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Bears Ears National Monument tops Fodor’s 2019 Go List
The ‘spectacularly rugged landscape’ of Utah’s Canyon Country is a must-see travel destination
MONTICELLO, Utah (November XX, 2018) — Fodor’s Travel, the popular online travel guide, has released its annual “Go List,” which recommends 52 destinations around the world for travelers to visit throughout the coming year. At the top of the list for 2019 was Bears Ears National Monument.
Located in San Juan County—Utah’s Canyon Country—Bears Ears is one of America’s newest national monuments, established in December 2016 by President Barack Obama. In its short time as a national monument, Bears Ears has proven to be a point of controversy, most recently being reduced in size by President Donald Trump in 2017, which has sparked a number of ongoing legal battles.
Despite the controversy surrounding the monument, travel journalist Shoshi Parks, writing for Fodor’s, highlighted the grandeur of the area saying the monument “includes some of the area’s most stunning natural beauty” with landmarks like the Indian Creek Canyon, Newspaper Rock and Sixshooter Peaks.
“Obviously we’re thrilled to be recognized so prominently by a travel publication as highly regarded as Fodor’s,” said Natalie Randall, San Juan County’s director of Economic Development & Visitor Services. “We hope that because of this, more people will be able to visit and enjoy the beauty we have here in our corner of Southeastern Utah.”
The two areas of the Bears Ears National Monument—Shash Jaa and Indian Creek—sit near Blanding, Bluff and Monticello, and offer access to a number of other nearby sites, such as the iconic Monument Valley, Manti-La Sal National Forest and the expansive Canyonlands National Park, which includes more of the unique geological landscapes for which San Juan County is known.
For more than 80 years, Fodor’s Travel has become the leading name in travel recommendations. The annual Go List, now in its tenth year, features locations from around the world. With so many destinations available to today’s travelers, Fodor’s Go List is meant to help guide people in the decision of where to best spend their time and money.
To select the locations, Fodor’s editorial team begins with an initial list of hundreds of global and domestic destinations, which is then narrowed to the top 52 after rigorous internal debate. The final list reflects travel opportunities to suit every taste and budget and sets the tone for travel trends through the following year.
For 2019, Bears Ears National Monument joins other premier destinations from around the world. Like the list itself, the monument offers a multitude of experiences that can fit most any travel plan. The surrounding landmarks around Bears Ears offer near-boundless opportunities for outdoor recreation, such as camping, hiking, biking, climbing and river rafting. Natural history museums and archeological sites can be found throughout the county for visitors who want to learn about the rich history of the region. Nearby towns, like Blanding, Bluff, Monticello and Mexican Hat, offer a variety of lodging accommodations and dining for authentic travel experiences in the American Southwest.
“We have so many beautiful locations and so many interesting places, with great food and great lodgings,” Randall said. “There’s so much more to San Juan County than the conversations that surround it, and we hope people can experience that for themselves.”
Fodor’s recommends traveling to the area in the spring and early fall to capitalize on the temperate climate and low crowds.
For information on lodging, events, travel itineraries and more, visit utahscanyoncountry.com.
About San Juan County:
San Juan County—also known as Utah’s Canyon Country—is located in the Four Corners region of the United States where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet. The region provides easy access to several notable sights and features, including the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Bears Ears, Canyonlands, Natural Bridges, Hovenweep, Mesa Verde, Arches and Lake Powell. The county also features two state parks: Edge of the Cedars Museum and Goosenecks. With activities such as hiking, river rafting and off-roading—as well as interesting cultural and natural history experiences—Utah’s Canyon Country is a great adventure destination for people of all ages. To plan your vacation, visit utahscanyoncountry.com or call the San Juan County Visitor Services at 435-587-3235.
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