Table of Contents
Update August 2023
The desert landscape of Utah slowly gives way to mountains and pine scrub forests the closer you get to Colorado. This is the ultimate travel guide, for roadtrippin Arches to Mesa Verde. There are many hidden gems along the way, driving Arches National Park to Mesa Verde National Park. If you drive straight through, it will take 3.5 hours. There are some interesting side trips on your way-some that will blow your mind. It may take a little longer to stop at a few of the natural wonders along the way!
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Our adventure began amid the iconic red rock formations of Arches National Park. A day trip had us hike to Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and explore the surreal landscapes that make this park a natural wonder. Early the next morning, our road trip from Arches to Mesa Verde was an exploration of geological marvels, ancient history, and cultural heritage.
Classic Hole N” The Rock: A Unique Roadside Attraction
Your first stop is very easy to find – you can’t miss the huge painted sign for this quirky roadside attraction. This was a pleasant diversion as we wandered around the odd sculptures, weird artifacts, nostalgic relics, and the small petting zoo. They named it Hole N”The Rock for the 5,000 sq ft, 14 room home blasted into the rock back in the 1950s. You can tour the home as it is now a museum. The guide tells you the rich history of this property. This funky piece of Americana costs a few bucks to see, but it is worth the price of admission.
The Secluded Beauty of Looking Glass Arch
Off the beaten path, on Looking Glass Road (MM 103) in the Canyon Rims Recreation Area. It is tucked away in the serene landscapes of the American Southwest. Looking Glass Arch is an enchanting natural wonder waiting to be explored. The arch is 1 mile on a well-maintained gravel road. Even for rental cars, it is drivable. You can see it from the road, but we walked to the archway, as it was a relatively easy hike. This arch, sculpted by the forces of nature, features a unique shape resembling a circular mirror, reflecting the surrounding landscape in a mesmerizing display. We were the only ones there truly isolated.
Walk to Wilson’s Arch: Gateway to Adventure
Just 24-miles south of Moab is Wilson’s Arch. It is hard to miss on Highway 191 south of Moab between mm 100 & 101. This is a good place to take a stretch break. It is named after Joe Wilson, a local pioneer, prospector, and rancher who left his mark on the region’s history.
According to the sign below the arch:
You can either photograph this 91 foot tall arch from your car. However, it’s a short hike to Wilson’s Arch making this landmark accessible to adventurers of all skill levels, from families with children to seasoned hikers. Although the hike up to the arch isn’t a long distance, it is fairly steep and partly over slickrock. I wouldn’t advise to climb in flip-flops. Instead, you really should have sturdy walking or hiking shoes .to scramble up the rock face. Although this is not as impressive as the delicate or windows arches in the park, we felt it was worth the short excursion up to see the spectacular views of the open desert of southeast Utah. Back on the highway, we continue south on Hwy 191.
Church Rock: A Majestic Solitary Sentinel of the Southwest
You’ll pass this monolith a bit before the turnoff (Hwy 211) to the Needles district. They often referred the large rock formation to as Church Rock. The 200-foot high geological formation is in a large, open meadow on private property. There is a pullout along the road for you to stop and take pictures. To me, it resembles a beehive to others in a church. The story is that a preacher envisioned a church if she could hollow out the rock center. Her dream never reached fruition as the community abandoned the area in favor of Monticello. The new owners created a cave to store cattle feed in the 1940s. You can see the small cave openings from the road. This landmark is interesting, sitting in the middle of the field with no other formations surrounding it. Almost like it is standing guard as a sentinel.
Unveiling Ancient Stories: Petroglyphs at Newspaper Rock Recreation Site
Continuing south on Rt. 191, the road to the Needles District-Canyonlands National Park is a right turn opposite Church Rock onto Rt. 211. The petroglyphs are a short 15-minute drive west on paved Rt. 211. You only have to go a few feet from the parking lot to see them.
Newspaper Rock is the best-known petroglyph in Utah. Here you will find some of the heaviest concentration of ancient Native American petroglyphs. The carvings are fascinating! The petroglyphs serve as windows into the lives, beliefs, and stories of ancient civilizations that once inhabited these lands. The carvings were first made around 2,000 years ago. They believe people from the Archaic, Anasazi, Fremont, Navajo, Anglo and Pueblo cultures left these. The cluster of rock designs includes animals, human figures, and various symbols. Archaeologists could not decipher the meaning of these petroglyphs, so you can draw your own conclusions to what they mean. As I stood there, I was thinking how this was kind of like Twitter for the early Native Americans.
