The San Juan River

The San Juan offers great southwest canyon scenery, and a wealth of historical artifacts, including ‘River House’, a cliff dwelling beside the river and foot-hold routes allowing the ancients to climb the canyon’s near-vertical walls. What the San Juan lacks in white-knuckle whitewater, it more than makes up for in spectacular vistas and exploration opportunities. Be sure to obtain the necessary permits, including from the Navaho Nation, and look but don't touch when visiting any historical site.

Put-In: Sand Island River Access near Bluff

Take-Out: Clay Hills River Access

Miles: 84

Managing Agency: BLM Monticello Field Office

Campsites: San Juan River Campsites

Stories:

  • The San Juan - Lori Major (.pdf)
  • View down onto a pink colored camp site with rafts pulled up on the shore
    The view of a river trip camp in the distance with brown canyon walls rising on either side of the river
    Strange red landscape of extinct volcano
  • Eight Foot Camp
    Honaker Camp
    River House is visible in the distance
  • San Juan River Scenery
    Diatreme Camp
    Ross Camp
  • San Juan River Scenery
    Ross Camp
    Lower Johns Canyon
  • San Juan River Scenery
    Upper Honaker Camp
    San Juan River Scenery
  • San Juan River petro glyphs
    Looking down into the San Juan River Canyon
    San Juan River petro glyphs
  • Dory on the San Juan River
    San Juan River Scenery
    San Juan River Scenery
  • San Juan River rock formation named Mexican Hat
    San Juan River rock formation named Mexican Hat
    Close-up of San Juan River rock formation named Mexican Hat