San Juan County

San Juan County in Utah is a beautiful place to explore, offering breathtaking landscapes and an abundance of outdoor activities. Located in the state's southeast corner, San Juan County encompasses much of what makes Utah unique – from its red rock canyons and sweeping desert views to its rich cultural heritage. With such a diverse landscape, it's no surprise that this area has become a popular tourist destination.

The county is home to Monument Valley, which includes some of the most iconic images of the American Southwest. Monument Valley offers visitors spectacular views of desert buttes, red sandstone formations, and sweeping valleys located on the border between Arizona and Utah. But there's more than just stunning scenery here – Horseshoe Bend in nearby Page, Arizona is one of the most photographed locations in the entire state.

]San Juan County, located in the Colorado Plateau, is renowned for its stunning beauty and unique geological features. This region, made up of sandstone and limestone, encompasses a significant portion of Utah and parts of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The magnificent Colorado and San Juan rivers have created breathtaking canyons and extraordinary erosion patterns in the colorful sedimentary rock.

In ancient times, the Anasazi people inhabited the San Juan area. Their cliff dwellings, pictographs, and petroglyphs have captivated visitors since their mysterious disappearance around A.D. 1300. The Basketmakers, an early phase of the Anasazi Culture, were first discovered and studied in Grand Gulch. Today, the Navajo Indians occupy a significant portion of San Juan County, stretching from the San Juan River to the Arizona border.

The settlement of San Juan County began in earnest in 1879 when Mormon scouts planned the renowned Hole-in-the-Rock Trail. This trail paved the way for the arrival of 230 pioneers from Escalante in April 1880, marking the start of full-scale settlement in the area.

Farming along the fluctuating San Juan River proved challenging, as the river frequently experienced floods or periods of drought, making reliable irrigation difficult. Cattlemen like the Scorup brothers found greater success in the rugged canyon country. However, after ten years of battling the elements, many settlers discovered that life was more manageable in the higher elevations near the Abajo Mountains. As a result, the towns of Blanding and Monticello became the primary focal points of San Juan County, replacing Bluff.

San Juan County encompasses more than 6,000 square miles and is roughly the size of Connecticut. The county's vast landscape features a variety of climates and terrains, ranging from desert to alpine regions. The Ancestral Puebloan ruins in Comb Wash draw visitors to the area, while the stark beauty of Monument Valley attracts photographers from around the world. In addition to these attractions, the county also boasts some of the most remote and rugged off-road trails in Utah.

Canyonlands National Park is the premier destination in San Juan County. Consisting of a maze of canyons, mesas, and buttes, this fascinating park offers visitors awe-inspiring scenery and an incredible variety of recreational activities. Hiking, rafting, and mountain biking are some of the most popular activities here.

Goosenecks State Park offers stunning vistas of the San Juan River from several thousand feet above. Here, visitors can observe the river's meandering path for miles in either direction and appreciate its incredible depth carved into the red-rock landscape. The park is also a great spot to enjoy a picnic or simply take in the breathtaking views.