“Twin sandstone buttes rising above cedar mesa. Ancient cliff dwellings, canyon labyrinths, and one of the most sacred landscapes in the American Southwest. Visually and culturally layered.”
About This Location
Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah offers an extraordinary convergence of geological and cultural landscape. The iconic twin sandstone buttes anchor a sprawling monument encompassing Cedar Mesa, Comb Ridge, the Manti-La Sal foothills, and numerous Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. For indie filmmakers, this is one of the most visually layered locations in the country — ancient canyon architecture framed by desert skies and mesa-top juniper forests. The monument is jointly managed by the BLM Monticello Field Office and the NPS, and five Indigenous tribes have co-stewardship roles. Commercial filming requires a BLM Special Recreation Permit. Tribal consultation may be required for filming near culturally sensitive sites — plan ahead and reach out early. Allow 30+ business days given the multi-agency coordination. A rare location that earns serious artistic credibility.
Color Palette
Location
📍 Open in Google Maps →Permit Information
Permit Required
Type
BLM Film Permit
Fee
$0–$200+/day
Contact
BLM Monticello Field Office
Jointly managed by BLM and NPS. Consult both agencies if filming near culturally sensitive sites. Tribal consultation may be required.
Save this to your scout list
Create a free account to save locations, add notes, and build your scouting board.
Start Scouting — Free →Already scouting? Sign in →Saved locations sync across all your devices.
More in Utah
🗺 Browse all filming locations in Utah →