There is a small parking area with some shade trees beside the stream and there are restrooms available. We only spent 10-minutes here before continuing to the Needles. It is worth the short detour, as you journey from Arches to Mesa Verde – even if you cannot continue to the Needles district.
Beyond imagination-Needles District Canyonlands National Park
As you continue roadtrippin on Rt. 211, the scenery becomes more jaw dropping – simply stunning. The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park has absolutely breathtaking scenery of rock spires, enormous mesa buttes, arches and canyons. First, stop at the Visitor Center for a map and information on the park. We had planned a half day to explore the winding scenic road. This area of the park is certainly less congested than the Island in the Sky area.
Exploring Nature’s Masterpiece: Hiking Trails Needles District
Because of our time constraints, we only did a few short hikes. Be sure to hike Cave Spring, Wooden Shoe Arch, and Roadside Ruin. Our favorite hike of the day was the very short 0.6-mile potholes trail to Pothole Point. Luckily, it had rained the evening before and the reflection in the holes was extraordinary. You get superb views of Needles. The trail is rock cairned so it can be confusing.
If you can plan an entire day in the district, consider renting a high clearance, 4X4 vehicle to tackle Elephant Hill and Chesler Park. You will be rewarded. The rock formations are stunning!
Travel Tip: Remember to have a full gas tank, plenty of water, snacks, and wear comfortable shoes. Bring a camera!
- Elephant Hill to Chestler Park – this is the quintessential hike if you have a full day in the park. This out and back trail is 6 miles total. However, you get rewarding views of the Needles formations. They require permits to travel the road.
- Cave Spring – We really enjoyed this short hike-you can see a cowboy camp, a spring, but be aware you need to climb two ladders near the end.
- Big Spring Overlook is a fairly level walk of approximately 5 miles. We saw colorful red and white banded sandstone spires, and a wonderful panorama of the canyon.
- Wooden Shoe Arch Overlook – The first overlook on the road resembles a Dutch wooden shoe in the distance.
- Roadside Ruin – 0.5-mile loop to an amazingly well preserved ancestral Puebloan granary.
Monticello: Your Central Hub for Exploring Everything
At the crossroads for Colorado-491 and Utah-191, is the town of Monticello. The town is central to 12 national monuments and parks, an ideal alternative to staying in Moab. It was a boomtown in the 1950s for uranium and vanadium mining. It is closer to the four corners area of the Colorado Plateau with an elevation of 7000 ft.
We made a quick pit stop at the charming Frontier Museum & Visitor Center. They house the free museum in an old barn. Not much to walk through. Interesting collection of eclectic artifacts, mining history and other memorabilia. They also have an exhibit with the unusual story of Marie Ogden of Church Rock fame. Great stop before heading down the highway.
Colorado 491 is a scenic adventure as you drive south. The terrain transitions from the red cliff bluffs and mesas to southwest farmlands as you approach Pleasant View. This part of Colorado is known for its agriculture, and you may see fields of crops, pastures, and livestock along the way. Pinto beans are the major crop grown. You will also see herds of bison on many of the local farms.
While Bears Ears National Monument itself isn’t located directly in Monticello, Utah, it’s certainly within reach for a day trip or longer exploration! We suggest if time permits adding a trip to the monument.
A Journey to the Mystical Past: Roadtripping to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Between Monticello and Cortez in Colorado, Hwy-490 is the small town of Pleasant View. If you have time, we recommend taking the short side-trip turning right at County Road CC to the 176,000 acre Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. The scenery here is really beautiful. The area is remote, but the 9-mile well-maintained paved/dirt road to Lowry Pueblo National Historic Landmark is worth the trip. It is the only developed recreation site in the monument with 40 rooms, eight kivas and a Great Kiva. We began our adventure by traveling along this scenic route that lead us through striking desert landscapes and set the tone for our expedition.
Travel Tip: Plan accordingly and bring lots of water (at least one gallon per person). There are pit toilets and picnic tables available. NO staffing, and NO water is available at the site.
