Utah’s small towns are charming places that are full of history, but they’re often overlooked in favor of our larger cities. Don’t be too quick to dismiss the town of Monticello – it’s right in the heart of some of the Beehive State’s most beautiful scenery, and it’s surrounded by natural playgrounds. Whether you like to hike, camp, fish, or soak in the sights, Monticello is the perfect home base.
The little town of Monticello is located along Highway 191 near the Colorado border, just north of the Four Corners area.
Founded in 1887, the town is the county seat of San Juan County, and is home to around 2,000 residents.
Ken Lund/flickr
Monticello is a remote little town to be sure, but it’s surrounded by plenty of scenic beauty and many recreation spots.
Ken Lund/flickr
Stop in at the Welcome Center to learn about the history of the town, and get information about the various recreation spots in the area.
Management/Tripadvisor
You don’t need to travel far from town to find fun! The Hideout Golf Course is one of the best in Utah, and it’s right in town.
Shawn Baugh/Google The 18-hole course has a course rating of 70.5.
The Abajo Mountains (a.k.a. Blue Mountains) stand tall on the landscape just west of town. With peaks as high as 11,360 feet, this mountain playground is perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and picnicking.
Whit Richardson/Getty Images
Drop your fishing line into one of several lakes in the area to pull out huge rainbow trout. Monticello Lake is just eight miles west of town, and you’ll find Foy Lake in the Abajo Mountains, about 14 miles from town. Both are stocked by the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources.
Mike Schirf/Getty Images
Drive north along US-191, and you’ll soon come across Church Rock. The 200-foot-tall sandstone rock is a fascinating landmark, and you’ll see it right before the turnoff to another well-known landmark - Newspaper Rock.
Mark C Stevens/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Step back in time 2,000 years when you visit Newspaper Rock, just 28 miles from town. The petroglyphs here are some of the most numerous, and best-preserved in the Southwest.
Wayne Hsieh/flickr
Canyonlands National Park is 46 miles northwest of Monticello, and you could spend weeks exploring its 337,598 acres.
YeloImages/iStock via Getty Images
The Needles Overlook is remote, but well worth the journey. From this stunning viewpoint you can see just how vast this land is.
Liralen Li/flickr
There’s much to see and do around the town of Monticello, and you’ll definitely want to plan an overnight trip to see it all. Camp at the Dalton Springs of Buckboard Campgrounds so you can wake up the next morning for another adventure!
JEFFERY SWARNER/Google
What’s your favorite thing to see or do near Monticello? Tell our readers in the comments!
Ken Lund/flickr
Management/Tripadvisor
Shawn Baugh/Google
The 18-hole course has a course rating of 70.5.
Whit Richardson/Getty Images
Mike Schirf/Getty Images
Mark C Stevens/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Wayne Hsieh/flickr
YeloImages/iStock via Getty Images
Liralen Li/flickr
JEFFERY SWARNER/Google
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Monticello, UT 84535, USA
