7 Ideal Colorado Plateau Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2024

Straddling four states, the Colorado Plateau is a distinct geographical region in the southeastern United States where Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico meet. Deep canyons, rocky gorges, high deserts, and jagged peaks are the hallmarks of this unique area, which welcomes more than 40 million visitors a year. If you’re planning a weekend away, this dynamic region has everything — jaw-dropping natural sights, outdoor adventure, historical attractions, cultural landmarks, and welcoming small towns. Spend a three-day weekend exploring the Colorado Plateau from these cozy communities nestled in its breathtaking landscape.

Moab, Utah

Surrounded by red rocks, desert plains, and the dazzling scenery of the Colorado River, visiting Moab is like stepping into another world. Located between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, the town is the ideal destination for an outdoorsy weekend of rock climbing, hiking, or biking. If you’re looking for a more unique form of transport, try horseback riding along the many trails around Moab, including Ken’s Lake Trail to the south and Seven Mile Trail to the north. Or take to the skies and enjoy an experience you’ll never forget, soaring above the canyons in a hot air balloon with Redrock Ballooning.

Since you have a few days in town, mix it up and take a break from the great outdoors with a trip to the fascinating Moab Arts & Recreation Center. Housed in a former church built in 1925, this unique space is now a center for art classes, special events, and exhibits. If you’re starting your weekend early, you’re in luck. Moab hosts free concerts on Fridays throughout the summer at Swanny City Park downtown. And if you’re in town on the last two weekends in August or the first two weekends in September, you’ll catch the 2024 Moab Music Festival, which runs August 24 - September 14.

After all that adventure and art, you’ll need the perfect place to rest. The Sunflower Hill Inn, just three blocks from the center of town, is the ideal home away from home. A beautiful historic home, this inviting inn includes a pool and spa, an outdoor dining area, and luxurious rooms with balconies or private decks.

Holbrook, Arizona

The Wild West comes alive in Holbrook, a small town in the Arizona badlands also known as the painted desert. Stroll around downtown and you’ll feel like a cowboy on the trail, quenching your thirst at the Bucket of Blood Saloon and visiting the historic Blevins House where a dramatic shootout occurred in 1887 as Sheriff Commodore Perry Owens gunned down the notorious Blevins Brothers.

Outside of town, it’s just a short drive to the Petrified Forest National Park, a stunning area of ancient beauty, history, and heritage. The Park contains exhibits of prehistoric animal skeletons, the remains of a 600-year-old Ancestral Puebloan site, and numerous scenic viewpoints that look out over the wild beauty of the painted desert. Stop by the two visitor centers, the Painted Desert Visitor Center on the north side and the Rainbow Forest Museum to the south, to find out more and pick up trail maps.

After all that exploring, sleep under the stars in truly unique lodging. Holbrook is one of the few places where you can book a room…in a wigwam. The Wigwam Motel on old Route 66 on the outskirts of Holbrook offers cozy and comfortable double and queen rooms in its classic Wigwam village.

Bluff, Utah

The Ancestral Puebloans were the first inhabitants of Bluff, a settlement on the San Juan River that can be traced back 13,000 years. The town takes its name from the striking sandstone bluffs along the nearby Trail of the Ancients Scenic byway, which begins in Bluff and meanders 120 miles through Bear Ears County.

While you’re in town, visit the Bears Ears National Monument, a stunning 1.36 million acre park containing dramatic rock formations, historic cliff dwellings, and rock art. The Bears Ears Education Center is a great starting point for getting to know the history and heritage of this site, which is considered sacred to many Indigenous tribes.

Back in town, explore Bluff Fort Historic Site, which gives a glimpse of early pioneer life in the 1800s and the first Mormon settlers who made the tough journey to the town. Get a taste of the pioneer life at the Bluff Gardens Cabins, a cluster of fully furnished, quaint, and comfortable cabins set amid the dramatic red rock landscape Bluff is known for.

Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is the perfect blend of ancient and modern with timeless natural beauty surrounding the town and a thriving downtown core where visitors can shop, dine, and stroll the bustling streets.

