There are so many wonderful trading posts and shops scattered around the Four Corners area, and this one in Bluff, UT is one of my favorites. Part of the charm for me is also the location. It’s close to the San Juan River, and bordered by the Navajo Reservation on the south and close by on the east. In any direction you go there are beautiful and interesting things to see, along with wonderful hiking. And yet it feels isolated, and you have to make a plan to get there. The town still has a rather un-touristy vibe, and even a little bit of a dusty feel, but I love it.
We had been to Twin Rocks back in the '90s, and then I later learned more about it from my trusty guide book. The screenshot of the info from the book tells its history better than I can.
One of the owners was there when we just visited a couple weeks ago, and he was very gracious. He spent a lot of time helping me pick exactly what I wanted to buy, and discussing in general Native American art. His 2 sweet old Golden Labs, Opal and Pearl, also accompanied me as I shopped. The store is in a beautiful setting on the north edge of Bluff.
The shop is on the left, the cafe on the right, and the food is yummy. Lots of fry bread concoctions (I highly recommend the green chile chicken Navajo taco). The inside of the store is also beautiful.
Bluff is a bit away from any place major; maybe around an hour northeast of Monument Valley, and about 2 hours south of Moab. But it’s worth it to make the trip!
You know, I hope someone eventually does a post on Perry Null. We’ve never actually gotten to go there, mostly because it’s been a long time since I spent time in Gallup, and when I was there, I wasn’t familiar with the store. I had my guidebook with me, but I remember going into Richardson’s Pawn in downtown Gallup, then trying to find other stores, and getting completely lost - that was before I was using Google maps. It was known as Toby Turpen’s then, and I remember thinking it was one I’d like to visit, but we were overwhelmed. We ended up on the outskirts at another place that was in my book called Shush Yaz, and had success shopping there. But I did buy some pawn items many, many years ago at the Eiteljorg Indian Art Market that had Tobe Turpen tags.
Ooh, I was there in 2000 and ate at the restaurant . I hadn’t remembered the name of the trading post but the pics are similar to what I remember. I was a poor about to graduate grad student at the time so I just drooled at the gorgeous jewelry but didn’t buy anything. Neat memories. The drive was beautiful. This was back in the day when AAA routed our trip for us with paper maps and yellow highliters, no google maps or gps… Fun times. And yes, Mom and I got lost at least a couple times
Thanks for this post!
You’re very welcome. I think we first stopped there in the late '90s, and didn’t shop then either; not enough in the budget! Then we drove up from Kayenta, but this time was the first time I’ve driven south from Moab on 191. Both are beautiful drives. And yes! Maps! I still often use those, especially out there the AAA Indian Country Map - it’s the BEST.
@Ziacat, Wow, good job promoting Twin Rocks…is Steve or Barry paying you?. Kidding aside, it’s great to share places we love (and you picked one of my fav!
Twin Rocks and Perry Null are VERY different. Twin Rocks is relatively small with limited but wonderful offerings, whereas Perry Null is large with packed displays and walls, and a huge variety (something for everybody, as they say). Both are good places to shop with nice folks, but if you are looking for a relaxing atmosphere, and a beautiful location, can’t beat Twin Rocks (I’m sure you agree!). And Twin Rocks has Opal and Pearl (Golden Retrievers😋).
And, I’ll add, Perry Null is an honest to gosh Pawn Shop. It’s interesting to see locals coming in to pawn items or make payments on their pawned items.
Oh yes, I knew that, and I’ve been in many shops like that. My favorite one in Flagstaff that I got so many beautiful cuffs at, and is now closed, was only a pawn shop; we visited many times in the early to mid-90s and pretty much were the only Anglo customers there.
Maybe you should do a thread on Perry Null I have pics in my four corners guide book of when it was Tobe Turpen.
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It sure looks like a beautiful place. Thank you for sharing!
and you’re welcome!
Neat memories. The drive was beautiful. This was back in the day when AAA routed our trip for us with paper maps and yellow highliters, no google maps or gps… Fun times. And yes, Mom and I got lost at least a couple times 
. Kidding aside, it’s great to share places we love (and you picked one of my fav!
I have pics in my four corners guide book of when it was Tobe Turpen.