When we checked in at the Monticello Visitor Center, they gave us lots of brochures about sights to see in the area (highly recommend a stop there if you are in the area.) Included was a single, typed page of sights along Montezuma Canyon Road (County Road 146). Only five miles south of Monticello, we set out for the 33-mile, dirt-road drive.
Only a couple of the stops are marked, so you are on your own to follow the instructions on the paper (that are not always accurate). Nonetheless, we had a lot of fun making this drive. Here are some of our stops:
- Tracks carved into rock face leading upwards to cave.
- Two modern homes built into the sandstone and a trailer in a cave (all had solar panels).
- Many ranchers also use caves for storage.
- Montezuma Canyon Ranch and Vineyards.
It’s always a treat to see a pond in the high desert! After passing it we came to a fallen tree limb blocking the road. Too heavy to move, we were able to drive around it.
- Continuing on the dirt road, we next came to Indian Brave rock, an arch formation, and another “window” formation.
- Built into the alcoves of this cliff face, are the Honeycomb Ruins and Granary.
Our sweet girl, Sadie, had a lot of fun looking for lizards (that she never catches) at each stop.
Three Kivas Pueblo is maintained by the BLM and can be seen along the road here. The area is fenced but there is an entrance for visitors.
Of course, I had to climb down the ladder to check out the kiva. This is what it looked like inside (most kivas no longer have a roof). Sadie was very curious about what was down there!
About 3.5 miles from Three Kivas, we stopped to check out this rock art believed to depict the pioneers coming to San Juan County.
At about the 32-mile mark, we came to this large “puddle” in the middle of the road. It seemed shallow enough for our Mini Countryman to clear, until John walked through it. And we could not drive around it (too muddy). With no cell service and several bad experiences with water on the road previously, we made the decision to turn around and retrace our route. But we were only a mile or two from Perkins Road! Better safe than sorry. Apparently this pond is here year round as evidenced by the vegetation around it!
This was a really fun adventure. The mileage reflected on the paper we got from the Visitor Center is not totally accurate but searching for the landmarks along the road was what made it so enjoyable. We did not find all of them! A high-clearance vehicle is advisable when driving this dirt road.
On our way home, we saw this adorable young white-tail deer crossing the road.
For information about Montezuma Canyon Road, visit the Monticello (UT) Visitor Center.
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