Over the past several years, Southern Utah has seen a significant spike in tourism as visitors from around the world are drawn to the unparalleled beauty of its unique landscape.
While it can often be hard to escape the crowds in Southern Utah, there is still one underrated spot that offers beauty, relaxation, history, and adventure without all the tourists!
Bluff remains one of Southern Utah’s best-kept secrets and makes for the perfect weekend getaway. Keep reading to discover how to spend the perfect weekend in Bluff, Utah!
How to Spend a Weekend in Bluff, Utah
Table of Contents
Best hotels in Bluff, Utah
Start your weekend off by checking into your hotel. I would highly recommend staying at the Bluff Dwellings Resort & Spa, it is the perfect home base for your weekend adventures in Bluff.
This enchanting hotel is situated at the base of ancient sandstone cliffs and seamlessly blends into the backdrop.
The accommodations are designed to reflect the history of the Ancestral Puebloan dwellings that once dotted this landscape.
You’ll find glamping teepees, large dwellings to accommodate families, and Pueblo structures that host individual guest rooms.
We stayed in a guest room located within the Pueblo structure. The room was spacious, clean, and tastefully decorated.
The ground-level guest rooms also open up to a shared outdoor space with a fire pit and seating.
Every evening at dusk, the fire pits are lit and it creates such a beautiful ambiance.
After checking into your room, take some time to enjoy the activities offered at the hotel.
The swimming pool provides a refreshing oasis on a hot summer day when the temperatures can soar close to 100 degrees.
There is also a hot tub that is great for the cooler months or an evening soak under the stars.
If you are traveling with kids, they will love the playground with a play teepee, saucer swing, slides, and innovative climbing structures.
*Related post: If you’re planning to visit St. George while in Southern Utah, check out our guide 10 Awesome Things to do in St. George with Kids!
There are also sand volleyball courts, a rope swing, and an obstacle course to challenge the older kids.
Adults will definitely enjoy indulging in one of the several spa treatments offered at the HozHo Spa.
Outdoor concerts are also held on select dates and are free for hotel guests.
These live music events are performed in the beautiful Canyon View Outdoor Venue and are a memorable experience for the whole family.
Best restaurants in Bluff, Utah
After getting settled into your room and exploring the resort, you’ll probably want to grab a bite to eat.
The Cedar Shack Cafe is conveniently located on-site at the Bluff Dwellings Resort and offers fresh mouthwatering dishes.
We were so impressed with the variety and quality of food produced by this casual outdoor cafe!
The hand-tossed artisan pizza was divine and we couldn’t get enough of their fresh smoothies.
The Navajo Ash Bread and Artichoke Dip was also a favorite, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on their menu!
They also offer a breakfast menu, so be sure to fuel up with a savory omelet or breakfast burrito the next morning before heading out on your adventures!
Other places to eat in Bluff:
- Twin Rocks Cafe: Twin Rocks Cafe is known for serving the best Navajo Fry Bread around! Enjoy traditional and local dishes on the outdoor patio in the shadow of the towering twin rocks. Be sure to stop in at the Twin Rocks Trading Post as well.
- Dukes: Duke’s is located at the Desert Rose Resort and specializes in elevated Southwestern cuisine. Try the Cauliflower Soup and Wild Mushroom Ravioli!
- Comb Ridge Eat & Drink: This isn’t just your average burger joint. These specialty burgers are made with locally raised grass-fed beef and served on toasted brioche buns. Try the Bacon Guac burger!
Best things to do in Bluff, Utah
Hike the Cliffside Trail
After dinner, enjoy a beautiful sunset hike along the Cliffside Trail.
The trail is located just behind the Bluff Dwellings Resort. This relatively short trail consists of a series of switchbacks leading up the cliffs to a beautiful lookout point.
You’ll find two sets of ladders towards the top to assist you up the cliffs.
Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over the resort and the surrounding town of Bluff.
It is the perfect spot to catch the sun setting behind the towering 200-foot sandstone cliffs.
*Related post: for another one of Utah’s best kept secrets, check out our guide to visiting Utah’s Pink Lake!
Book a river tour with Wild Expeditions
The next morning, embark on one of several tours offered through Wild Expeditions in partnership with Bluff Dwellings Resort.
We booked the San Juan River & Hummer Cliff Dwelling Expedition and would highly recommend it!
The 6-hour tour has a little bit of everything, beauty, history, and adventure!
