5-Star Ruins at 4 Corners
Four Corners Inn sits among some of the country’s best-preserved Native American ruins. Nothing Bland-ing about it.
Utah’s original inhabitants have a story to tell. The Four Corners area is a web of sacred places, ancient dwellings and see-to-believe rock art. Head to Blanding, set up camp in a comfy room at Four Corners Inn, make sure your memory card is empty, and head out to these four sites. Just don’t ruin anything. (Ha!)
1. Edge of the Cedars
Located right in town, a short walk from Four Corners Inn, this state park houses the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan pottery in the area. A museum has been built next to a site of an ancient village with kivas and other dwelling units. These structures have been restored and can be viewed as part of a short walking tour on a paved interpretive trail.
Directions from Four Corners Inn:
Head west on Center St. for 0.6 miles
Turn right on 400 W for 0.4 miles
Turn left on 400 N for 0.2 miles
2. Hovenweep
A short scenic drive (45 minutes) gets you to Hovenweep National Monument, home to more than 2,500 people in 900 A.D. Throughout the ruins you’ll see castles, towers, check dams (for irrigation), cliff dwellings, pueblos and houses. Square Tower is a must-see, as it’s home to several well preserved structures.
Directions from Four Corners Inn:
Head west on Center St. for 0.2 miles
Turn left onto US-191 for 14.8 miles
Turn left onto UT-262 for 8.4 miles
Turn left onto Hovenweep Rd. for 6.7 miles
Turn right onto Reservation Rd. for 15.3 miles
Turn right onto C R 268A for 0.4 miles
3. Butler Wash Ruins
Cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloans that represent the full range of living activities: habitation, ceremony, farming, hunting, storage, and tool-making. You’ll see four kivas (underground ceremonial chambers). The viewpoint is just a half-mile hike from the parking lot.
Directions from Four Corners Inn:
Head west on Center St. for 0.2 miles
Turn left onto US-191 for 4.0 miles
Turn right onto UT-95 for 10.5 miles
The parking lot will be on your right
4. Mule Canyon Ruins
Multiple Ancestral Puebloan sites are located in and around Mule Canyon (just up the highway from Butler Wash Ruins). There is a super interesting ruin just minutes from the road, but we recommend taking the time to hike to House on Fire, one of the coolest ancient dwellings in Utah. It’s a one-mile hike up South Mule Canyon.
Directions from Four Corners Inn:
Head west on Center St. for 0.2 miles
Turn left onto US-191 for 4.0 miles
Turn right onto UT-95 for 19.4 miles
The parking lot will be on your right