Visiting Anasazi State Park Museum, Utah

The main thing to do when visiting Anasazi State Park Museum is to explore the Puebloan ruins.

When looking at a list of Utah State Parks, you’ll find this one only spans a whopping six acres. A quick Google search shows a single .2 mile hiking trail – really, a walking path.

puebloan ruin at Anasazi State Park Utah

This little spot in Boulder, Utah is much more reminiscent of a museum than a typical state park.

Anasazi State Park offers an exciting glimpse into the past and is well worth a visit if you’re in the area. Over a thousand years ago, this spot was home to one of the largest known populations of the ancestral Pueblo people – and now, it’s a spot where you can learn all about how these Native Americans lived.

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Why Visit Anasazi State Park Museum?

Anasazi State Park is one of those places to visit in Utah for anyone who enjoys learning about history. This area is rich with Native American history, but you’ll learn all about the Anasazi community that lived in the area. Archaeologists have unearthed more than 100 buildings and even more artifacts that shed some light on how the community’s inhabitants used to live.

The museum itself is filled with all kinds of historic items on display, including pottery and arrowheads, as well as informational exhibits about the people who used to call this place home. Take a quick walk down the path outside the museum building, and you’ll find some actual ruins from the settlement.

Things to See and Do at Anasazi State Park

The Anasazi State Park Museum is definitely the biggest draw to the park. There’s a lot to learn, especially if you aren’t too familiar with the people who used to inhabit these lands, and it’s interesting to see the actual ruins of the former structures.

Beyond that, it’s a great spot to enjoy a quick lunch! You’re welcome to pack a picnic to enjoy at the picnic tables outside the museum. However, if you’d rather grab something on the go, you can order something from Magnolia’s – the food truck that’s become a permanent installation at the museum!

They’re serving up breakfast and lunch in the parking lot seven days a week from their school-bus-turned-food-truck. The menu includes everything from breakfast burritos and tacos to soups and salads, and they focus on sourcing local, seasonal ingredients.

Best Things to See and Do Near Anasazi State Park

Once you’re finished experiencing Anasazi State Park, you don’t have to turn around and head home. In fact, there’s quite a bit to see and do in the surrounding area. Consider adding a few of these to your itinerary, and you’ll be glad you stayed!

Enjoy the Views from Scenic Byway 12

Utah’s Scenic Byway 12 is a 122-mile road known for its incredible views and is well worth the drive – and Anasazi State Park is right off of the road!

Drive the route from beginning to end, and you’ll witness some of America’s most beautiful landscapes. Start the drive near Panguitch going through Red Canyon, and end in Torrey near Capitol Reef!

You’ll see forests, meadows, stunning rock formations, deep canyons, and everything in between – and there are plenty of spots to pull off and admire the scenery.

Go Off-roading on the Burr Trail

The Burr Trail is a 67-mile long off-road trail that connects Boulder and Bullfrog Marina. All dirt and gravel, this unpaved road isn’t a wise choice for some – but if you’ve got a capable vehicle and the courage to make the trip, you’ll be rewarded.

This trail offers some truly spectacular sights, including mountains, canyons, and desert vistas. There are spots to stop and picnic, hike, and even camp, if you’d like to extend your journey overnight.

Just make sure you come prepared – you won’t find a gas station or a rest stop along this rugged journey, and you probably won’t get any cell phone signal, so bring plenty of water, food, and fuel to get you from one end to another.

Lower Calf Creek Falls near Escalante Utah

Go for a Hike near Boulder, Utah

While there aren’t any hikes within Anasazi State Park, there are plenty of options to hit the trails only a quick drive away. Options include:

Upper Calf Creek Trail, a moderate hike just over two miles in length that’ll take you straight up to a small pool with a waterfall. Most websites rate this hike as moderate, but the steep incline can make it a little more challenging than most – especially if you aren’t used to hiking at elevation.
Lower Calf Creek Falls Trail is a bit more challenging than the upper. You’ll track almost seven miles roundtrip as you trek out and back to a stunning waterfall – more impressive than the one you’ll find at Upper Calf Creek Trail, but harder to get to. You’ll be treated to beautiful views along the way and plenty of spots to stop and snap a few photos.

Hoodoos-Bryce-Canyon-National-Park-Utah-Photo-Jeepers

Visit Another State or National Park

Anasazi State Park is fairly close to a handful of other destinations worth exploring in Utah, including:

Bryce Canyon National Park. This state park is a well-loved favorite for locals and tourists alike, and it’s only an hour and a half by car from Anasazi State Park. You can easily spend a couple of days here camping, hiking, biking, and exploring this stunning landscape.
Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, which is less than an hour away. This state park offers hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and other outdoor activities among the unique landscape of fossilized trees.
Kodachrome Basin State Park is a stunning, scenic park with plenty to see and do. The interesting rock formations make this park a great spot for amateur and professional photographers alike, and the park’s many trails and scenic viewpoints make it easy to admire the natural beauty found here.