Blanding UtahATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Blanding, Utah.
1. Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum
ANCIENT PUEBLOAN HERITAGE
Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum is the site of a prehistoric Native American village that offers visitors a glimpse into the rich history of the region. The museum houses an extensive collection of Ancestral Puebloan artifacts and features a partially excavated village site with a reconstructed kiva that visitors can enter. Visitors can explore both indoor exhibits and outdoor archaeological sites, making it an immersive educational experience about the indigenous cultures that once thrived in the area.
2. The Dinosaur Museum
PREHISTORIC DISCOVERIES SHOWCASED
The Dinosaur Museum in Blanding offers an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils, replicas, and educational displays that chronicle prehistoric life in the region. Visitors can view impressive dinosaur skeletons, fossilized footprints, and interactive exhibits that bring the Jurassic period to life. The museum is particularly known for its displays of dinosaurs that once roamed the Utah landscape, making it an engaging destination for visitors of all ages.
3. Natural Bridges National Monument
MAJESTIC STONE ARCHES
Natural Bridges National Monument features three magnificent natural bridges formed by the erosive power of water flowing through canyons. The monument's bridges, named Kachina, Owachomo, and Sipapu, are among the largest natural bridges in the world and can be viewed from overlooks or explored via hiking trails. The area is also designated as the world's first International Dark Sky Park, making it an exceptional location for stargazing after sunset.
4. Goosenecks State Park
DRAMATIC RIVER OVERLOOKS
Goosenecks State Park offers one of the most spectacular examples of entrenched river meanders in North America, where the San Juan River twists and turns through desert landscape. From the overlook, visitors can marvel at the river's path as it winds 1,000 feet below, carving sinuous loops through the canyon over millions of years. The park provides a million-dollar view with minimal facilities, perfect for photographers, geology enthusiasts, and those seeking a breathtaking natural wonder.
5. Utah State Route 95
SCENIC DESERT HIGHWAY
Utah State Route 95 is a breathtaking scenic byway that winds through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the American Southwest. The road travels through red rock canyons, past ancient ruins, and offers panoramic vistas of the Colorado River and its tributaries. Travelers on this route are treated to ever-changing scenery that showcases the raw beauty and geological diversity of southeastern Utah.
6. Hovenweep National Monument
ANCIENT TOWER RUINS
Hovenweep National Monument preserves six prehistoric villages built between A.D. 1200 and 1300 by ancestral Puebloans, featuring unique tower structures perched on canyon rims and boulders. The monument's name, derived from the Ute word meaning 'deserted valley,' reflects the mysterious abandonment of these sophisticated settlements that once housed up to 2,500 people. Visitors can explore well-preserved stone structures through a network of trails that wind through the desert landscape, offering insights into the architectural ingenuity of ancient Native American populations.
7. Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
ICONIC WESTERN LANDSCAPE
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park features towering sandstone spires, mesas, and buttes that rise dramatically from the desert floor, creating one of the most recognizable landscapes in the American West. The park is located within the Navajo Nation and offers guided tours led by Navajo guides who share cultural insights and traditional knowledge about this sacred area. These distinctive red-rock formations have been featured in countless films, commercials, and photographs, making them iconic symbols of the American Southwest.
8. Mule Canyon Ruins
ACCESSIBLE ANCIENT DWELLINGS
Mule Canyon Ruins offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of Ancestral Puebloan people who inhabited the area between 750 and 1300 A.D. The site features the remains of a small village including a partially reconstructed kiva (ceremonial chamber) and several surface dwellings. The easily accessible location just off Highway 95 makes it a perfect quick stop for travelers interested in archaeological sites without requiring a lengthy hike.
9. Muley Point Overlook
PANORAMIC CANYON VIEWS
Muley Point Overlook provides one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the Southwest, with vistas extending across the San Juan River canyon system, Monument Valley, and the Valley of the Gods. The overlook is accessed via a gravel road off the Moki Dugway, requiring a short but memorable drive along an unpaved route that leads to the rim's edge. Visitors are rewarded with unobstructed 360-degree views that are particularly breathtaking at sunset when the red rocks glow with golden light.
10. Moki Dugway
THRILLING SWITCHBACK ROAD
The Moki Dugway is a breathtaking gravel switchback road carved into the face of the Cedar Mesa, climbing 1,200 feet in just three miles with grades up to 11%. This engineering marvel was originally built in the 1950s to transport uranium ore from mines in the area and now provides travelers with a thrilling driving experience and spectacular views. The road's name comes from the Spanish word "Moqui," used to describe the Pueblo people who once inhabited the region, and offers multiple scenic pullouts where visitors can safely admire the vast landscape below.
11. Valley of the Gods
LESS CROWDED MONUMENT VALLEY
Valley of the Gods features a landscape similar to Monument Valley with isolated red sandstone monoliths, buttes, and mesas rising dramatically from the valley floor. The area is accessible via a 17-mile unpaved loop road that winds among the formations, allowing visitors to experience the majesty of these natural sculptures up close without the crowds found at more popular destinations. This remote and less-visited area offers photographers and nature lovers a serene environment to appreciate the striking beauty of the Colorado Plateau.
12. Blue Mountain Diner
LOCAL FAVORITE EATERY
Blue Mountain Diner serves hearty American cuisine and Southwestern specialties in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere in downtown Blanding. The restaurant is known for generous portions, homemade pies, and a menu that features both classic comfort food and regional dishes with green chile. Locals and travelers alike appreciate the diner's consistent quality and friendly service, making it a popular gathering spot in this small desert community.
13. Twin Rocks Trading Post
NATIVE ART GALLERY
Twin Rocks Trading Post is a renowned gallery and gift shop specializing in high-quality Native American art, particularly Navajo rugs, pottery, jewelry, and baskets. The trading post is housed in a distinctive sandstone building beneath the iconic twin rock formations that give it its name, just a short drive from Blanding. For over 30 years, the Simpsonamily has operated this establishment with a focus on ethical trading practices and developing relationships with talented Native American artists from the Four Corners region.
14. Bears Ears National Monument
SACRED ANCESTRAL LANDS
Bears Ears National Monument encompasses 1.36 million acres of public lands known for their cultural, archaeological, and natural significance to multiple Native American tribes. The monument takes its name from twin buttes that resemble bear ears and contains more than 100,000 archaeological sites including cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and ceremonial kivas. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails, canyons, and historical sites while experiencing the rugged beauty that has been considered sacred by indigenous peoples for thousands of years.
15. Blue Mountain Foods
LOCAL GROCERY HUB
Blue Mountain Foods serves as Blanding's primary grocery store and community hub, offering a surprising variety of fresh produce, staples, and specialty items despite its remote location. The store features a popular deli section with freshly prepared sandwiches and hot foods that many visitors use to stock up for picnics and hikes in the surrounding natural attractions. As one of the few full-service grocers in the region, it provides an essential service for both residents and travelers exploring southeastern Utah's remote landscapes.