San Juan County

Bluff

San Juan County   |  Sonja Doctorian
  • Weather: Mostly Clear, 66F

Tucked between sandstone cliffs and the San Juan River. Rich in human and natural history, Bluff is a central point along the Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway, serving as a gateway to quintessential Southeastern Utah destinations such as Monument Valley, Bears Ears National Monument, Valley of the Gods and Hovenweep National Monument.

Ancestral Puebloans were the first to settle the area, leaving behind an impressive array of rock art, abandoned dwellings, and other artifacts as clues to their lives in this harsh desert landscape. Nomadic Paiute, Ute, and Navajo tribes also traveled through the Bluff region, leaving their own archeological marks as well as modern-day influences on the local culture. Mormon pioneers hoping to establish a farming community along the San Juan River founded historic Bluff City during the famous “Hole in the Rock” expedition of 1880.

Boutique lodges, inns, and guesthouses offer unique accommodation options for visitors, along with several campgrounds and RV parks. Dining in Bluff is marked by distinctly local, unfussy bistros and cafes serving up comfort food in cozy settings.   

Getting There

Bluff is two hours south of Moab on Highway 191, and about 330 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Situated near the Four Corners, Bluff is a 2-hour drive from Durango, Colorado and Farmington, New Mexico.

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