River House

Bears Ears National Monument

River House
  • Weather: Mostly Clear, 60F
A pair of towering buttes stand against beautiful scenery. The twin buttes are so distinctive that in each of the native languages of the region their name is the same: Hoon'Naqvut, Shash Jáa, Kwiyagatu Nukavachi, Ansh An Lashokdiwe, or in English: Bears Ears. 

Bears Ears National Monument includes red rock, juniper forests, high plateau and an abundance of early human and Native American historical artifacts. The Navajo Nation, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Hopi Nation and other tribes are extremely tied to this land. The area is open to visitors, but please prepare for your travels by reviewing our travel advisory page. 

Bears Ears Travel Advisory Tribal Cultures

Things to See

Bears Ears Buttes

The Bears Ears formation is most commonly appreciated from afar as they are set back in rising topography of the Manti-La Sal National Forest and the road leading closest to them, Elk Ridge Road, is not suitable for most vehicles. The best place to see the iconic view of the Bears Ears is from State Route 261 traveling north towards Highway 95. 

Cliff Dwellings

Cliff dwellings are the most popular sites in the area. Built with stone and adobe mortar into the sides of mesas, mountains and caves, these structures were used as protection as well as to store grains and seeds for later use. This area is collectively part of the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway.

Know Before You Go

Getting to Bears Ears

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Visitor Information

There is no official visitor center in the area, but these resources will help you prepare. We recommend every trip to the area start with a visit to the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum in Blanding or the Bears Ears Education Center in Bluff for helpful context and resources.

Bears Ears National Monument Day Hiking passes are required year-round for day hiking in the Bears Ears National Monument, visit recreation.gov to obtain a pass. If you go, consider traveling with a guide. There are many native-owned guide companies and outfitters in the region. 

Monument Designation 

In 2021, a presidential proclamation modified the boundaries for Bears Ears National Monument to include 1.36 million acres of public lands administered jointly with the BLM and U.S. Forest Service. 

3 Days

Bears Ears Area Starter Kit

A pair of distinctive, towering buttes stand against beautiful scenery. We call them "Bears Ears." With the help of local expertise, respectfully explore ancestral cliff dwellings and massive natural bridges in a fascinating desert ecosystem.

Community, Hiking, History and Heritage, Native American, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Solitude

Highlights

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