Bears Ears National Monument - Indian Creek Unit

This national monument is made up of over 1 million acres and it is an incredibly important place historically and culturally for multiple Native American tribes.

Bears Ears National Monument, located in southeast Utah, is an incredibly important and sacred facet of Native American culture. It happens to be the first-ever national monument that has been created due to the request from a union of Indigenous tribes. The protection and conservation of this massive archaeological site are of the utmost importance. The landscape of Bears Ears, which consists of breathtaking red rock canyons, juniper mesas, and buttes, spans across 1.36 million acres.

The national monument got its name because of two buttes that resemble the top of a bear’s head. With a valid permit, visitors are welcome to Bears Ears to enjoy adventures such as hiking, rock climbing, hunting, camping, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and horseback riding. There are also scenic roads that allow visitors to get a fantastic look at the landscape. You will likely come across culturally significant artifacts and archaeological sites during your time here, and it’s vital that all visitors respect these and do not touch or remove anything from the land. Many people who spend time here are amazed by just how quiet and peaceful the surroundings are as well as how marvelous the night sky is once the sun goes down.