The Annular Solar Eclipse is on October 14th, 2023 - and the path is going through San Juan County!
Above photos are used with permission by GreatAmericanEclipse.com
This means Bears Ears National Monument (BENM) is expecting to experience an increase in visitation the weeks leading up to the eclipse and a few days after. The county, surrounding Indigenous communities, and Bluff will be the most impacted, and it’s important you’re aware of the impact you have on the Bears Ears landscape.
Whether you’re dispersed camping the night before the eclipse or planning on viewing it somewhere in the monument, please always follow our Visit With Respect guidelines.
When people invite you into their home, it’s only right to be respectful.
As we welcome you into Southeastern Utah - home of Bears Ears National Monument - please be respectful of the environment, the land, and all the beauty it encompasses. Enjoy the eclipse, but be respectful of the communities, Tribes, cultures, and most importantly, the living landscape.
What does Visit With Respect have to do with the Eclipse?
Local Indigenous Tribes have traditional beliefs and deep-rooted practices surrounding the eclipse. They differ from Tribe to Tribe, but they all have sensitive and spiritual meanings pertaining to the eclipse.
Bears Ears National Monument is considered a sacred region because many Tribes and Pueblos trace their lineage and cultures to this landscape. When planning to view the eclipse from an area within the monument, be conscious of traditional beliefs and cultural sensitivities.
Tribes and Pueblos believe that Bears Ears is more than a “monument” because to them, the earth is a sacred, living landscape. The land, the plants, the soil, the animals, the sky, and the water are all interconnected. There is life everywhere and in everything. What is taken from the earth must be honored through prayer, song, ceremony, or reciprocated by leaving an offering behind.
Land Awareness
Bears Ears is the ancestral homelands to many Indigenous people, and it’s good to know where the White Mesa Ute and Navajo Nation boundaries are located. The San Juan River separates Navajo and Utah state lands, and the border of the White Mesa Ute lands have signs in White Mesa letting you know when you’ve entered and left.
You’re not allowed to disperse camp within Tribal Nation boundaries. Keep in mind when you’re on Indigenous lands, what may seem like a dirt road is actually a road leading to someone’s home and property.
When camping overnight, keep in mind that you can’t park anywhere. We suggest you instead refer to the BLM Monticello Utah website and find out where you can camp or disperse camp.
Where to find more eclipse information about bears ears national monument
Be sure to stop by the Bears Ears Education Center (BEEC) to find out more information about the monument, the history of the land, and how you can do your part to Visit With Respect.
If you’re planning to view the eclipse from Bears Ears National Monument, please refer to the San Juan County tourism office and the Town of Bluff’s websites. They have information about camping, hotels, grocery stores, hospitals, and many other logistics you might need to plan for when you’re in a region where there’s limited services.
It’s best to Know Before You Go so please plan accordingly if you plan to view the solar annular eclipse from Bears Ears National Monument. The Town of Bluff created Eclipse Tips - a booklet containing all the important information that you’ll need to know when you begin planning your trip.
