Bluff Fort Historic Site

Jill Walker

2024-01

Wonderful learning experience for all ages. Tactile and kinesthetic learners can enjoyably experience these historical sites and have meaningful take aways. We are blessed to learn from the triumph and trials of those that came before us. They had such faith. My kids didn't want to leave. The wall of pictures was a fun start to learning from the historical videos of these pioneers.

Joshua Cryar

2024-04

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Anya Paul

2024-04

Stumbled upon this historic site as we stopped in Bluff for gas en route from Moab to Sedona.Such a hidden gem - beautifully maintained by locals who have been in the area for generations.The historic site really brings to life what the pioneers achieved to reach the area.Definitely stop if you can and spend an hour here - it’s well worth it.

Steve Sampson

2024-05

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Deborah Clayton-Dobson

2024-04

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Elinor Robinson

2024-03

This was so fun!!!! We saw an original cabin from the 1800's and there were wooden cows to lasso with some videos of how the original settlers came to the area. There is also a working water wheel. It is a wonderful place. They have a working pump organ.

Go West

2024-04

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swapan mondal

2024-05

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Shannon Booher

2024-05

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Daniel Mueller

2023-08

I love history museums as a former history teacher and this was one of my favorites. It had a well done movie to give the back story to the community and the people who created Bluff Utah and the Fort. There resilience was overwhelming and the pioneer spirit as well as the devotion to family and faith were noteworthy. The initial museum opens up to a hands-on walk through tour of the Fort with the stories of the spces and families told in multiple languages. We walked through and explored each home and listened to the family stories of struggles, successes and hardwork that make this place exist. I appreciated learning more about their experiences and work to live peacefully with the local Native American tribes. I did not know this was a museum that highlighted Mormon history as there was nothing forced upon you. This was a gem of a stop and it is even better as it is free and they sold goodies as well as ice cream on the hot day and had a room with a mister to cool down and air conditioning in the main museum and gift shop area with locally made crafts. If you are nearby this is well worth the visit to better understand the struggles to settle in these areas.

Victor Garcia de Dios

2023-05

Really nice must-go place if you are thinking on stopping at Bluff. The Fort includes a main building with videos, information and a gift shop and an outside area with many carriages, houses, UTE and Navajo tepees and other gadgets from the gold era on the east side of Utah (late 1800s). The house and carriages are nicely restored and the entire area to walk around looks very inviting with audio clips explaining the history in English, Spanish, German and French languages. There is plenty of space to park outside, restrooms, and it is free of charge, just donations based if you want to donate. Some volunteers will help you with any doubts you may have!

Angela Gallacher

2024-04

I've been to a number of historic sites in Utah and Bluff Fort is the most outstanding. It's free admission and clean bathrooms. It's staffed by unpaid volunteers who take anywhere from 4 months to 1-year of their lives and spend it there preserving the recreated site of the old civilian fort created by the Hole in the Rock Pioneers. That's a labor of love. They have a kitchen with proprietary hand made desserts such as the outstanding lemon zuccini cookie. They also hand make the candy, my favorite is the English Toffee. The volunteers help create many of the gift shop items such as rolling pins, bread boards, hand carved utensils, wooden toys, quilts, purses, bags, toys, costumes, metal items forged on site, and much more. The replica Co-Op has the best gift shop ever. It's stocked with artwork, jewelry, pots, baskets, figurines made my local Native Americans and other local artists. The volunteers dress in costume to help visitors feel as if they've traveled back in time. They have a clever video presentation that introduces the story of the pioneers and the fort starting with a funny "talking wall". The fort is stocked with well preserved artifacts donated from descendants of the pioneers. The replica cabins were also built by the descendants. There are two original buildings that have been restored as far as possible. The tour is self guided and has audio in several languages. You have to spend minimum 2 hours to really immerse yourself in all there is to see. The most prominent feature there is the strong feeling of peace and it's carefully maintained by the kindness and hospitality of the volunteers.

Mamie Zembal

2023-09

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Saving Kittens One Litter At A Time (Kitten Care)

2023-05

On our way out of Utah we randomly saw this place and decided to stop since we were already on a road trip.It was free and we start in the gift shop. They had a nice selection of things. My mom found a very nice wooden cane that was only $15! Great price for s nice piece of wood. She loves the cane. The walk around the Fort was nice and educational. We stopped when it was the middle of the day, so it wast hot hot. My mom is disabled so we hurried through the last few. Even in a rush we had a good time. We stopped by the outside booth and got some treats. My daughter got a free small ice cream cone. She accidentally dropped it and the nice woman gave her another one. My mom and I ordered the old fashioned lemonade and soda, jalapeno brittle, zucchini bread with lemon, and some of the ice cream for ourselves. All of it tasted great. We had a nice snack in a shaded area before hitting the road again. Great little experience.

