In Town Activities Guide

You don’t have to go far for fun in Utah’s Canyon Country. Each town has an abundance of activities to keep your adventure active and exciting. Venture through the history and culture of each area and explore the rural areas of Southeastern Utah.

All activities at a glance

Monticello

Frontier Museum

Indoor, 20-30 minutes. 216 S Main St, Monticello, UT 84535, 435-587-2271

The Frontier Museum, located inside the Monticello Welcome Center, is housed in a century-old barn. Moved from its original location, visitors can still view the original post-and-beam construction. Take a passage through time and glimpse the lifestyle with displays of vintage household items as well as relics from native people, cowboys, outlaws, farmers and shopkeepers. While at the visitor center, don’t forget to view the Emerson & Brantingham Big 4 Tractor. As one of the last few in existence, it’s over 100 years old and still running! The tractor makes its yearly appearance in the Monticello Pioneer Day parade.

Hideout Golf Course

Outdoor, time varies. 648 South Hideout Way, Monticello, UT 84535, 435-226-1292, hideoutgolf.com

It’s always tee time at the Hideout Golf Course. As one of Utah’s premier public golf experiences, the course showcases a wide variety of scenery year-round. Golf gurus of all ages can enjoy the excitement of the sport whether it’s at the 3-hole junior course or the full 18 holes as well as the driving range and practice greens.

Silver Queen Mine Miniature Golf

Indoor, 30 minutes-1 hour. 80 S Main St, Monticello, UT 84535, 435-587-2256

Probably the last thing you’d expect to find when you enter the Monticello Mercantile True Value Hardware store on Main Street in Monticello is a black light miniature golf course. But that’s exactly what you’ll see upon entering the store. And not just any miniature golf course: the theme of the Silver Queen Mine Miniature Golf Course is a nod to the area’s mining history, complete with mining carts, tracks, tunnels, sound effects, and painstakingly painted murals of mining scenes throughout the entire course.

Canyon Country Discovery Center

Indoor and outdoor, 1-3 hours. 1117 N Main St, Monticello, UT 84535, 435-587-2156, ccdiscovery.org

Explore and interact with the hands-on learning stations at the Canyon Country Discovery Center in Monticello. The family-friendly facility allows audiences of all ages to discover the natural history of landscapes, cultures, astronomy, water and land use and energy in the area. The center houses an indoor rock-climbing wall, nature playscape and network of walking trails for an immersive learning experience of the campus grounds.

Abajo Foothills Walking and Mountain Biking Trails

Monticello, UT. More: Abajo Mountains, Mountain Biking

Take to the trails with various beginner and intermediate walking and mountain bike opportunities near Monticello. The Abajo Foothills trail system includes multiple paths. Enjoy the scenic passage around Lloyd’s Lake or ride Millsite Circle, which crosses Montezuma Creek. No matter which path you choose, you’ll have vistas to view and memories to make. Bring your furry friend and enjoy!

Blanding

Edge of the Cedars State Park

Indoor and outdoor, 1-2 hours. 660 W 400 North, Blanding, UT 84511, 435-678-2238, stateparks.utah.gov/parks/edge-of-the-cedars

Wander through the exhibits in the museum illustrating the culture and lifestyle of the Ancestral Pueblo people with exhibits, artifacts and one of the largest collections of pottery in the Four Corners region. Outside the museum, there is a restored ceremonial kiva to illustrate the unique dwelling structures of the Puebloan people. In addition there is also a short, paved trail to adventure through native plants and outdoor sculptures with a picnic area and restrooms.

Canyon Country Bowling Center

Indoor, 1-2 hours. 12 West Center, Blanding, UT 84511, 435-678-3900

Have you ever bowled in a gas station? Don’t miss your chance next time you’re in Blanding! Canyon Country Bowling Center is located in the middle of town inside the Canyon Country Fuel Center. With 8 lanes, 6 fuel pumps, an A&W restaurant, and a wide selection of snacks and drinks, it will be well worth the stop.

