- Locale: Cedar Mesa
- Time: Half Hour
- Fee: None
This roadside stop with interpretive information provides a great sense of the types of surface and underground structures built by the Ancestral Puebloans 700 years ago. The complex includes an excavated kiva and several surface structures. The pottery found at this site indicates that it was influenced by the Mesa Verde occupation in Southwest Colorado. There are vault toilets available at Mule Canyon Kiva.
Special Considerations
The Mule Canyon Ruin parking lot has a toilet and shaded area, however, be prepared to pack in water and pack out your trash. The site is handicap-accessible.
- Tips For Visiting Here with Respect
Dogs & Archaeology Don’t Mix
To prevent erosion and degradation, dogs are not allowed in or near archeological sites. Always check beforehand if dogs are permitted in an area or region. Remember that many of these sites are culturally significant, so please make sure to leash pets, keep them away from cultural sites, and don’t let them dig.
Guide Children Through Sites
Sacred cultural sites are not playgrounds. Teach children to respect these places so they can share them with future generations and become better stewards of the land. Keep a close eye on them so they don’t get hurt or accidentally damage cultural belongings.
Steer Clear of Ancestral Structures
Structures are spiritually alive and still hold cultural significance to Tribal peoples. When recreating, visitors should refrain from leaning on walls, no matter how solid they look and avoid touching, standing on, or climbing in structures as they can be easily damaged.
- Maps and Directions
- Coordinates: 37.540397, -109.743929
- Directions:
From Blanding: Travel south on Hwy 191 for three miles and take a right onto UT-95 N. Travel west 19.8 miles and look for signs on the right for Mule Canyon Ruin.
From Bluff: Travel north on Hwy 191 for 21 miles. Turn left onto UT-95 N. Travel west 19.8 miles and look for signs on the right for Mule Canyon Ruin.