County seat: Moab; origin of county name: the Colorado River, which flows through the county, was first called the Grand River; principal cities/towns: Moab (3,971); economy: tourism, agriculture, livestock, mining; points of interest: Arches National Park, Manti-LaSal National Forest, Colorado River, Dead Horse Point State Park.

Grand County is situated on the Colorado Plateau in eastern Utah. The plateau includes two-thirds of the state of Utah as well as parts of Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Composed mostly of sandstone and limestone, the plateau has been eroded by large rivers and other water and wind sources into huge canyons and other complex erosional forms that make it a rugged but scenically spectacular region.

Much of the Colorado Plateau in prehistoric times was inhabited by the Anasazi. Arriving perhaps as early as the time of Christ, the Anasazi disappeared sometime around A.D. 1300, perhaps fleeing a period of prolonged drought or hostile Navajo invaders. Today, the remains of their cliff houses and their rock art delight more recent visitors to the land.