The shuttle departs from the Bluff Dwellings resort at 9 am and takes you to the banks of the San Juan River.
Here you’ll climb aboard a raft or a kayak, depending on what you booked while making the reservation.
While the river is relatively calm, the rafts tend to be more sturdy so I would recommend reserving a raft if you have younger kids.
Dry bags are also provided to keep your phones, keys, cameras, and any other valuables dry while on the river.
The river portion of the tour consists of a 6 1/2 mile paddle down the San Juan River.
The river is lined with swaying cottonwoods and aromatic Russian olive trees, and is punctuated with sandstone cliffs.
It is such a serene and peaceful setting, and chances are that you’ll be the only ones on the river.
While paddling along, your guide will share the rich history of the area that was once home to the Paiutes, Utes, and Navajo tribes.
They’ll also point out petroglyphs and moki steps that can be seen from the river.
Moki steps are hand and footholds that have been carved into the sandstone by the Ancestral Puebloans to help them scale up the cliffsides.
About halfway down the river, you’ll pull over for a snack break. Snacks and drinks are provided for you to enjoy under the shade of cottonwood trees.
After the break, you’ll get a chance to check out the Butler Wash Petroglyph Panel.
The Butler Wash Petroglyph Panel is located a short walk from the river bank where you’ll find an impressive collection of detailed petroglyphs.
The petroglyphs span about a mile along the cliffs and are truly remarkable!
Your guide will share more history as you walk along viewing the panel before loading back onto the boats.
After finishing the 6 1/2 mile river paddle, you’ll meet up with the Hummer guide where you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at the most beautiful picnic location.
We were served pita sandwiches, fruits, veggies, chips, drinks, and homemade chocolate chip cookies. It was filling and tasty!
After everyone is finished eating and the gear is loaded up, the adventure begins!
The Hummer will crawl up and over the rocks before reaching the River House Ruins.
These remote Anasazi ruins date back to around 900-1200 BC and were home to about 40 people. The ruins have been reconstructed twice in order to preserve the original structure.
It is such an incredible experience to see these ruins up close without any crowds. Just be sure to not climb on the walls or enter the structure.
The rest of the Hummer ride back is equal parts beauty and adventure as you bounce along the primitive road while making your way back to the Bluff Dwellings Resort.
*Related post: If you like outdoor adventures, be sure to check out our guide to Moab, Utah!
Here is a link to the other tours that are offered through Wild Expeditions if you are interested.
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Other things to do in Bluff
Depending on how much time you have to spend in Bluff, here are a few more things to do in and around Bluff, Utah during your weekend getaway:
- Comb Ridge: Comb Ridge is an 80-mile-long monocline that was formed 60 million years ago from an ancient fault line slip. The area is filled with other remote ruins and petroglyphs in addition to the ones you’ll visit on the tour. Click the link for hiking trails and directions.
- Bluff Historic Site: The Bluff Historic Site is located right in town at the original Bluff Fort site. Here you’ll find both original structures and replicas that allow visitors to experience what life was like as an early pioneer.
- Pioneer Cemetery: The historic pioneer cemetery is located on a hill near the Twin Rocks Trading Post. Here you’ll find graves dating back to the 1800s and beautiful views.
- Bears Ears Education Center: Bears Ears has recently been designated as a national monument. It encompasses 1.36 million acres and is regarded as one of the most extensive archeological areas in the world. Bluff is considered the gateway to Bears Ears National Monument, so be sure to stop by the Bears Ears Education Center for information on places to go and things to do in the area.
- House on Fire Ruins: The House on Fire ruins are located near Blanding about 45 minutes northwest of Bluff. These unique ruins are characterized by a textured fiery red overhang that resembles flames coming out of the roof.
- Monument Valley: Monument Valley is located about an hour south of Bluff and is well worth a stop. Be sure to drive the 17-mile scenic road through towering buttes and mesas on a guided or self-guided tour. See our Complete Guide to Visiting Monument Valley for more information.
I hope you enjoy discovering the untouched beauty in Bluff, Utah. It truly is a hidden gem and the perfect weekend escape!
And if you’re looking for a few more hidden gems in Utah, check out these guides:
- Kanab: Southern Utah’s Best Kept Secret
- Lower Pine Creek Falls: Zion’s Hidden Waterfall
- Sanpete County: A Utah Hidden Gem
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[…] *Related post: for another unique place to stay in Southern Utah, check out our guide A Weekend Getaway in Bluff Utah! […]