Monticello UtahATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Monticello, Utah.
1. Newspaper Rock Recreation Site
ANCIENT PETROGLYPHIC STORIES
Newspaper Rock Recreation Site features one of Utah's largest and best-preserved rock art collections, with petroglyphs dating back 2,000 years. This remarkable historical monument showcases carvings created by various Native American cultures from the ancient Archaic and Fremont peoples to the historic Utes. The dark sandstone panel in Indian Creek, now part of Bears Ears National Monument, silently tells stories through its numerous intricate petroglyphs.
2. Chesler Park Loop Trail
STUNNING NEEDLES FORMATIONS
Chesler Park Loop Trail offers hikers an opportunity to explore the impressive Needles formations in Canyonlands National Park. Visitors describe the trail as stunning, providing up-close views of the park's iconic geological features. The area represents some of the most spectacular scenery in the Needles District.
3. Bears Ears National Monument
SACRED CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
Bears Ears National Monument encompasses canyons, mesas, and the distinctive twin buttes that give the monument its name. The area is culturally significant to numerous Native American tribes and contains thousands of archaeological sites. Visitors can experience breathtaking scenery while exploring this protected landscape with its rich historical and cultural heritage.
4. Church Rock
DISTINCTIVE ROADSIDE FORMATION
Church Rock is a prominent geological formation visible from the highway near Monticello. The distinctive rock formation provides a convenient photo opportunity with a good pull-off area between Monticello and other destinations. Its church-like appearance makes it a recognizable landmark in the area.
5. Loyd's Lake
LOCAL RECREATION SPOT
Loyd's Lake offers visitors a peaceful 2.5-mile walking trail circling the water. The recreation area includes amenities such as restrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits for day visitors. Swimming is permitted in the lake, making it a popular spot for local outdoor recreation.
6. Frontier Museum
PIONEER HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Frontier Museum, located next to the Southeast Utah Welcome Center, preserves Monticello's pioneer history dating back to 1887. Housed in an old barn, this free museum details how early settlers developed irrigation systems for agriculture and established cattle ranching on the Great Sage Plain. Visitors can learn about the town's agricultural roots and the challenges faced by the original farmers and ranchers who settled the area.
7. Harts Draw Road
SCENIC MOUNTAIN DRIVE
Harts Draw Road is considered Monticello's best scenic drive, winding 43 miles across the northern flank of the Abajo Mountains. After 10 miles, travelers reach the Harts Draw-Canyonlands Overlook with expansive views of Shay Mountain, the La Sal Mountains, and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Fall visitors are treated to spectacular displays of golden aspen groves that illuminate the hillsides.
8. Monticello Utah Temple
SACRED RELIGIOUS SITE
The Monticello Utah Temple is a significant religious landmark serving the Latter-day Saint community in southeastern Utah. The temple's distinctive architecture and grounds offer a peaceful setting for visitors to appreciate. While the interior is reserved for church members with specific qualifications, the exterior and surrounding gardens are open for public viewing and photography.
9. Big Four Tractor
HISTORIC AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT
The Big Four Tractor stands as a monument to Monticello's agricultural heritage and technological progress. This historic piece of farm equipment represents the mechanization that transformed farming practices in the region. Visitors interested in agricultural history can view this impressive machine that symbolizes the area's farming traditions.
10. Canyonlands National Park
VAST DESERT WILDERNESS
Canyonlands National Park preserves a colorful landscape of canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. The park is divided into four districts: Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze, and the rivers themselves, each offering distinct experiences and vistas. Visitors can enjoy hiking, four-wheel driving, mountain biking, and stargazing within this vast wilderness area near Monticello.
11. Natural Bridges National Monument
ANCIENT STONE ARCHES
Natural Bridges National Monument features three majestic natural bridges formed by the erosive power of water flowing through the canyon. Named Kachina, Owachomo, and Sipapu in honor of the ancestral Puebloans who once lived here, these bridges are among the largest natural bridges in the world. The monument also offers exceptional dark skies for stargazing and contains Ancestral Puebloan ruins and rock art.
12. Canyon Rims Recreation Area
DRAMATIC OVERLOOKS
Canyon Rims Recreation Area provides spectacular views of the surrounding canyon country from its elevated position. Visitors can access several dramatic overlooks including Needles, Anticline, and Hatch Point, which offer panoramic vistas of Canyonlands National Park and the Colorado River corridor. The recreation area also features camping opportunities and off-road vehicle trails for outdoor enthusiasts.
13. Hole 'N the Rock
UNIQUE CAVE HOME
Hole 'N the Rock is a 5,000-square-foot home carved into a massive rock formation on Highway 191. Created by Albert and Gladys Christensen over a period of 12 years, this unique dwelling features 14 rooms arranged around a central chimney. Visitors can tour the fascinating interior, explore the surrounding property with its collection of memorabilia, and visit the petting zoo.
14. Indian Creek Recreation Area
WORLD-CLASS ROCK CLIMBING
Indian Creek Recreation Area, now part of Bears Ears National Monument, is renowned worldwide for its exceptional crack climbing routes on sandstone cliffs. The area features iconic climbing walls such as Supercrack Buttress, Battle of the Bulge, and Reservoir Wall that attract climbers from around the globe. Beyond climbing, visitors can enjoy hiking, photography, and camping in this scenic desert landscape.
15. Blue Mountain Diner
LOCAL COMFORT FOOD
Blue Mountain Diner serves hearty American comfort food in a casual, welcoming atmosphere in downtown Monticello. The family-owned restaurant is known for generous portions, friendly service, and homemade pies that draw both locals and travelers passing through. After a day of exploring nearby national parks and monuments, visitors appreciate the diner's authentic small-town charm and satisfying meals.