Overview
Monticello is a cool haven in the midst of the Canyon Country region of Utah. Located at the base of the Blue Mountains (aka "Abajo" Mountains) in the center of San Juan County, Monticello typically has cooler weather than the surrounding desert. This makes it ideal for summer hiking, biking, horseback riding and motorsports and a delightful place to cross country ski or snowmobile in the winter. From the Blue Mountains you can see the Four Corners Region, consisting of Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Monticello
Hideout Golf Course
18-hole golf course designed by Forrest L. Richardson. It has a driving range, chipping and putting areas, a snack bar, and pro shop. Interestingly, it was built in 2001 as part of a reclamation project of a former urani…
Canyon Country Discovery Center
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 96°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Sep and Oct. (climate data from nearby Hovenweep National Monument)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- CEZ Cortez Municipal Airport, Cortez — 55 mi away. Directions
- CNY Canyonlands Regional Airport, Moab — 65 mi away. Directions
- SLC Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City — 246 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Monticello Municipal Airport has limited facilities. Contact the city offices at 435-587-2271 for information.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hideout Golf Course
- Lunch Roughlock RV Park & Steakhouse
- Afternoon Canyon Country Discovery Center
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
- from Moab and I-70: travel south on Highway 191; Monticello is one hour south of Moab
- from Cortez, Colorado and Mesa Verde National Park: travel west on Highway 491; Monticello is one hour west of Cortez
- from Flagstaff, Arizona, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Lake Powell and the Navajo Nation: travel north on Highway 191; Monticello is four hours north of Flagstaff and one and a half hours north of Monument Valley
By bus
- Salt Lake Express stops in Monticello on its route between Salt Lake City and Blanding.
By air
The Monticello Municipal Airport has limited facilities. Contact the city offices at 435-587-2271 for information.
See
Do
Eat
Eat Roughlock RV Park & Steakhouse
Fantastic steakhouse with old west atmosphere. Reservations recommended, operates seasonally.
Sleep
Go next
- Canyonlands National Park. Monticello is the closest town to the park's Needles District, home to excellent hiking opportunities among impressive and odd rock spires.
Nearby
Blanding
City / town · 4 listings · 18 mi away
Canyonlands National Park
Park · 45 listings · 31 mi away
Hovenweep National Monument
Park · 2 listings · 37 mi away
Natural Bridges National Monument
Park · 6 listings · 41 mi away
Dead Horse Point State Park
Park · 49 mi away
Moab
City / town · 27 listings · 50 mi away
Dolores
City / town · 2 listings · 53 mi away
Cortez
City / town · 14 listings · 55 mi away
My experience
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