Melvin Alejandro-Rodriguez

2023-05

This place is historic. They have volunteers telling you about the history of this place and how difficult it was for the pioneers to get there. This pioneers were made of stunner stuff, brave, courageous with a beautiful dream to make a better life for themselves and their families. Don't sell their women short the keept the family cohesion and their children together. I'm impressed by the homes that are here and the artifacts that their ancestors have loaned this place. Is very impressive what they did. Let we don't forget the pioneers that went trough great hardship, decease, starvation, lack of water,hostile natives,and conditions that were unimaginable. I'm proud of this people that made this country what it is today.

Kristine Nicholls

2023-07

Excellent! Bluff Fort is well worth a visit. Our family learned much about the courage of the hole in the rock pioneers and got to visit the re-created cabins honoring our ancestors. Our kids loved playing around the fort and the bakery cookies were delicious. Great gift shop, too. Thank you for preserving this important and inspiring history!

Donna Smith

2023-05

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Perry Pendleton

2024-05

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Amy miner

2023-05

Wow! What a great stop loaded with history! This is FREE to visit but they take donations. Open daily. But concessions & gifts is closed on Sundays. They gave our kids a rock treasure (always loved by the kids) & a baggie for their gold panning discoveries. Highly suggest watching the movie before you wander around to see the cabins & wagons. All of the cabins have multiple languages audio. Great seeing this slice of history & all of the artifacts passed down through generations. We appreciated Bill answering all of our questions.

Cathy Nelson

2023-10

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Puneeth H R

2023-05

We were not aware of this place before and we just happen to spot it while driving from Cortez to Monument Valley. Initially we were surprised to see very good ventilated (water sprinkled) area for sitting and having food, then slowly things started unfolding. 😀 This place is really a heaven in the desert. It has so much history to talk, see and learn about. Kids also love this place as there is lots to keep them engaged. Entry to this place is free and I would recommend to stop here if u are looking for a dining/seating area while on the way. Volunteers out here were very sweet and explained all about this place patiently. Also this place as pretty good gift shop, historic houses of fort bluff residents and rest rooms too. All in all this is really a great place to spend good 2 to 3 hours with friend and family.

Alfonso P

2023-05

What a nice surprise. I loved this place. I didn't know about the Hole in the Rock expedition. I have since watched several documentaries about it, and love the story. Really inspiring.I loved the Fort. The reproduction of the original fort was made with a lot of care and love. People there were really nice.Very happy to have stopped by.

Sarah Nass

2023-05

We just stopped because I wanted to use the bathroom. When we entered this amazing (big) collection of the Navajo and the Mormons we were blown away. It was all so neat and made with love, felt really authentic. Couple of times we pressed the button to hear the stories from the cabin owners. It was awesome. When we left, a really nice guy kept talking with us and answered all my questions. Would really recommend to stop by!

Michele Schumann

2022-05

We weren't sure what was here but stopped in. We were pleasantly surprised! You can tell that a huge amount of effort and thought went into it. The "talking" photos thing at the gift shop was a little corny but we had seen similar at the Mormon Battlion center in San Diego. It appeals to kids. They show 2 short movies about the journey the settlers took. Both are very well done. All of the cabins have narrative and the stories were great. Really brought the stories of the settlers to life. We ate amazing cookies at the concessions stand. Pricey at 4 bucks each. Nice clean bathrooms. So many nice helpful people to guide you around. We spent about 2 hours.

Dona Alla

2023-05

Oh My God!We loved the place! Very good ice cream and lots of memories in mind. Throughout the visit, you can have explanations and anecdotes about the pioneers in several languages. Several really interesting activities and above all, the souvenir shop to see absolutely!On top of that, the people are so lovely. You rarely meet such nice people these days. Thank you for everything.If you go to Monument Valley, do not hesitate to make the detour to see this magnificent place.

Federico Salvati

2023-05

We stopped at Fort Bluff on our way from Moab to Monument Valley, wanting to explore the sorroundings of Highway 191.There are plenty of pioneer-era log-houses where you can enter and enjoy the history of the place.Definitively recommended!

Bruno Callens

2023-08

This was an unexpectedly interesting stop. We did not expect anything as we were just driving from Moab to Monument Valley but we were treated with remarkable and poignant stories and beautiful home recreations of the first explorers. If history interests you, I think this is a must stop. The kids will adore panning for ‘gold’ in the running water and can even take their precious catch home.

Oksana Billington

2021-05

So much worth visiting if you are in the area. We didn't know about this place. Just pulled over when noticed lots of teepees and carriages. And what a treat! Dedicated friendly staff! Free entrance, a knowledgeable guide telling stories of the past. Lovely ladies selling local goodies. Well preserved historic cabins had the audio buttons telling fascinating stories about people living there. They were pioneers who made their way there through the Hole in the Rock and it took them 6 months to get through the canyon instead of planned 6 weeks.Kids did gem mining. Great set up!Please pay a visit and support the local historical place!

Erica Cooper

2023-05

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Marc Albert

2023-05

This was a surprise find. We didn't find it when we googled the area. It's a lovely museum that recreates what the original Mormon settlement looked like. There are Native American homes to see, settler's cabins with all sorts of artifacts, and more. The place is stocked with volunteers that are happy to tell you about the place and answer your questions. We had a lovely time.