Cedar Mesa: Road Trip Stops Canyonlands National Park to Monument Valley Travel Guide
Cedar Mesa refers to a large area in southeast Utah between Canyonlands National Park and Monument Valley. The entire area is full of everything Utah’s Big 5 National Parks are known for and is a perfect addition to any Utah road trip. Scroll down to learn the best detours and road trip stops from Canyonlands National Park to Monument Valley, off Utah’s Hwy 191.
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Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument
Newspaper Rock is 15 miles west of U.S. 191 along the Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway. The Navajo called the area Tse’ Hane, The Rock that Tells a Story. This 200-square-foot rock is one of the largest collections of petroglyphs in the country. You will view 650+ rock art designs including animals, human figures, and symbols. The first carvings in Newspaper Rock were made around 2,000 years ago. There is no charge to view Newspaper Rock and no services available at the monument.
Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum
Check out the exhibits including the collection of Ancestral Puebloan pottery before exploring an authentic Puebloan village and restored kiva. Check the website for festivals and events.
Bears Ears National Monument
Bears Ears National Monument in Cedar Mesa was named for its pair of buttes resembling bear ears. 1.3 million acres were designated in 2016 to honor and preserve five Native American tribes: the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Ute Mountain Ute, and the Uintah-Ouray Ute Tribe. In 2018 the area was reduced to 201,876 acres and the monument was divided into two units: the Shash Jáa Unit and Indian Creek Unit. Bears Ears is full of box canyons and cliff dwellings. Over 1000,000 cultural sites covering 14,000 years are located in the monument.
Popular activities include hiking, cycling, mountain biking, canyoneering, rock climbing, and camping. Be sure to take the scenic drive to the Bears Ears Buttes and explore ancient dwellings while in the area. The hike to House on Fire in Mule Canyon is 1 mile over slick rock and requires some rock scrambling. Note, you must visit between 10-11 am to see the sun’s flame effect on the rocks. By noon, light hits the wall directly and cancels out the effect. A $2 fee is required, have exact change. Cave Tower is also nearby. Take the 1 mile RT walk to the overlook of Butler Wash Ruins, a high-clearance vehicle is suggested. The River House Site and Salvation Knoll Historic Site are also popular stops in Bears Ears National Monument. Most of the area is remote and requires extensive planning, a day-use permit, and a high-clearance vehicle. Highways and dirt roads that are passable in a passenger car include Hwy 261, the Moki Dugway, Hwy 95, and Hwy 276.
Natural Bridges National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument is an off-the-beaten-path adventure lover’s dream. The monument’s 8.7-mile loop trail under the monument’s 3 iconic bridges involves steel stairs, ladders, walks along a narrow ledge, slick rock, creek crossings, and boulder scrambling. If you are not up to that hike, the scenic drive provides views of each bridge and the trail to Owachomo Bridge is short and easy. You will also find white canyons, cliff dwellings, and petroglyphs. The entrance fee is $20 per day or use your America the Beautiful pass. 13 campsites are available first come first served for $10 per night.
Muley Point
The Muley Point overlook is on the southern edge of Cedar Mesa. To reach the overlook take the first road to the left at the top of Moki Dugway. Muley Point offers 180-degree views of Canyon Country’s steep cliffs rising above the San Juan River into the desert valley. The 5-mile gravel road to the point is passable with a passenger car in good weather. This is a great spot to watch the sunrise or sunset. There are no fees or permits required to visit or primitive camp at Muley Point.
Moki Dugway Scenic Backway
The Moki Dugway connects Utah Highway 95 with US Highway 163. The 3-mile road is graded dirt with switchbacks carved from the cliff face of Cedar Mesa with an 11% grade. This scenic backway winds 1,200 feet from the valley floor providing views of Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley. The road is passable in passenger cars with caution, drive slowly as there are no guardrails. The road is open year-round but not passable during or after a storm.
Valley of the Gods
Valley of the Gods is located 15 miles west of Butte Utah. The valley has been called a mini Monument Valley without the crowds. Explore the sandstone valley of Buttes, monoliths, and pinnacles on a 17-mile dirt road. There are no hiking trails in Valley of the Gods, visitors are free to explore the area on foot. Be on the lookout for rattlesnakes. The road through the valley is not well maintained. High clearance vehicles are suggested but the road can be traveled by passenger car. Drive slow, there are no services and likely no one near to help should you run into trouble. There are no fees or permits required to visit or to primitive camp at Valley of the Gods.
Mexican Hat
The Mexican Hat rock formation is located off Highway 163 near Valley of the Gods and Goosenecks State Park. The formation resembles a Mexican Hat with 60 feet in diameter large flat rock perched atop a 300-foot-high talus cone. The rock formation can be seen from the road or jump out and stretch your legs on the 0.7 mile RT trail around the formation. Mexican Hat is a popular rock-climbing spot. There is a primitive campground available at Mexican Hat.
Goosenecks State Park
The Goosenecks Overlook has one scenic vista 1,100 feet above the San Juan River’s six-mile entrenched river meander resembling a symmetrical pattern of 3 goosenecks. The river flows 12 miles through the meander. This is a great spot for a picnic or stargazing. There are no maintained trails or access to the San Juan River at Goosenecks State Park. $5 per car day use fees are collected. 8 designated campsites along the rim are available first come first served for $10. The park is open 24 hours a day year-round.
Monument Valley Navajo Park is located at the border of Utah and Arizona. It is a sacred piece of Navajo Culture and of the most iconic landscapes in the United States. Be sure to stop at Forrest Gump Hill for a photo of Monument Valley before driving the scenic desert valley is full of sandstone buttes, colossal mesas, and panoramic vistas.
Read Monument Valley Navajo Park Travel Guide
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