but another hero takes a tripod and goes in front of everyone and also does several photo shooting disciplines. And he is suddenly in the photos of all the other people for the next > 10 minutes)
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