The Little Town Of Monticello, Utah Is Surrounded By Natural Playgrounds
By Catherine Armstrong|Published July 27, 2020
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
