BLANDING - Trail of the Ancients
Monument Valley, the Navajo Nation and quaint pioneer towns reside in the region, also
home to Four Corners Monument, the only place where four states come together.
Edge of the Cedars State Park/Museum - Ancestral Puebloan ruins, discovery room with Navajo weaving and corn grinding demonstrations. Displayed at the museum is the largest collection of ancestral Puebloan pottery in the Four Corners area.
Open year round, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
May 16 - September 15, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Address: 660 West 400 North, Blanding, UT 84511-0788
Phone: (435) 678-2238
Natural Bridges National Monument - Three of the ten largest natural bridges in the world are visible on a nine mile scenic loop drive with short walks to view points of two of the bridges and a short hike to the third.
Open year round. Visitors Center is open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Winter hours 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Phone: (435) 692-1234
Mule Canyon Ruin - Ancient Puebloan residence block and kiva reconstructed by Hopi builders. Interpretive signing. Handicapped accessible with pit toilets. At mile marker 101, on state Route 95.
Open year round.
Phone: (800) 574-4386 or (435) 587-3235 (San Juan County Visitor Services)
Goosenecks State Park - Overlooks the Great Goosenecks of the San Juan River 1,000 feet below, one of the largest entrenched river meanders in North America. Located nine miles northwest of Mexican Hat, via state Route 261 and Route 316.
Open year round.
Address: c/o Edge of Cedars, 660 West 400 North, Blanding, UT 84511-4000
Phone: (435) 678-2238
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park & Goulding's Lodge - Monument Valley has been the film site for dozens of movies, especially American Westerns. Tours available at Navajo Tribal Park headquarters and at Goulding's Lodge.
Open year round 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (October - April 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Address: PO Box 360289, Monument Valley, UT 84536
Phone: (435) 727-3287
Goulding's Lodge: PO Box 360001, Monument Valley, UT 84536
Phone: (800) 874-0902, (435) 727-3225
Historic Community of Bluff - Founded by pioneers in 1880, the community retains a turn-of-the-century charm with sandstone Victorian era homes.
Phone: (800) 574-4386, (435) 587-3235 - San Juan County Visitor Services
WEATHER INFORMATION
F |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
High/Low |
42/18 |
51/24 |
61/30 |
71/38 |
80/46 |
91/53 |
96/62 |
93/60 |
86/50 |
72/38 |
56/26 |
44/19 |
CITIES WITH ACCOMMODATIONS
Blanding, UT - Destination City - 10 properties
Bluff, UT - 26 miles from Blanding - 11 properties
Mexican Hat, UT - 46 miles from Blanding - 4 properties
Monument Valley, UT - 75 miles from Blanding - 3 properties
RESTAURANT SUGGESTIONS UNIQUE TO THE AREA
*Homestead Steakhouse - Features BBQ Ribs and Honey Pecan Chicken - in Blanding.
Open every day.
Phone: (435) 678-3456
*Old Tymer Restaurant - Local historic decor - in Blanding.
Open every day.
Phone: (435) 678-2122.
Cottonwood Steakhouse - Dine on steaks and western BBQ outside in an old west setting - on south U.S. 191 in Bluff.
Open every day 6:00 pm to closing.
Phone: (435) 672-2282
*Twin Rocks Cafe - Large Portions of food including Navajo and vegetarian specialties and homemade soup, served at the base of the Navajo Twins sandstone formation - on the Historic Loop in Bluff.
Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Phone: (435) 672-2341
*Old Bridge Bar & Grill - Serving Ethnic Navajo Specialties located on Route 163 at the historic suspension bridge across the San Juan River - in Bluff.
Open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Phone: (435) 683-2220
*Stagecoach Restaurant at Goulding's Lodge - Famous for their Navajo Tacos. Each table has a fabulous view of Monument Valley - in Monument Valley.
Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Phone: 800-874-0902, (435) 727-3231
Major national restaurant and fast food chains available throughout the area.
*Can accommodate coach tours.
ROUTING TO ADJACENT DESTINATIONS
Drive times adjusted for local speed limits - See routing map below.
Destination - Moab: From Blanding, proceed north on U.S. 191 to Moab, Utah. Distance: 76 miles - 1 hour 15 minutes drive time.
Destination - Capitol Reef National Park - Torrey: From Blanding, proceed south on U.S. 191 to state Route 95. (Bicentennial Highway) Continue north on state Route 95 to state Route 24 and west on state Route 24 to Torrey, Utah. Distance: 176 miles - 3 hours drive time. Alternate routing using state Route 276: 220 miles ? 4 hours drive time. Allow for toll ferry loading and crossing time approximately 1 hour.
Destination - Lake Powell Resort - Wahweap Marina: (Page, AZ) via Monument Valley. From Blanding, proceed south on U.S. 191 to Bluff and the junction of U.S. 163. Continue south on U.S. 163 through Monument Valley, Utah to the junction of U.S. 160. Proceed west on U.S. 160 to Arizona 98 and north to Page, Arizona. From Page, proceed north on U.S. 89 to the Wahweap Marina at Lake Powell. Distance: To Monument Valley 75 miles - 1 hour 30 minute drive time. Distance from Monument Valley to Lake Powell, Wahweap Marina 134 miles - 2 hours 30 minute drive time. Total drive time from Blanding to Lake Powell, Wahweap Marina - 4 hours..
All information is subject to change without notice. 4/2005
