Blanding is a relatively remote community in southern Utah
Surrounded by expansive desert landscapes, Blanding is a fairly remote community around 20 miles north of the Navajo Nation. “People coming up from the south after being in the desert, they always say it’s really nice to see a community with green grass and shade trees,” says Lynne Shumway, an employee with Blanding Visitor’s Center and a resident of Blanding for more than 47 years. “We’re the biggest town for quite a ways, and we’re still not that big.” Originally occupied by indigenous Navajo and Ute tribes, Mormons formally settled Blanding in the late 19th century. Indigenous cultures still have a strong impact on the community, and there are several historical sites in the area, including ancestral Pueblo villages. Retail and dining options are more limited, and larger towns are more than 80 miles away.
Homes with minimalist architecture and drought-resistant gardens
Bungalows, ranch-style homes and duplexes, mostly built between 1930 and 1970, often feature minimalist architecture and gardens of low-water plantings. There’s a relatively even mix of properties with grass lawns and those without. Those with grass may require extra maintenance since San Juan County often experiences moderate to severe drought conditions. Prices typically range from $300,000 to $450,000. Empty lots are available for new construction, usually ranging from $50,000 to $230,000 for a half-acre to 10 acres.
Indoor and outdoor history museums, along with local parks
There are several historic sites within the Blanding area, often depicting artifacts of ancestral Puebloans that occupied the land in pre-colonial eras. Locals can visit the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum to walk through a Puebloan village, inhabited initially from 825 to 1225 A.D. The state park also hosts the largest collection of Anasazi pottery in the Four Corners area. In addition to outdoor museums, the Dinosaur Museum has indoor exhibits about prehistoric creatures, and Centennial Park features playgrounds, basketball courts and a skate park. Scenic deserts surround the community, and Arches National Park is about 80 miles away.
Career-focused courses and cultural programs in Blanding schools
Blanding Elementary offers an optional Heritage Language program, where students learn the Navajo language, customs and culture. Albert R Lyman Middle features a journalism program with monthly student-run publications, while San Juan High has career-oriented pathways in agricultural mechanics, veterinary science and aviation. All three schools earn a B-minus from Niche. Utah State University’s Blanding campus offers more than 30 bachelor’s programs in fields like nursing and business.
Locally owned eateries, a grocery store and a few dollar stores
Local businesses in Blanding are mostly concentrated along the highway, including Patio Diner, a vintage eatery serving burgers and other American fare since the 1950s. Homestead Steak House is another locally owned spot offering steak and seafood in a casual setting. “We don’t have a lot of businesses or restaurants, but we have enough to keep our community going,” Shumway says. “We’re kind of in the middle of nowhere, but lots of people like that.” Though retail is more limited, there are several dollar stores and a Clark’s Market grocery store.
Monticello and Cortez offer additional amenities
Located on Route 191, Blanding is the only town for miles. Monticello, another small community, is about 20 miles away, though locals have to travel 80 miles to Cortez for things like chain retailers. The Navajo Nation is over 20 miles south, making it a strong cultural presence. The Blue Mountain Hospital is the area's main medical center. Montrose Regional Airport is the nearest commercial airfield, over 180 miles away.
Annual Fourth of July festivities and fireworks show
Blanding’s annual Fourth of July celebration spans four days with events all across town. Festivities include a chalk art competition, a 5K run and a parade down Main Street. On the fourth, the night ends with a free concert and fireworks show at Centennial Park.
