National Monuments

Bears Ears is a spectacular national monument in southeastern Utah—centering on Bears Ears Peaks, extending across mesas, canyons, and archeological sites. It is stewarded by Indigenous tribes and federal agencies to protect cultural heritage, wilderness, and plant and animal life.

Overview

• The area takes its name from the twin buttes known as the Bears Ears Peaks, which rise prominently above the surrounding landscape.
• Bears Ears is home to an unparalleled concentration of archaeological and cultural sites, many of which have been continuously inhabited or used for over 12,000 years.
• The monument is co-managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service, and a coalition of Native American tribes, including the Hopi, Navajo, Ute Mountain Ute, Pueblo of Zuni, and Ute Indian Tribe. This partnership seeks to blend modern conservation science with Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge.

Plan Your Visit

Bears Ears Visitor Center (Blanding, UT)

• The center provides maps, trail information, exhibits on the region's cultural and natural history, and guidance on current access conditions.
• Rangers and staff are available to help visitors plan safe and responsible trips into the monument's backcountry.
• The center is located at 25 North 300 West, Blanding, UT, and is a good first stop for orientation and trip planning.

Monument Canyon Trailhead

• The trail descends from the surface mesas into a deep, sculpted canyon, passing through diverse plant communities and offering views of towering sandstone cliffs.
• Hikers can extend their trip to explore remote alcoves and see evidence of ancient habitation.

Keet Seel Archaeological Site

• The site features large stone masonry structures built into a natural alcove, with visible rooms, kivas, and granaries.
• Access is by a ranger-guided hike, which is strenuous and approximately 4.5 miles round trip.
• Hikes are seasonal and require advance registration; more information is available through the Bears Ears Visitor Center.

Bears Ears Scenic Drive

• Several pullouts allow for photography and short walks to unique geological and cultural features.
• The drive provides a sense of the monument’s vast scale and varied topography.

Wildlife

Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni)

• These sheep are well adapted to arid environments and can travel long distances to find water.
• Conservation efforts aim to protect their habitat from fragmentation and disease.

Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

• They nest on high cliffs and are capable of covering vast territories during their hunts.
• The monument’s undisturbed landscapes provide ideal hunting and nesting grounds.

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)

• Conservation of wetland and riparian vegetation is critical for their survival.
• The monument supports efforts to monitor and protect these sensitive habitats.

Geology and Landscape

• The twin Bears Ears buttes are prominent landmarks formed from resistant sandstone layers that have withstood erosion.
• The area features diverse geological formations, including the Cedar Mesa, Natural Bridges, and Valley of the Gods, showcasing layers of sedimentary rock, fossils, and unique erosional features.
• Canyons such as Monument and Mule canyons cut deep into the landscape, revealing cliff dwellings and archaeological sites tucked into natural alcoves.

Indigenous Stewardship and Archaeology

• The five Tribes of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition play a central role in the monument’s management, bringing traditional ecological knowledge and cultural values to bear on land stewardship.
• Collaborative efforts focus on protecting sacred sites, restoring damaged areas, and educating the public about the monument’s deep cultural significance.
• Ranger-guided tours, such as those to Keet Seel and Betatakin, offer insights into ancestral Puebloan life and the region’s rich history.

Flora

Pinyon Pine (Pinus edulis)

• The trees produce nutritious pine nuts that have been harvested by Indigenous peoples for centuries.
• Pinyon-juniper woodlands provide habitat for many wildlife species and help stabilize soils.

Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma)

• These hardy trees are well adapted to arid conditions and have deep cultural and ecological importance.
• Their berries serve as food for birds and mammals, and their dense woodlands offer shelter and shade.

Mormon Tea (Ephedra viridis)

• It has medicinal properties and a long history of use by Indigenous communities.
• The plant’s jointed stems and small leaves make it distinctive in the arid landscape.

Management

• The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service oversee day-to-day management in collaboration with the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition.
• Management priorities include protecting cultural resources, restoring natural ecosystems, managing recreational use, and promoting educational outreach.
• The monument supports sustainable use practices, scientific research, and restoration projects to ensure its ecological and cultural integrity for future generations.

Additional Resources

• Bears Ears National Monument – National Park Service (for visitor information and monument overview)
• Bears Ears National Monument – Bureau of Land Management (for management and plan updates)
• Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition (for information on Indigenous stewardship and partnership)
• Visit Utah – Bears Ears National Monument (for travel planning and region highlights)
• Keet Seel – National Park Service (for details on site access and tours)

Links

• Map