Cedar Mesa is a high sandstone plateau west of Blanding, cut by a series of canyons that shelter one of the highest concentrations of Ancestral Puebloan ruins anywhere in the Southwest. The sites range from single granaries perched on ledges to multi-room cliff dwellings tucked under sandstone overhangs; the most significant are found in Grand Gulch and its tributaries. The BLM estimates there are more than 500 recorded sites in the area, and surveys continue to find new ones.
Access to Cedar Mesa is via US-95 west of Blanding, with trailheads at Kane Gulch (the main Grand Gulch entry), Bullet Canyon, and several other points. A permit is required for overnight stays in Grand Gulch and some other drainages; day use is currently (as of 2024) free. The plateau is high desert — carry more water than you think you need, especially in summer, and be aware that afternoon thunderstorms in July and August can make canyon hiking dangerous. The rewards are commensurate with the effort.