8 Reasons to turn your phone On Airplane Mode

There’s no getting around the fact that cellular service can be limited in Utah’s Canyon Country, but that’s no matter when there are plenty of trails to be hiked, kayaks to be paddled, geographical features at which to marvel, and local experts with whom to chat. You’ll find it easier to step back in time and imagine the area’s rich geological and Indigenous histories if you are unhindered by a mobile device.

Here are eight reasons to experience San Juan County with your undivided attention, curiosity, and an open mind. It will soon become clear that the small businesses, vast parks, and thoroughly curated museums will have you itching to come back for more!

This story was created in partnership with Utah’s Canyon Country.

Hummers in the backcountry for the Wild Expeditions tour

1. The flora is prolific and diverse.

Utah’s Canyon Country is home to more than just prickly pear cactuses (though there are certainly plenty to be found). Take a close look at the land around you, and you will observe pinyon pines, juniper trees, yucca, fishhook cactuses, sagebrush, Gambel oaks, and more. Sure, you could use your phone to identify these species, but it would be more fun to reference an old-fashioned guidebook. Plus, guides and locals are frequently able to help name and describe the plants you are looking for. Head up toward the more verdant La Sal Mountains for flora that you won’t find anywhere else in San Juan County.

Claret Cup cactus

2. …and so is the fauna.

If you stay at La Posada Pintada in Bluff, there’s a very good chance that you will be treated to a hummingbird show at breakfast. This will set the mood for the rest of the day, when you might see Great Blue Herons flying over the San Juan River or mule deer foraging for leaves, twigs, and grasses. Lizards are ubiquitous, and it can be a fun exercise to try to identify the species you stumble across.

Cows resting by the San Juan River and two lizards in Canyonlands National Park

3. Look back in time.

The Dinosaur Museum in Blanding is a must-visit if you have kids, but also a fun stop if you want to feed the childlike sense of wonder that lies within each one of us. Skeletons, fossils, and eggs are all on deck! Next up, many guided tours (like those with Wild Expeditions), museums (like Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum), and sightseeing destinations (like Hovenweep National Monument) will help acquaint you with the area’s Indigenous history. Finally, staying in the Atomic Blue Motor Inn in Monticello will make you feel like you are reliving a highlight reel of the 1950s.

Rock art panel as seen on the Wild Expeditions tour

4. …and lose yourself in the present moment.

If quiet solitude is what you are looking for, you can’t go wrong in Utah’s Canyon Country. With the wind whistling through the canyonlands below, vistas like those provided at Goosenecks State Park, Needles Overlook, and Moki Dugway will invite you to forget your worries for a while and engage all five senses. Or perhaps you would rather find meditation in movement by hiking in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park or at Natural Bridges National Monument. Looking for a reason to go backpacking? Try the various trails in Bears Ears National Monument or the 14-mile trail to Rainbow Bridge National Monument (this site can also be accessed by boat and a short hike from Lake Powell).

View of Goosenecks State Park with informational sign

5. Dine on mouthwatering food.

Whether you want ethnic food, fine dining, or grub that you can get packed for a picnic, one thing’s for sure: There is no shortage of delectable food in towns like Bluff, Blanding, and Monticello.

For a date night or anniversary, sitting down for a meal at Duke’s promises to be a memorable and intimate experience. To chow down on one-of-a-kind barbecue, snag a table at Canyon Smokehouse (vegetarian options are also available). If you’ve got a hankering for drunken noodles or sashimi, Ja-Roen Thai & Sushi will fit the bill.

Or, to please the whole family, make your way to Comb Ridge Eat & Drink for scratch-made pizzas, gourmet burgers, and the aptly named “Our Famous Chocolate Chip Cookie.” Finally, hot days call for ice cream from Blanding’s Creamy Delights, where it will be hard to resist the fudge as well.

Salad at Comb Ridge Eat and Drink

6. …and sip on delightful cups of coffee.

Your days in Utah’s Canyon Country will be packed with mental and physical exertion, so you might find yourself yearning for an extra cup of joe to grease your gears. Look no further than Cow Canyon Coffee in Bluff, where you can peruse handmade goods while waiting for your order before sitting down to a magnificent view.

Or, if you are in Blanding, stop by Destination Awake Coffee & Bakery for a hot beverage and pastry; just make sure to arrive early, as the pastries are always in high demand!

Dirty chai at Cow Canyon Coffee with canyons in the background

7. The conversations you’ll share with locals will be terrific.

Hiring a guide to show you around the canyonlands is a smart move for many reasons. It’s safer, it supports the local economy, and you’ll be introduced to viewpoints you may never have found alone. Among the greatest takeaways, though, are the conversations you will share with folks who have called San Juan County home for years.

For example, if you can book an expedition with Josh or Lloyd Nielson of Sunrise Outfitting – Scenic Adventures, you can count on a personal and intimate tour on a side-by-side, navigating roads that are otherwise difficult to access.

Side-by-side on the Sunrise Outfitting – Scenic Adventures tour

8. …and so will those with friends and family.

If you are planning a reunion or vacation with family members, check out Wolf Springs Ranch for accommodations. Benefitting from the cooler climate of the La Sal Mountains, the cabins at this ranch offer an intimate setting for connecting with loved ones while soaking in the views and breathing in fresh air.

Miles away from any major highway, exploring the landscape surrounding the ranch with Mountain Joe’s Trail Rides while on top of a horse is likewise a true pleasure.