San Juan County

San Juan County is an administrative region in southeastern Utah covering desert plateaus, forested areas, and river valleys shaped by water and time. Its terrain displays layered rock formations, deep canyons, and varied landscapes across the county's expanse.

The region became a county in 1880, taking its name from the San Juan River discovered by Spanish explorers in the 1700s. This early connection between European contact and the river shaped settlement patterns that followed.

Navajo and Ute peoples have deep roots here, with their artwork, sacred sites, and ceremonies woven throughout the landscape today. Their influence shapes how people experience and understand this region.

Monticello serves as the main administrative hub and is accessed via U.S. Route 191, which runs north to south through the area. When exploring the region, plan travel to specific natural areas separately as they require different access routes.

Monument Valley, Canyonlands National Park, and Natural Bridges National Monument occupy parts of this region, creating an unusual clustering of protected natural areas. Few places in the country hold this many significant designated landscapes within a single county.

Location: Utah

Inception: 1880

Capital city: Monticello

Shares border with: Grand County, Mesa County, Montrose County, San Miguel County, Dolores County, Montezuma County, San Juan County, Apache County, Navajo County, Coconino County, Kane County, Garfield County, Wayne County, Emery County

Website: http://sanjuancounty.org

GPS coordinates: 37.63000,-109.81000

Latest update: December 15, 2025 04:05