Blanding, Utah - Utah's Canyon Country

Blanding, Utah

Elevation: 6,000 feet (1,830 meters)
Population: 3,600

Blanding, 'Base Camp to Adventure,' is the gateway to the Trail of the Ancients. The trail encompasses Natural Bridges and Hovenweep National Monuments, Goosenecks State Park, and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum in Blanding displays ancient Puebloan artifacts and maintains an accessible ruin.

At The Dinosaur Museum, you can look into the distant past as you move among life-size realistic dinosaur models, fossils, and skeletons. Stand by a tree trunk that is 275 million years old, or stroll through the History Hall of Hollywood Dinosaurs. The Nations of the Four Corners Cultural Center features home sites typical of the area's historic cultures: a Navajo hogan (ho'gone), Ute tepee, small Hispanic hacienda, and pioneer log cabin.

Popular day tours include the Trail of the Ancients, Edge of the Cedars State Park, Natural Bridges and Hovenweep National Monuments, Grand Gulch Primitive Area, Goosenecks State Park, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Glen Canyon Recreation Area/Lake Powell, and the John Atlantic Burr Ferry, crossing Lake Powell on a regular schedule. Full services.

Economic Information

At an elevation of 6,036 feet, Blanding is twenty-one miles south of Monticello on US 191, and is the largest and youngest community in the county. Blanding's goal is to become the service center for southeastern Utah. The community is surrounded by wheat fields and pasture, with easy access to mountain recreation.

The College of Eastern Utah-San Juan Campus, a branch of the College of Eastern Utah in Price, is located in Blanding, and grants an Associate Degree.

Utah State University operates a branch in Blanding as well. The San Juan Foundation is headquartered in Blanding and was established to assist the College of Eastern Utah-San Juan Campus, other institutions of higher learning, and the Four Corners Heritage Council.

Blanding supports a public swimming pool, a library, public parks, and a lighted sports field. Edge of the Cedars State Park is located in Blanding and houses an extensive collection of ancient Pueblo artifacts. Blanding is also home to The Dinosaur Museum, run by paleontologist Stephen Czerkas.

Blanding's estimated 2000 population was 3600. Water, sewer, garbage collection, and electric service are provided within the city limits, and Blanding provides volunteer fire protection.

Blanding Municipal Airport, located south of Blanding on US 191, maintains a 6000-foot paved runway, a beacon, medium intensity runway lights, hangars, and minor airframe and engine repair facilities.

Blanding Municipal Airport

Located south of Blanding on US 191, this airport maintains a 6000-foot paved runway, a beacon, medium intensity runway lights, hangars, and minor airframe and engine repair facilities. It is staffed 24 hours a day by a fixed-base operator. Lo Lead and Jet A fuels are available.