Location: Monticello
Top Things to do in Monticello
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Top 6 Free Things to do in Monticello, Utah (UT)
Monticello (/mɒntɪˈsɛloʊ/ MON-ti-SEL-oh) is a city located in San Juan County, Utah, and is the county seat. It is the second most populous city in San Juan County, with a population of 1,958 at the 2000 census. The Monticello area was settled in July 1887 by pioneers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Monticello, named in honor of Thomas Jefferson's estate, became the county seat in 1895 and was incorporated as a city in 1910.
Restaurants in Monticello
1. Newspaper Rock Recreation Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 274 reviews
A giant rock covered with ancient petroglyphs.
Reviewed By michaeljones46 - Oklahoma City, United States
Cool rock art on the way to Canyonlands-Needles District. Has good parking, pit toilets. Very high quality petroglyphs that are easy to view- just a few feet from the parking area. Worth stopping and seeing, and the drive on to Canyonlands is beautiful-so is that part of the park.
2. Loyd's Lake
3. Bears Ears National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By 451pn
Great place to visit to get away from the crowds! Unlike visiting Mesa Verde NP. The trails are primitive, but for me, that makes it more fun. It's like finding the ruins for the first time. Close by are Natural Bridges NM and Canyonlands NP which are great places to visit for sight seeing or hiking. There is much to see and explore in this part of Utah!
4. Frontier Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By davidcY733LG - Salt Lake City, United States
We had the pleasure of stopping into the visitor center in efforts to obtain some “plan b’s” around the area on a rare snowy day. This place (particularly Ellen) blew us away. From someone who spends a lot of time reading the best books, maps, and blog posts regarding San Juan County, I couldn’t believe how much more material specific to the region that I’ve never seen (and likely doesn’t exist outside of it) was held in this visitor center, as well as the expertise of its attendant. The curated map selection and brochures are worth the trip alone, but Ellen was able to provide context and useful guidance for our snowy day (Montezuma Creek Canyon) that you can only obtain from a passionate local. This experience is what I always hope ranger visits will be, but rarely are. And then there is a small, but incredible museum documenting the region’s early inhabitants, native and pioneer. There is even a store, that held replica corrugated pots and items I had looked for in big Moab stores and otherwise, but never found. All in all, a true gem in Monticello.
5. Monticello Welcome Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 39 reviews
