Overview

Monticello is a town steeped in history. From its beginnings as an outlaw haven to the boom and bust of the mining days and now, as a base-camp for outdoor recreation and exploration. Conveniently located along US-191, Monticello lies at the base of the Abajo Mountains. It is also the gateway community for the southeastern entrance to Canyonlands National Park.

Enjoy the conveniences and amenities of Monticello, while you explore the beautiful surroundings. At the end of the day, you will be happy to return to this charming western town.

Location

Nestled at the base of the Abajo Mountains, part of the Manti La Sal Mountain Range, in southeastern Utah is where you will find the small town of Monticello, UT. Moab is just an hour north on US-191. Sitting atop the Colorado Plateau, Monticello's elevation is 7,069ft, leading to cooler temperatures year round.

Services/Amenities

Monticello is one of the larger towns in the area with a population of 2,000 people and offers more amenities then some of the smaller surrounding communities. When you need a place to stay for the night, you will find options in Monticello. There are a couple of national chain motels, but also a nice array of local establishments. Most offer fairly basic amenities and tend to be a tad dated, but prices are competitive so shop around. There is also a bed and breakfast in town,which offers a slightly fancier option.

Whether you are traveling the west in an RV or maybe you just prefer to spend the night under the stars, you have options as well. There are plenty of campgrounds around Monticello, each offering different amenities and prices. But overall, they tend to be cheaper then a hotel or motel.

When your stomach starts to rumble, you will find plenty of restaurants to choose from. The cuisine tends to follow similar lines at each restaurant, think lots of steak, hamburgers, salad bars, potatoes, beans, etc. There is a juice shop in town and a couple of fast food establishments as well.

In addition to food and lodging, Monticello offers a grocery store, hospital, gas stations, souvenir shops, and plenty of churches.

Activities

Located in the heart of the Utah wilderness means you will never be board when in Monticello. Head over to Canyonlands National Park and hike some of the 60 miles of trails found in the Needles, drive the technical 4WD roads of Elephant Hill, horseback ride into the backcountry, or simply enjoy a bit of stargazing.

Head into La Sal National Forest for more adventure. Hike, bike, backpack, or horseback ride into the remote corners of Dark Canyon, or bag a peak by summiting Abajo Peak. Take a scenic drive and enjoy the beautiful alpine and ponderosa pine forests and the open scenic vistas of the valley below.

Within a relatively short drive, you can be enjoying an abundance of outdoor recreation and sight seeing at Arches National Park and Natural Bridges National Monument.

Attractions

Monticello, UT is located close to many natural attractions and is home to others, so head to town for a bit of exploration.

Monticello, an old west town with an every changing image, is now home to one of Utah's best golf courses. Forget that the course sits on an old uranium processing site, because those days have faded into the past. Today, the course is surrounded by amazing high desert scenery. The various elevations found throughout the course will challenge even the best golfers. If a full 18-holes is too much to handle, head over to the miniature golf course.

In addition to golf, there are many natural sights to enjoy around Monticello. The town is the closest gateway to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, found in the southeast corner of the park and named after the colorful spires that are common in the area.

Monticello is found at the base of Manti La Sal National Forest in the Abajo Mountains. These 'Blue' mountains, as they are commonly called, offer great opportunities for wilderness exploration.

Monticello, UT is also home to the San Juan County Fair and Fairgrounds. Don't miss the annual San Juan County Heritage Festival, generally held in September, which celebrates the region with live entertainment, decadent food, contests, and even a marathon.

Getting Here

The drive from Moab to Monticello, UT is quick and easy, but dotted with amazing wonders. You may just want to take your time and do a bit of exploring on your journey south. Stop and enjoy the interesting sights of Looking Glass Rock or the petroglyphs of Newspaper Rock.

From Moab, head south on US-191 for roughly 54 miles until you reach the town of Monticello, UT.