Hidden Wonders: Venturing Off the Beaten Path in the Canyon
Sand Canyon Pueblo and Painted Hand are off the beaten path. You will need to do a little hiking to reach each of the unexcavated ruins. The piles of rubble at Sand Canyon Pueblo make it difficult to imagine what the site must have looked like. The interpretive panels at Sand Canyon explain what the remnants of the civilization and peoples that once lived here looked like in AD 1250.
The most interesting fact is that this was 3X the size of Cliff Palace in Mesa Verde. During its inhabitants it was quite impressive, containing 420 rooms and 90 kivas. The road to Painted Hand requires a high-clearance vehicle, and the 0.25 mile trail requires some rock scrambling down the canyon to the tower. A little further down the trail, you will find a petroglyph. Plan at least a day to see the ruins. They are quite a distant from each other.
The Anasazi Heritage Center is in Dolores, Colorado, several miles from Cortez. The knowledgeable and friendly staff can help you plan your visit to maximize your enjoyment. Use the map given at the center as the roads are not that well marked to the pueblos.
Travel NOTE: Canyons of the Ancients sites are very remote, so be sure to have a full tank of gas before venturing into the National Monument.
A Secret Oasis: Journey to a Towering Castle
Hovenweep National Monument is just a few miles on Road 10 from the Lowry site. Hovenweep includes six prehistoric villages built between A.D. 1200 and 1300. The primary structures here are Hovenweep Castle, Hovenweep House, Square Tower, Rim Rock House, Twin Towers, and Stronghold House. We took the short hike around to the Square House and Hovenweep Castle near the visitor center. Hovenweep Castle is the crown jewel, as it appears almost like a fortress. Square Tower built on a boulder is an engineering feat.
Cortez: Your Gateway to the Marvels of Mesa Verde
The Four Corners area is so rich in cultural history. Traveling east on Route 491, the city of Cortez is the gateway to Mesa Verde. Cortez serves as the perfect gateway to the wonders of Mesa Verde National Park. Here’s our guide to exploring the enchantment of Cortez and its connection to the ancient treasures of Mesa Verde:
Colorado Welcome Center: Gather Information to Explore the Centennial State
The Colorado Welcome Center serves as your welcoming introduction to the treasures, adventures, and diverse landscapes that awaited us in the Centennial State. We stopped to see if we could purchase our tickets for Mesa Verde National Park House Tours. The friendly staff volunteers told us they do not sell the tickets here anymore. Visitors must purchase the tickets at the Mesa Verde Visitor & Research Center. The two ladies behind the counter were so polite and knowledgeable about the area. Plenty of free maps and informational brochures available for Four Corners & southern Colorado destinations.
There is plenty of parking at this new building and a nice gift store. They offer complimentary coffee or tea and have spotless restrooms. Cortez is a good stopping point for gas and to restock groceries.
Fun Fact: “The Sleeping Ute.” resembles a Ute Indian Chief lying on his back with arms folded across his chest.
Embracing Traditions: Native Dancers at the Cortez Cultural Center
We stumbled upon this purely by accident. Only 0.7-miles from the Colorado Welcome Center, they house it in a historic building. If you have time in your schedule, I would highly recommend visiting. The interpretive displays are very interesting, covering the history of Montezuma county and Native American culture. There is a well-stocked gift shop with works of native artisans with many items available for purchase. We always prefer purchasing authentic artwork from local artisans. Several times a week, the Cortez Cultural Center offers Native American dancing in the evenings- and it’s all free, but they accept donations. They also have samples of delicious fry bread served during the performances. A truly a special experience!
Final Thoughts: Ultimate Travel Guide: Roadtrippin Arches to Mesa Verde
From the dramatic red rock arches of Utah to the ancient cliff dwellings of Colorado, we hope this ultimate travel guide will equip you with insights to make the most of your adventure. The landscapes you’ll encounter are more than just physical—they’re windows into the soul of the land and the stories it holds. May your journey be filled with wonder, enlightenment, and the joy of the open road.
For us, roadtrippin’ Arches to Mesa Verde was a life-changing experience. Our memories of the spectacular mesas, desert landscapes, and plateaus are etched in our minds for a lifetime. Getting out of the car, you embrace the spirit of exploration and uncover the raw, untouched beauty that lies beyond the well-trodden trails. We hope this travel guide helps you make the most of your trip!
Have you done roadtrippin in Utah or Colorado? Tell us about your trip. We would love you to share a comment below.
