The Ancient Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, were a Native American culture that inhabited the Four Corners region—Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico—between approximately 1 A.D. and 1300 A.D. Depending on the criteria used to differentiate them from earlier groups, their origins may extend back to around 1500 B.C. The Ancient Puebloans are renowned for transitioning from a nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a sedentary agricultural society, cultivating beans, squash, and corn. They are also noted for their monumental architecture, which served as housing, defense against hostile groups, and protection for their food supplies.

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Ancient Puebloan Ruins: Best Places to Visit

One of the Southwest’s most captivating features is the remnants of this prehistoric civilization. The culture’s zenith occurred in Chaco Canyon from 900 to 1100 C.E. The grand pueblos in Chaco surpass other ancient world achievements, such as those of the Mayas and Incas. By 1300, the Ancient Puebloans had mysteriously vacated the region, sparking ongoing research and speculation.

This two-part guide explores the best places to visit these historical sites. This one will cover Utah and Colorado. When visiting, please respect these sacred areas by leaving no trace, not moving or taking anything, and following photography rules.

Ancient Puebloan Indian Ruins – Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde, near Mancos, CO, is perhaps the most well-known Indian cultural park in the United States. The main attraction is the many elaborate cliff dwellings in the area. The largest, and most famous, is called the Cliff Palace.  The area has been occupied for nearly 2,000 years. The park features mesa top pueblos and pit houses (dating from perhaps 600 C.E.) as well as the cliff dwellings which were built and occupied only during the final few decades of Anasazi occupation in the 13th century. There is also an excellent museum. Many ranger-guided tours are available including the famous Balcony House tour. The drive up to the mesa is extremely scenic. Access and activities are limited in winter. Pass prices vary: Single vehicle prices; October 23 – April 30 is $20, May 1 to October 22 is $30.

Hovenweep National Monument

Hovenweep National Monument in Dove Creek, Ut is on the border of Colorado and Utah. Hovenweep preserves six prehistoric sites built between A.D. 1200 and 1300 which may have served as ceremonial centers. Explore a variety of structures, including multistory towers perched on canyon rims and balanced on boulders. Hovenweep National Monument protects six ancestral Puebloan communities that are spread 20 miles along the Utah-Colorado border. Each community is one “unit” of the park, and each unit is not connected to the others.  You should start your visit at the Square Town Group the park’s main unit, which includes the visitor center and campground, as well as several of the park’s famous ancestral Puebloan structures. The rest of Hovenweep’s units are considered outliers and are more difficult to visit. All the outliers are accessed via dirt road, and we highly recommend using high-clearance vehicles. These units are Cutthroat Castle, Holly, Cajon, Horseshoe and Hackberry Groups. Please check the website for directions as this is not a straightforward monument to visit. Passes to visit the park start at $10.

Ute Mountain Tribal Park

The Ute Mountain Tribal Park in southwestern Colorado was created to preserve significant remnants of the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) people, including spectacular cliff dwellings and rock art. Access to the park which is along the Mancos River and tributary canyons – and adjacent to Mesa Verde National Park – is by guided tour only. The Ute Mountain Tribal Park tours are highly recommended to anyone who is interested in cliff dwellings or any aspect of Ancestral Pueblo culture. However, the hiking and general effort of the all-day tour is quite strenuous so please do some research about this hike before you book it. There are other tours available.

Canyons of the Ancients and Anasazi Heritage Center

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Delores, Co. which is in the four corners area and encompasses over 174,000 acres of federal land. The Monument contains the highest known archaeological site density in the United States, with well-preserved archeological finds of Native American cultures. This cultural landscape contains more than 8,300 recorded sites reflecting many physical components of past human life: villages, field houses, check dams, reservoirs, great kivas, cliff dwellings, shrines, sacred springs, agricultural fields, petroglyphs and sweat lodges. Some areas have more than 100 sites per square mile. The total number of sites is estimated to be up to 30,000. A great starting point for visitors to the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument is the visitor center and museum. With tons of historical and informational data on the protected lands, the center is the perfect place to gather information for your guided or unguided tour.  Admission to the museum is $7.

