Hanksville to Bluff, Utah – 3 October 2025

Bluff, Utah — A Quiet Base for Big Adventures

Bluff, Utah may be small, but it holds a big place in the story of the American West. Across the road from our RV park — the Cadillac Ranch RV Park — we discovered Bluff Fort, a fully reconstructed pioneer settlement complete with rustic cabins, a church, wagons, and even a working waterwheel. Walking through the fort gave us a glimpse into the lives of the Mormon pioneers who crossed this rugged land in wagons to settle here. The volunteer hosts were incredibly welcoming, and after exploring we treated ourselves to old-fashioned Coke floats while watching a film about their remarkable journey.

One of the main reasons we based ourselves in Bluff was its perfect proximity to Monument Valley. I had a fun photo idea in mind: Derek channeling Forrest Gump—running up the highway with the famous Monument Valley skyline behind him. On the way, we stopped at the iconic Mexican Hat rock formation. We briefly considered hiking up, but the strong winds and narrow trail quickly convinced us otherwise.

From Monument Valley, we continued to Goosenecks State Park, where the San Juan River twists and turns through deep canyons—creating dramatic bends known as “goosenecks.” We were surprised to see how many RVers were camped right along the canyon edge, taking full advantage of the incredible views. After a short walk along the rim, we headed back toward Bluff. That’s when I felt the first sharp twinge in my lower back — a reminder that sometimes even small adventures demand a little caution.

The next morning, we drove to Monticello Lake, about an hour and a half from Bluff. Derek was preparing to pace Simon Lanoix in the Moab 240 (a non-stop, 385 km ultramarathon endurance race!), so he wanted to test his section of the route and clock his pace. I dropped him off at the lake and returned a few hours later at a second trail access point, only to find a very tired Derek who had underestimated the amount of uphill involved. Meanwhile, my back was far from amused after all the driving. The first thing I did when we returned home was strap on my back brace and promise myself a little more rest and a little less adrenaline — at least for a couple of days!

Bluff may be quiet, but it’s an ideal jumping-off point for exploring some of Utah’s most spectacular landscapes — even if your back decides to rebel along the way.