National monuments are places that you simply must see. If you are wondering what they are; a national monument is similar to a national park. The key difference is that national monuments are declared by the president, who can do so without the approval of congress (who declare national parks). The idea was introduced by President Teddy Roosevelt, who declared Devil’s Tower in Wyoming the first National Monument in 1906. Utah is home to seven such national monuments that are well worth exploring.
- Cedar Breaks
Cedar Breaks was established in 1933 and is a must for anyone interested in Wolf Creek real estate. It offers incredible views of the Colorado Plateau. This natural amphitheater stretches on for over three miles and is over 20,000 feet deep. This makes for one of the more colorful national monuments in Utah as erosion has unveiled the limestone foundations to create over 50 shades of colors for visitors to enjoy.
- Dinosaur
Dinosaur National Monument was designated in 1915 to preserve a site of dinosaur fossils, hence the name. While most of the monument is actually in Colorado, the Dinosaur Quarry itself is in Utah. A must for dinosaur enthusiasts checking out Ogden Utah real estate.
- The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
This national monument was established by President Bill Clinton in 1996. The announcement was somewhat controversial as the monument covers 1.7 million acres of Utah. It was the first monument to be administered by the Bureau of Land Management and it features a diverse geologic makeup including buttes, canyons, pinnacles, and plateaus. Be careful visiting here when checking out Eden Utah real estate because the area can prove deadly to the unprepared!
- Hovenweep
The Hovenweep national monument offers protection to prehistoric Native American ruins. The villages in the ruins date back all the way to the 13th century and cover a 20-mile area along the border between Utah and Colorado. The architecture is incredible, but it’s still a mystery as to why the builders chose somewhere so remote to live.
- Natural Bridges National Monument
The Natural Bridges covers three bridges across a relatively small area. The site preserves classic examples of natural architecture. The bridges were formed when the streams slowly eroded the canyon walls to create the bridges.
- Rainbow Bridge
It may not go to Valhalla but this real-life Rainbow Bridge is considered the largest natural bridge in the world. It covers 234 feet, is 42 feet thick, and 33 feet wide. The bridge was considered sacred by American Indian Tribes and some 300,000 people visit the site each year.
- Timpanogos Cave
Last but not least for Huntsville real estate enthusiasts we have Timpanogos Cave. The cave is an American Fork Canyon within the Wasatch Mountains. The cave system has three caverns offering stunning views of anthodites and helictites, among others. The hike to the cave entrance is over 1,000 feet, but the views of the American Fork Canyon make it worth the effort.