Nations of the Four Corners Cultural Center

Outdoor, time varies. 461 W 500 South, Blanding, UT 84511, 435-678-4000

Learn, explore and interact with various home sites at the Nations of the Four Corners Cultural Center. The organization has six home sites connected by over 5 miles (8.05 km) of well-maintained trails. Learn about the legacies of the Ancestral Puebloan people, the Ute, Paiute and Navajo people as well as the Spanish and Pioneers. Climb the observation tower and pack a picnic lunch for this adventure.

The Dinosaur Museum

Indoor, 1-1.5 hours. 754 S 200 West, Blanding, UT 84511, 435-587-3454, www.dinosaur-museum.org

Take a colossal step back in time at the Dinosaur Museum. Open mid-April through mid-October, visitors can view skeletons, fossilized skin, eggs, footprints and sculptures of dinosaurs. The founders of the museum got their start sculpting dinosaurs for the motion picture industry and their work has captured the attention and imagination of many dinosaur enthusiasts. Movie posters are scattered throughout the museum and you can’t miss the 14-foot-tall (4.27 m) Therizinosaurus, a feathered dinosaur with a 20-foot (6.1 m) wingspan!

Bluff

Bluff Fort

Indoor and outdoor, 1-1.5 hours. 550 East Black Locust, Bluff, UT 84512, 435-672-9995, hirf.org

Commemorating the historic pioneer heritage, Bluff Fort Historic Site showcases replica log cabins originally built in the late 1800s by families who were part of the San Juan Mission Expedition (Hole-in-the-Rock Expedition). Enjoy walking through this iconic small town that offers a replica mercantile for visitors to shop, learn and explore or use as an event space. Spend some time dressing up in pioneer clothing, gold panning, roping wooden cows and horses and more. Don’t forget to taste the homemade baked goods and soft-serve ice cream before you leave!

Bears Ears Education Center

Indoor, 30 minutes. 567 W Main St, Bluff, UT 84512, 435-672-2402, bearsearsmonument.org

Learn about the cultural and natural spaces in Bears Ears National Monument. Start at the Education Center for a few exhibits and historic information, then hit the trails with the preparation you need for hiking, biking, climbing and rafting or other recreational activities. The Center also has a retail store with memorabilia, books and basic equipment.

Bluff Historic District

Outdoor, 1-2 hours. Various locations throughout Bluff, 435-672-9995, bluffutah.org/town-history/#history-tour

Take a self-guided tour through the Bluff Historic District. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Bluff Historic District is made up of 20 stops including historic homes, the Bluff Fort, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Mission, and the town cemetery among others.

Monument Valley

Goulding’s Trading Post Museum

Indoor, 30 minutes-1 hour. 1000 Goulding’s Trading Post Rd, Oljato-Monument Valley, UT 84536, gouldings.com/attractions-in-monument-valley/gouldings-museum

Visit the original trading post from the 1920s, now a museum showcasing artifacts as well as a glimpse into a bygone era. Visitors can see the preserved trading post ‘bullpen,’ historical photographs, Native American pottery, jewelry and crafts and the movie room with memorabilia from many of the films shot in Monument Valley including many of the John Wayne/John Ford westerns, “Back to the Future III” and many others. Continue upstairs to see the Goulding’s living quarters as well as more historical photographs.

#RecreateResponsibly in Utah’s Canyon Country

Utah’s Canyon Country is home to many wonderful destinations and experiences. From wide-open spaces to historic neighborhoods, please remember to #RecreateResponsibly. When you visit, follow Leave No Trace and Visit With Respect principles so everyone can have the opportunity for years to come to visit these amazing sights.

• Plan ahead and prepare for your adventures
• Stay on designated trails
• Leave artifacts where you spot them
• Do not enter any archaeological structures
• Do not eat near sites and pack out what you pack in
• Properly dispose of human and pet waste
• Leave historic sites and rock art untouched
• Respect and be aware of wildlife
• Keep dogs on leashes at all times

Questions about planning your trip? Call 800-574-4386.