Where in the West Should I Go? • 52 Places to Visit in 2022
About an hour south of Moab and its famous Arches National Park lies the city of Monticello. It’s the second most populous city in San Juan County, but with a population of about 2,600, it’s far from metropolitan.
What it lacks in quantity, it has in quality. Its 7,000-foot elevation means a four-season climate with moderate springs, cool summers, colorful falls and snowy winters.
You may not spend a ton of time in this city on your way to or from the major national parks that surround it, but it’s a great place along UT-191 that warrants a stop.
The quiet area is home to the Frontier Museum, which is housed in an old barn. Frontier life from more than 100 years ago is on full display, featuring mainly exhibits on vintage clothing and household items.
For golfers, Hideout Golf Course is a must. Opened in 2001, the 18-hole course is quite beautiful and offers very reasonable rates.
Just outside of the quaint downtown is Loyds Lake, a peaceful place with a walking trail. It’s also a great place to fish or swim and escape the mass of people you may have seen in Moab (or Arches and Canyonlands).
For those heading on long road trips, Monticello is also an excellent point from which to head east into Colorado and the San Juan National Forest or south into Northern Arizona.
