San Juan is brimming with natural treasures

Tucked away, deep in the southeastern corner of the state, are some of Utah's most extraordinary historic markers, some dating back millions of years and some linked to Utah's more recent past.

And all are located within the boundaries of one county — San Juan.

This calendar of time can start with Canyonlands National Park and Natural Bridges National Monument and can race forward to more recent recordings such as Hovenweep National Monument and the early American writings on Newspaper Rock.

What you know:

While there are many wonders in San Juan County, none is more recognized than one Utah shares with Arizona — Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Its past goes back to the Anasazis, who left the area in the 1300s. It would later become the most famous area within the Navajo Tribal Lands.

The valley, which covers about 30,000 acres, is at the northern edge of the Navajo lands.

There, erosion has created fantastic rock structures of red and orange sandstone mesas, buttes, cliffs, canyons and gullies that have served as the setting for numerous movies, including "Stagecoach," directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, along with "My Darling Clementine," "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," "Fort Apache," "The Searchers" and many others that would follow.

It is recommended that those visiting the monument take a tour. Not only does the tour go into areas off limits to other visitors, but guides can explain local customs, legends and history.

Canyonlands is yet another of the known landmarks within the county. Incredibly rugged, immensely beautiful, Canyonlands is a favorite these days, especially with those looking for a back-country experience.

Actually, Canyonlands is cut into three pieces by the Y-shaped meeting of the Colorado and Green rivers. In the center is the Island in the Sky district, a broad plateau rising above surrounding canyons. To the right is the Needles district, an area filled with standing rock figures. To the left is the Maze district, the wildest of the areas filled with carved canyons and detached rock figures.

It is a park with some highway views and paved turnouts for visitors, but most of its features can be reached only by hiking trails and back-country roads. Four-wheeling is the most popular means of travel within the park. These days, too, there is a sharp increase in biking interests, especially so in the spring and fall.