Cedar Mesa and Muley Point near Bears Ears National Monument, Utah, United States
© Jeff Clay/Tandem Stills + Motio
Bears Ears National Monument, Utah, United States
What do a bear's ears, a house on fire and a road packed with hairpin turns have in common? They're all part of the story of America's public lands in southeastern Utah. Bears Ears National Monument protects important cultural and natural resources, including archaeological sites that reflect thousands of years of human history. Its name comes from two buttes that rise side by side and resemble a bear's ears.
Much of the monument sits on Cedar Mesa, which rises to roughly 1,980 metres and is carved by deep canyons. Grand Gulch is particularly significant for its archaeological sites, while Mule Canyon is home to House on Fire, where sandstone walls can glow orange in the morning light. For sweeping views, Muley Point looks across the San Juan River, Valley of the Gods, Monument Valley and Navajo Mountain. Getting there can be an adventure too: the steep, unpaved Moki Dugway climbs the mesa through a series of dramatic switchbacks.
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