Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-26. Check linked official notices before travel.

Bears Ears National Monument in southern Utah protects a cultural landscape managed by the Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service with the Bears Ears Commission. Build a visit around a specific road, trailhead, and permit. BLM’s October 25, 2026 Cedar Mesa report warns that many roads are washed out and impassable.

Cultural sites and canyon country

Rock imagery, ancestral pueblo homes, and canyon landscapes define this region. Indian Creek offers sandstone climbing and cliff habitat for raptors. Choose a destination only after checking its access conditions and the rules for visiting cultural sites.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Safety information

Use the Cedar Mesa road and water conditions report before a backcountry trip. Do not enter narrow canyons when storms threaten or camp in dry washes. Cell service is unreliable. Carry sufficient water; BLM recommends at least a gallon per person per day, and natural sources vary.

Visit with respect

Leave artifacts in place, keep hands off rock imagery, and do not climb or lean on cultural structures. Drone use is prohibited in the monument. BLM’s exception allows formally authorized, case-by-case takeoffs and landings only when the use benefits the protection of monument objects. Follow BLM’s Visit with Respect guidance. Pets are excluded from archaeological sites and several Cedar Mesa canyons; check the route-specific restrictions before bringing a dog.

Passes and limited permits

The Cedar Mesa permit system distinguishes unlimited day-hiking passes from limited permits: Moon House admits 20 people a day, and canyon backpacking permits are limited to 20 people per trailhead per day. Recreation.gov reservations for Moon House and backpacking open up to 90 days ahead.

Maps, location, and access

Bluff, Blanding, Monticello, and Mexican Hat are regional planning bases. Highways 191, 211, 95, 261, and 163 reach different portions of the monument. Match the destination to the appropriate approach; there is no single road itinerary for the entire area. The current management page distinguishes maps made before the 2026 boundary change.

Nearby parks

From the Cedar Mesa side, Natural Bridges National Monument is reached at the end of UT 275 off UT 95. On the Indian Creek side, Canyonlands National Park’s Needles District is a nearby destination along the UT 211 corridor. Choose the option near your actual route rather than treating the two sides of Bears Ears as one stop.

Hiking and climbing

Day hikes in Cedar Mesa and Comb Ridge require the appropriate pass, while Moon House needs a limited permit. Check access before committing to a canyon route. In Indian Creek, wait at least 24–48 hours after rain before climbing sandstone and respect the current raptor avoidance areas.

Services and overnight planning

Kane Gulch Ranger Station provides a seasonal contact point along UT 261, about four miles south of UT 95. Arrive with your drinking water: supplies there are only occasionally available. Indian Creek’s Hamburger Rock and Superbowl campgrounds have no drinking water or cell service. Their individual sites cost USD 15 per night, with a maximum stay of 14 days, and are first come, first served; group-site reservations are handled separately. Confirm road access before relying on an overnight stop.

About Bears Ears

Stewardship and boundaries

These lands remain sacred to Native American Tribes and are used for traditional and ceremonial purposes. An intergovernmental agreement signed in 2022 formalized management cooperation with the five-Tribe Bears Ears Commission. BLM records a further boundary modification in July 2026.

Cliff habitat

Golden eagles and peregrine falcons use Indian Creek’s cliffs. Seasonal climbing avoidance areas protect nesting birds; the dates vary with nesting activity.

Contact

BLM Monticello Field Office: 435-587-1500, 365 North Main Street, Monticello, UT 84535. Ask about the specific route and latest road conditions when planning a remote visit.