SAN JUAN HAPPENINGS - October 2025

In the heart of Utah’s Canyon Country lies San Juan County—a land so vast and varied that it could easily be mistaken for an entire state. At nearly 8,000 square miles, this sprawling county is roughly the size of Massachusetts, yet its remote wilderness areas and hidden canyons offer the kind of solitude that’s becoming increasingly rare in our modern world.

From the iconic red buttes of Monument Valley to the pristine dark skies above Natural Bridges, San Juan County serves as a living museum where every mesa, canyon, and petroglyph panel tells a story spanning millennia. This is where the ancient and the adventurous converge, creating experiences that resonate long after you’ve returned home.

The county’s crown jewel may be Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, recently named the #3 place to visit in the New York Times’ prestigious travel list. Here, towering sandstone formations rise like cathedrals from the desert floor, their shadows shifting throughout the day to create an ever-changing landscape that has captivated filmmakers, photographers, and travelers for generations. Guided tours led by Navajo storytellers offer deeper insights into the spiritual significance of these formations, connecting visitors to traditions that stretch back centuries.

Beyond Monument Valley, San Juan County reveals layer upon layer of natural and cultural treasures. The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park offers world-class hiking and four-wheel drive adventures through a maze of colorful spires and hidden arches. Natural Bridges National Monument, the world’s first International Dark Sky Park, provides unparalleled stargazing beneath some of the darkest skies in the continental United States.

For those seeking to walk in the footsteps of ancient peoples, the county’s numerous archaeological sites offer profound connections to the past. From the accessible petroglyphs along the San Juan River to remote cliff dwellings tucked into canyon walls, these sites preserve the stories of Ancestral Pueblo and Fremont cultures that called this rugged landscape home for thousands of years.

The county’s communities—from Bluff’s historic charm to Mexican Hat’s river access—serve as gateways to adventure while honoring the rich cultural heritage that makes this region unique. Whether you’re rafting the San Juan River, exploring backcountry trails, or simply watching the sun set over the desert, San Juan County invites you to slow down and discover what it truly means to be part of something larger than yourself.

In San Juan County, every journey becomes a pilgrimage, every visit a revelation.