The Ultimate Guide to the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway

Southeastern Utah is a bastion of fascinating natural architecture and ancient history. When you stay in Blanding, UT, expect to see beautiful red rock scenery as well as remnants of a people long missing. Both grant a sense of mystery and wonder to the desert landscape of the Beehive State.


If you want to see as much of Utah’s natural and historical attractions as possible, the Trail of the Ancients should be on your radar. This scenic byway will guide you to some of the most notable natural attractions in the area.


Cedar Canyon Vacation Rentals lies on The Trail of the Ancients. The scenic drive spans almost all of southeastern Utah, but also includes small sections of Colorado. The drive runs 10 hours without stopping, so prepare for a day’s expedition. We’ve made a list of attractions on the side of the trail so you can decide which ones you want to stop for.

Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway Map

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Canyon Country Discovery Center

Address: 1117 N Main St, Monticello, UT

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10AM - 4PM, Closed Sundays and Mondays


This is less of a historical museum and more of an educational one! It’s great for young kids who are discovering the world around them. There are physics experiments, natural exhibits and much more. Maybe not a reason to go to Monticello on its own, but can be fun as a pit stop!

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Comb Ridge

Heading southwest from Blanding, UT, you’ll have the chance to see the 80-mile long Comb Ridge. The jaggy cliffsides inspired its name, and it makes for an excellent pull-over panoramic picture. 


Ancestral Puebloans made use of the rock for shelter, and you can still see remnants of their civilization today. If you plan your trip ahead of time, you can reserve a guide for a fascinating dive into ancient history.

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Grand Gulch

Moving down the road, you’ll eventually come to Grand Gulch, a vast valley that spans almost 50 miles. If you hike parts of the cliffside, you’ll find an impressive concentration of Native American dwellings, sites, and drawings.


Kane Gulch is a tributary connected to Grand Gulch.

This is where we recommend you start your walk.

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Valley of the Gods

Perhaps the most varied section of driving on the byway, the Valley of the Gods has a myriad of buttes, canyons, and red rock to admire as you drive down the highway. Backpackers will be happy to know that hikes are seeded along this valley that will guide you to Bell Butte, Scotchman Butte, and many more.


At this point in the drive, there will be basically no gas stations. As such, make sure you are well-fueled and have all the supplies you need before you continue down this stretch of road.

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Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Continue down toward Arizona, and you’ll find the Navajo Tribal Park. Snap a picture of massive sandstone cliff sides, red rock mountains, and the world-renowned Merrick Butte and Mitten Butte.


Motorcycles and small cars aren’t allowed on this part of the drive because of the rough terrain and sand dunes, so if you’re traveling in one of these vehicles, feel free to skip this one.

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Hovenweep National Monument

This attraction is fairly close to Blanding, and is on the return trip if you’ve been following along with this guide exactly. The Hovenweep Monument contains relics of the ancestral Puebloans. 


The Hovenweep Towers are one of the most notable, though there are other smaller ruined buildings that you can still see today.

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Four Corners

Address: 597 NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, AZ

Hours: 8AM - 6:45PM

Cost: $8 per person


Are you trying to fill in your state’s visited map, and want an easy way to check off four of them? Come to the Four Corners monument—the only place that you can be in four states at one time.

When you arrive at the monument, you’ll see vendors at all four corners, selling souvenirs from all the different states! While maybe not the most thrilling attraction, it’s the only place you can actually do this in the entire country, so you might as well visit it for that alone!

Check on the masking requirements for the monument by clicking the button below!

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Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Driving eastward on Highway 262 (just 15 minutes from Blanding), you’ll be able to visit one of the most memorable Ancient American sites in the west. With a tour guide, you can walk on the ruins of an ancient civilization. 


Appreciate the craftsmanship and culture of this impressive monument and admire the culture that has long since passed. It’s a fun pit stop toward the end of the scenic byway, or as a short day trip all on its own.

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While we’ve been able to talk about many of the worthwhile stops on the Trail of the Ancients, there are still a few that we missed. If you want to learn more about fun places like Natural Bridges National Monument, consider looking at our Things to Do page for even more Utah travel information!


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