The American Southwest is a land of striking contrasts, where towering red rock formations meet vast desert plains. As such, many travelers set their sights on the well-known towns and cities, eager to experience the region’s dramatic landscapes, adrenaline-pumping activities, and storied past. Moab, which is so famous that it receives millions of visitors each year, often claims the spotlight as Utah’s ultimate desert retreat.
Yet, for those who crave the same breathtaking scenery or easy access to some of Utah's most popular national parks, like Arches and Canyonlands, without the crowds, there is an underrated alternative worth checking out — Blanding, Utah. This desert destination grants access to the same iconic landscapes, along with a rich cultural history that spans thousands of years.
For those willing to skip Moab and step off the beaten path, this underrated city is also located within a short drive of Utah’s most famous national parks and scenic sites.
Underrated Blanding Is The Hidden Gateway To Utah's Top National Parks
Blanding is a peaceful city nestled in southeastern Utah, about 75 miles from Moab, making it far removed from the city's bustling crowds. Located in San Juan County, this city is home to over 3,000 residents, providing a quiet yet adventurous retreat to some of Utah's most underrated yet scenic summer spots.
Surrounded by dramatic red rock landscapes, deep canyons, and ancient archaeological wonders, Blanding is an ideal base for exploring some of Utah’s most breathtaking natural and historical sites, much like the more famous Moab.
Blanding’s roots trace back to the late 19th century when Mormon settlers from the Hole-in-the-Rock expedition sought fertile land and new opportunities. Over the decades, the town has retained its frontier spirit, blending modern amenities with a deep connection to the region’s Indigenous and pioneer history.
Today, Blanding serves as the gateway to a vast, unspoiled desert landscape, where visitors can experience history, solitude, and adventure all in one place.
While most visitors to Canyonlands head straight for the Island in the Sky district near Moab, Blanding provides easier access to the Needles District. This less-visited yet equally spectacular section of Canyonlands sits less than 1.5 hours from Blanding.
Named after its colorful spires of sandstone, the Needles offers some of the best hiking and backcountry experiences in Utah, without being as remote as the deadly Maze District. Unlike the busy overlooks of Island in the Sky, the Needles District provides a remote and immersive desert experience, perfect for those looking for solitude.
With a network of over 60 miles of challenging trails, the Needles District is a haven for experienced hikers seeking adventure and breathtaking views. Trails like the Chesler Park Loop showcase the district’s stunning rock formations, while the Druid Arch Trail offers gorgeous views of one of the park’s most impressive arches.
Arches National Park is one of Utah’s must-visit destinations, renowned for its over 2,000 natural stone arches. This park is an easy day trip from Blanding.
Even better, Arches National Park is easy to experience in a single day, especially if you follow the guidance of locals on how to navigate the relatively small park.
A day trip to Arches can easily include completing the popular Delicate Arch hike, a 3.2-mile out-and-back trail to the most famous arch in the world. Visitors should also plan to spend some time in the Windows Section, while the Devils Garden area at the end of the scenic drive offers a unique finale in the form of the Landscape Arch.
Blanding Is Also The Perfect Gateway To Utah's Other Outdoor Recreation Areas
Utah's five national parks are some of the most popular destinations in the country, but they aren't the only popular outdoor areas in the diverse state.
Additional sites, including national monuments, state parks, and public land, offer similar experiences, often with smaller crowds than the national parks themselves. Fortunately, Blanding also provides easy access to four unique Utah destinations.
Natural Bridges National Monument is one of the most underrated gems in Utah. Natural Bridges is home to unique features, including three massive natural bridges that were carved over thousands of years by water erosion.
Despite being less visited, this monument features beautiful trails, including the Sipapu Bridge Trail, which descends into a canyon. This moderately challenging route offers up-close views of one of the park’s largest bridges.
The park’s Kachina and Owachomo Bridges are also accessible via shorter trails, all offering excellent photography opportunities.
As one of Utah’s first International Dark Sky Parks, Natural Bridges offers unparalleled stargazing opportunities, with some of the darkest skies in the country.
Hovenweep National Monument is another underrated gem in Utah, offering a fascinating glimpse into how the ancestral Puebloans lived thousands of years ago.
As one of the best ancestral archeological sites in the Southwest, this historic site features well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan ruins scattered across the high desert landscape, perfect for history buffs and hikers looking for a quieter, more reflective experience. The park features six prehistoric villages, with structures such as Square Tower, Holly House, Cutthroat Castle, and Hovenweep Castle.
Adventurers explore the structures via interconnected hiking trails, including the 0.82-mile Hovenweep Castle Hike, leading along Square Tower Loop Trail. This trail allows travelers to view the Square Tower Group structures, the Hovenweep House, and the Square Tower before heading back to the starting point.
Goosenecks State Park is a bucket-list destination for travelers who love dramatic landscapes and jaw-dropping vistas. Located less than one hour from Blanding, this park offers one of the most spectacular river meanders in the world, seen from a picturesque viewpoint.
The park’s main viewpoint showcases the majestic San Juan River as it twists and turns through deep canyons in a series of tight, snake-like bends.
Aside from the viewpoint, the park is a photographic paradise, with its unique geological formations and deep canyon walls creating a vibrant contrast of colors. Camping under the stars is also a must-do when visiting Goosenecks since it has primitive camping with little light pollution, making it a top spot for stargazing.
Mule Canyon is another natural site near Blanding, home to some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in Utah. The canyon features the House on Fire Ruin, which gets its name from the way the sunlight reflects off the sandstone, making it look like the structure is engulfed in flames.
Adventurers explore the ruins via the easy and short House on Fire Trail, a relatively accessible route for most visitors. Beyond House on Fire, the canyon is filled with additional cliff dwellings and rock art, perfect for those looking to venture deeper into history.
Blanding Itself Is An Underrated, Quirky Town, Just Like Moab
While Blanding serves as the perfect base to explore some of Utah’s most popular national parks, the city itself has a variety of unique attractions for visitors to enjoy.
For history lovers, the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Utah. This state park and museum preserves a 1,000-year-old Ancestral Puebloan village, offering visitors a first-hand glimpse into the daily lives of the Indigenous people who once thrived in this region. VisitUtah explains the significance of this museum and the artifacts it preserves —
"Edge of the Cedars State Park & Museum is the only sanctioned repository for ancient artifacts in the Four Corners region. The museum showcases Ancestral Puebloan culture with contemporary Native American and the largest display of artifacts in the Four Corners."
In this park, visitors walk among the remains of a large Puebloan settlement, including a well-preserved ceremonial chamber known as a kiva. Adventurers also discover an extensive artifact collection related to the Indigenous people, such as pottery, tools, and intricate jewelry.
Blanding, like Moab, is ideal for the dinosaur-loving kid in all of us. Like Moab, Blanding has an exceptional museum featuring a variety of prehistoric specimens. The Dinosaur Museum is home to an impressive collection of dinosaur fossils, skeletons, and life-sized models, luring travelers with kids and fossil enthusiasts.
One of the museum’s highlights is its dinosaur track exhibit, displaying real fossilized footprints left behind millions of years ago. The museum also features full-scale dinosaur skeletons, as well as exhibits on ancient sea creatures and early mammals. This family-friendly destination also explores the role of dinosaurs in pop culture, displaying props and artwork from classic dinosaur movies.
From ancient ruins and dinosaur fossils to thrilling off-road trails and breathtaking vistas, Blanding’s outdoor attractions offer something for every type of traveler. The city’s hidden gems prove that Blanding is far more than just a stopover but a destination in its own right.
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