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Bluff is a friendly small town in southeastern Utah near several natural attractions and a few historical sites.
Introduction to Bluff, Utah
While the area was first settled by Native Americans around 650, modern Bluff was founded on April 6, 1880, by Mormon settlers on the San Juan Expedition. They were led by Silas S. Smith (1830-1910), John Taylor (1808-1887), and Jens Nielson (1821-1906). The group traveled over 200 miles through difficult terrain and had to pass through the infamous Hole in the Rock, which is now located within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. The settlers named the town for the bluffs in the area.
The town experienced a population boom in the 1950s due to a uranium prospecting boom it declined in the 1970s. It was officially incorporated on August 31, 2018.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, Bluff makes a great base for visiting nearby natural and historical attractions. Goosenecks State Park, Valley of the Gods, Bears Ears National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument are all within a short drive. For more information on Bears Ears, you can visit the Bears Ears Education Center, which opened in 2016.
Where to Stay in Bluff
We spent one night in Bluff and enjoyed our short stay.
Kokopelli Inn
We stayed at the Kokopelli Inn, a small hotel with comfortable rooms and a simple breakfast. It was a decent place to stay.
Where to Eat in Bluff
We only had one meal in town.
Twin Rocks Café
We had lunch at the Twin Rocks Café, which is located underneath the Navajo Twins. It’s attached to the Twin Rocks Trading Post. I had the Navajo chili which was delicious. Overall, service was friendly but a bit slow, and the prices were fair.
Navajo Twins
The Navajo Twins are a famous rock formation on the east end of town. They’re associated with the Navajo myth of the Hero Twins, Monster Slayer and Born-of-Water. The twins were born in a time of chaos and represent diplomacy and peace. The formation is sacred to some Navajo people.
Bluff Fort
Bluff Fort is a recreation of the town’s first settlement. The original “fort” consisted of several inward facing cabins. Admission is free (as of October 2025) and it’s open daily. Visitors are welcome to roam around the grounds off-hours when the buildings are closed.
Bluff Fort Visitor Center
First is the visitor center and gift shop. It’s a replica of the pioneers’ co-operative store built in the 1890s. The building houses a gift shop and you can also watch a great video about the struggle to reach Bluff. It focused mainly on the positive attitude of the pioneers who took part in an expedition that was planned for six weeks but instead took six months.
The second floor of the original co-op was used as a dance hall. Today, It contains excellent displays about the pioneers and their lives in Bluff.
The Grounds of Bluff Fort
On the grounds outside the visitor center, you’ll find a bakery, a kid’s play area, an interactive gold panning display, and a water wheel. Replica cabins and a few historic structures line the perimeter.
Next to the visitor center are replica handcarts much like the ones Mormon pioneers would have used. An original wagon that traveled on the Hole in the Rock Trail is also on display. You can even climb into a covered wagon for a photo op.
Monuments
In the center of the grounds are a few monuments. One tells the history of Fort Montezuma, which was established on April 13, 1879, 13 ½ miles east of Bluff. It lists the names of the pioneers who took part in the scouting party led by Silas S. Smith.
A statue depicts John Taylor (1808-1887), the third president of the LDS Church who called for the settlement of Bluff to be established.
The largest monument is dedicated to the pioneers of the San Juan Expedition. It lists the names of those who took part and settled Bluff.
Native American Homes
Directly across from the visitor center is a Ute tepee and Navajo hogan. They represent the traditional living quarters of the local Native Americans. The hogan is made of cedar logs covered in mud, which keeps the inside cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Replica Pioneer Cabins
Originally, Bluff Fort consisted of 50 log cabins arranged in a square. Today, you’ll find 14 replica cabins. Each represents one of the pioneer families that settled in Bluff. Inside are personal artifacts donated by their descendants, a family history, and photos.
Butt, Wood, and Jones/Mackelprang Cabins
Starting in a clockwise direction, first is the Butt Family Cabin. It’s dedicated to Parley Butt (1862-1940), his wife Ency Camilla Bayles (1864-1897), and their several children.
Next are the Samuel Wood and F.I. Jones and Mackelprang Cabins. The Holyoak Family Wagon Encampment is directly across.
Walton, Bayles, and Decker Cabins
The Walton Family Cabin is set up as a schoolroom, as Charles Walton served as the schoolteacher at Bluff Fort. Next door is the Bayles Family Cabin, and rounding the corner is the Decker Cabin, which is dedicated to the six Decker families who made the Hole in the Rock journey together.
Nielson, Hobbs, and Haskell Cabins
The tour continues with the Nielson Cabin, which honors Jens Nielson, one of the leaders of the pioneers. The Hobbs Cabin, dedicated to George B. Hobbs, and Haskell Family Cabin are next . Thales Haskell spoke a handful of Native American languages, making his skills invaluable to the settlers.
Amasa Barton Blacksmith Shop
At the corner is the Amasa Barton Blacksmith Shop. Barton (1857-1887), who was instrumental in the success of the expedition, was killed in a conflict nine miles west of Bluff.
Redd, Lyman, and Perkins Cabins
Rounding the corner are the James Redd and Lemuel H. Redd Cabins. At the end of the row you’ll find the Lyman and Perkins Family Cabins. Platte D. Lyman was the assistant leader of the trek who kept an almost daily journal. Hyrum and Benjamin Perkins, originally from Wales, were key engineers.
Barton Family Cabin
The only original cabin is the Joseph Barton Cabin, which is between the Lemuel H. Redd and Lyman Family Cabins. It gives a good insight into how the cabins were built, with cottonwood logs and a dirt thatched roof. The cabin was built by Joseph Barton and his wife, Harriet Ann Richards (1855-1896)
Kumen Jones Home
The Kumen Jones Home is on the corner of the fort. This elegant Victorian brick home was built in the 1890s and burned down in 1975. It has since been partially restored, but during my visit it was still in ruins.
Meeting House
Finally, to complete the circle is a replica of the Meeting House. After meeting under trees for quite some time, the residents got together to build a proper meeting house. It also served as a school, courthouse, and community center. It’s built out of cottonwood logs just like the original.
Jens Nielson House
Across the street from Bluff Fort is the Jens Nielson House. Nielson (1821-1906) was an immigrant from Denmark and an important leader on the Hole in the Rock Expedition. He also served as the first Mormon bishop of Bluff for 26 years.
Bluff Great House
The Bluff Great House is an archaeological site overlooking the town. It was an Ancestral Puebloan great house constructed between 1075 and 1150 and abandoned around 1250. It contained about 60 rooms with four kivas and one great kiva, and is much like the ones found at Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico. The site was partially excavated between 1996 and 2004.
All that remains of the Bluff Great House is the great kiva, which is now about six feet underground. It was used as a community center for ceremonies and meetings. It’s now covered by a simple shed and it’s possible to go inside. An interpretive panel gives more information about the kiva and the entire site.
The Bluff Great House sat on a hill above what is now the town of Bluff. You can get some nice views of the town and surrounding area from the site.
The archaeological site sits along Pioneer Road. If you follow the road all the way to the end, you can look down Calf Canyon.
