Other Notable Mentions
U211 Indian Creek Scenic Byway
The road Glamping Canyonlands is on
This route crosses a high sage plain before plunging through a series of tight turns to Newspaper Rock Recreation Site. The road continues 23 miles to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. (35 miles long – approximately 1 1/2 hours driving time.) Check out The National Park page to learn some of the must do hikes!
Newspaper Rock Utah State Historic Site
Approx 13 minutes
Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument is a Utah State Monument featuring a rock panel carved with one of the largest known collections of petroglyphs in the area.
Natural Bridges National Monument
Approx 1 1/2 hours southwest
This monument is best known for its three natural bridges, Kachina, Owachomo, and the largest, Sipapu, which is also the second largest natural bridge in the world. A great way to explore the monument is by driving the nine-mile scenic loop which leads to overlooks for all three bridges. A short walking trail at each scenic stop leads to the viewing points. To get the most from any visit to Natural Bridges National Monument, moderate trails (all under 1.5 miles roundtrip) lead to the base of each bridge. Home to some of the darkest skies in the country, in 2007 Natural Bridges became the world’s first ‘International Dark Sky Park’ certified by the International Dark Sky Association.
Hovenweep National Monument
Approx 1 1/2 hours south
Designated in 1923 to protect a desolate cluster of six ancient villages found spanning a twenty-mile area across the southeastern Utah/Colorado border. The towers of Hovenweep were built by Ancestral Puebloans who inhabited the Four Corners region of Utah between 500 and 1300 A.D.
Bears Ears National Monument
There are 2 parts and ways to get to the National Monument. Southern part is part of the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway.
Southern part (Cedar Mesa/Grand Gulch Area): To get to the southern areas of Bears Ears National Monument from Blanding, Utah: drive south to Highway 95, then head west for approximately 10 miles on Hwy 95. This will get you to the east border of Bears Ears National Monument.
Northern part (Hwy 211/Indian Creek Corridor): Take HWY 211 and then it’s 12 miles to Newspaper which is the eastern border. Continue traveling through the Indian Creek Corridor until you reach the border of Canyonlands National Park
Moki Dugway - Utah Highway 261
Approx 1 1/2 hours south
“Moki” is a local term for the ancient Puebloan people who inhabited the Colorado Plateau hundreds of years ago. “Dugway” is a term used to describe a roadway carved from a hillside. The Moki Dugway Scenic Backway is a stretch of Highway 261 in Utah where the blacktop turns into a dirt road that drastically switches back and forth down the side of a cliff at an 11% grade.
This unique stretch of road, which has literally been carved from the face of the cliff, connects Utah Highway 95 with US Highway 163. Along the dugway route is a place to pull out and get a fantastic view of Valley of the Gods. The Moki Dugway also offers great views of the San Juan River Canyon, where the stripes of different colored rocks create what is known as the “Navajo Tapestry”. If you look off to the horizon, you can even see Monument Valley. The Moki Dugway was constructed in 1958 as a route for transporting mined materials from Fry Canyon to a processing mill in Mexican Hat, Utah.
The La Sal Mountains
Approx 20 mins to turn off
This mountain range is the impressive one dominating the horizon to the north. Part of the Rocky Mountains and Manti-La Sal National Forest, they are Utah’s second highest mountain range. More than a dozen mountains in the range have peaks above 12,000 feet, with Mount Peale the highest at 12,721 feet. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing and 4×4 trials are abundant.
Valley of the Gods
Approx 1 1/2 hours to 2 1/2 hours depending on route taken
Nicknamed “mini Monument Valley”. You will avoid the crowds that Monument Valley brings in.
Fun fact, the TV show, Dr. Who filmed 2 episodes here.
Monument Valley
Approx 2 1/2 hours southwest
From Glamping Canyonlands, you could tour Natural Bridges National Monument, drive the Moki Dugway road, and head into Monument Valley, making for a great day of hiking and sightseeing!
Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)
1 1/2 hours southeast
It’s known for its well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings, notably the huge Cliff Palace. Highly recommended if you have time to make the trip.