Visit on the Friday of the month to see the town come alive for First Fridays in the Galleries, featuring artist demonstrations, gallery exhibits, delicious eats, wine tastings, and live music. Stop by the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village to pick up a one-of-a-kind souvenir of Mexican art and keep the artistic theme going with a stay at the El Portal Sedona Hotel, an artistic boutique inn with unique, antique furnishings and quirky touches such as hand-sculptured niches, vaulted wooden ceilings, and river rock fireplaces.

Telluride, Colorado

Telluride is a charming alpine town tucked into the mountains in the southwestern corner of Colorado. This former mining town is one of only five communities in the state designated a National Historic Landmark District, thanks to its historically significant architecture. In the winter, Telluride is one of America’s most popular ski destinations. In the summer, it’s buzzing with hikers and climbers. It’s also the perfect place to unwind on a long weekend with several relaxing hot springs nearby, including Dunton Hot Springs — a scenic alpine bathing pool located in an 1800s ghost town.

Telluride is a great destination for nature lovers, but it’s also a big draw for music fans. Plan your 2024 trip on the second weekend in August to catch the Telluride Jazz Festival, or visit September 13-15 to see the legendary Telluride Blue and Brews Festival. Stay in the heart of Telluride’s busy downtown at The Hotel Telluride, a boutique 59-room chalet with a European feel and gorgeous views of the San Juan Mountains.

Gallup, New Mexico

A landmark stop on Route 66, Gallup is a small town in New Mexico where Native American heritage and outdoor adventure meet. Known as the ‘gateway to Native America,’ Gallup is heavily influenced by its rich Indigenous heritage, which you can see in the many murals dotted around town. Visit the Gallup Cultural Center and the Red Rock Park Museum to see original Native American art and learn about the many tribes who lived in the area, from the Ancestral Puebloans through to the present-day Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo.

Gallup is also a great base camp for exploring Red Rock Park, a 640 acre park featuring red sandstone cliffs, and hiking trails that wind around must-see landmarks including Pyramid Rock and Church Rock.The Red Rock Park Museum contains an impressive array of Anasazi and Navajo artifacts, jewelry, rugs, and pottery.

Book a room at the historic El Rancho Hotel to put the finishing touches on your weekend in Gallup. A Route 66 legend, dozens of classic movie stars have passed through the doors of this unique hotel, including John Wayne, Katherine Hepburn, and Humphrey Bogart. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel is one of the most iconic accommodations in the southwest.

Williams, Arizona

Known as Arizona’s gateway to the Grand Canyon, Williams is a charming small town in the state’s high country along Route 66. Located to the south of the Grand Canyon, one of the best ways to see this natural wonder is by train. In operation since 1901, the Grand Canyon Railway offers a two-and-a-half-hour scenic journey from Williams to the South Rim of the canyon, with breathtaking views of the desert landscape along the way. Once you’ve explored the Grand Canyon’s incredible views and trails, head back into town to visit the Grand Canyon Deer Farm. This beautiful retreat is home to deer, elk, llamas, bison, camels, and wallabies and is a must-see stop for animal lovers. See more wildlife at the Bearizona Wildlife Park, a conservation retreat where animals like bears and wolves roam their natural habitat.

One of Williams’ more unique attractions is the signature Route 66 Museum and Gift Shop, housed in a classic 50s filling station. Packed with quirky memorabilia, this is a great place to pick up an unusual souvenir. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay on Route 66, check out the Buffalo Pointe Inn, a 1910 home converted into a welcoming bed and breakfast just steps from the Grand Canyon Railway.

Unwind & Explore With a Long Weekend on the Colorado Plateau

Ballooning above the desert, hiking centuries-old gorges, listening to jazz in the mountains, browsing Navajo art, cruising Route 66, and rafting the canyons — a three-day weekend in these Colorado Plateau towns is a vacation you’ll never forget. Follow in the footsteps of ancient tribes, prehistoric farmers, Wild West cowboys, and Americana road trippers in one of the wildest areas on the planet. The Colorado Plateau isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience.