Bears Ears National Monument

Bears Ears National Monument, located in southeastern Utah, offers a profound landscape where natural beauty intersects with deep cultural heritage. Established to honor the heritage of the Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Ute, and Uintah-Ouray tribes, the area is a sacred landscape for these communities. The monument is defined by its striking red rock formations, most notably the iconic twin buttes that rise dramatically from the high desert plateau.

Visitors often use the nearby town of Bluff as a gateway, where the Bears Ears Education Center provides essential context on the region’s history. From here, travelers can explore a vast network of trails and archaeological sites. The area is home to over 100,000 recorded archaeological sites, including ancient cliff dwellings, ancient rock art, and historic structures that reflect thousands of years of human presence. Key attractions include the Indian Creek area, known for its world-class rock climbing, and the Newspaper Rock, which features an extensive collection of ancient petroglyphs.

The landscape is diverse, ranging from rugged canyons to juniper-studded highlands. While the area is open to the public, visitors are encouraged to respect the cultural significance of the land and adhere to local guidelines. The monument offers a unique opportunity to experience the stark beauty of the high desert while gaining a deeper understanding of the enduring cultural connections between the land and its indigenous inhabitants.