Chimney Rock Archaeological Area

Chimney Rock Archaeological Area is a San Juan National Forest Archaeological Area located in Chimney Rock, CO. Surrounded by the Southern Ute Indian Reservation, Chimney Rock covers seven square miles and preserves 200 ancient homes and ceremonial buildings, some of which have been excavated for viewing and exploration: a Great Kiva, a Pit House, a Multi-Family Dwelling, and a Chacoan-style Great House Pueblo. Chimney Rock is the highest elevation of all the Chacoan sites, at about 7,000 feet above sea level. From the base, the hike to the top is just a half mile and it’s rewarded with dramatic 360-degree views of Colorado and New Mexico. All vehicles and motorcycles will be subject to an activity pass fee – $20.00.  The activity pass fee provides 5 days of access to the Chimney Rock National Monument. Self-guided tours are available during open hours and are included in the activity pass.

Ancient Puebloans Indian Ruins – Utah

Grand Gulch Primitive Area

Grand Gulch is one of the finest cultural and recreational resources on the Colorado Plateau. Located in Monticello, Utah, it winds for fifty miles before reaching the San Juan River. The lush canyon is ideal for backpacking and pack trips. And it is full of Anasazi relics. Remnants of small dwellings are scattered throughout Grand Gulch. But a big feature is the fabulous rock art, for the most part colorful painted pictographs. This is an unsupervised environment, so you get to enjoy these relics in a private and natural setting. Please keep in mind that this is a very primitive area. You do need a permit to enter this area.

Canyonlands National Park – Newspaper Rock State Park

The Canyonlands region is rich in small scale Anasazi ruins and rock art, located near Moab, UT. One of the most famous sites is Newspaper Rock adjacent to the Needles District. The large flat rock wall is literally covered by petroglyphs. If you are a backpacker, you will be able to reach the famous “All American Man” pictograph on Salt Creek. Canyonlands National Park preserves 337,598 acres of colorful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches, and spires in the heart of southeast Utah’s high desert. Canyonlands preserves the natural beauty and human history throughout its four districts, which are divided by the Green and Colorado rivers. These are not close together so be sure to do research on the park’s website to see what areas you wish to explore. There is a $30 private vehicle fee to enter the park.

Edge of the Cedars State Park

At the nearby town of Blanding, the Edge of the Cedars State Park offers a partially excavated pueblo and a small museum. Edge of the Cedars Pueblo, a village inhabited by the ancestors of contemporary Puebloan peoples from AD 825 to 1225 and climb down a ladder to enter the 1,000-year-old kiva. View the largest collection of Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) pottery on display in the Four Corners area. There is a $5 fee to enter the park.

Horseshoe Canyon – Canyonlands National Park

The Great Gallery of Horseshoe Canyon is considered the finest rock art panel in America. While this area was the domain of the Fremont people during the Anasazi era, the rock art is much more ancient. The style, is known as “Barrier Canyon” and is associated with the Archaic Indians during the years 2000 B.C.E to 500 C.E. Relics in the area have been dated to 9000 B.C.E Access is via 30 miles of dirt road, then several miles of pretty tough hiking into the canyon. This is part of Canyonlands National Park.

Anasazi Indian Village State Historical Monument

Located in the remote town of Cannonville, Utah, this site offers an excavated Anasazi village and a museum. It is unusual because the village was established around 1075 B.C.E. by Kayenta Anasazi migrating up from the south. The village prospered for nearly 200 years and became a crossroads of Ancient Puebloan and Fremont culture. The village burned in 1275. The cause is not known nor is the whereabouts of the residents after the village was destroyed. Outside the museum, tour a life-sized, six-room replica of an ancient dwelling and view a portion of the original site. Inside, view artifacts excavated from this site and learn the lifeways of these people. There is a $5 fee to enter this monument.

Conclusion

As you can see there are many sites that have great history of not only the Ancient Puebloan, but also the peoples that followed them. If you enjoy learning about the history of our country, then these must-see sites should go on your bucket list! There is so much to learn about past cultures and visiting these sites is a great experience. Not only will you learn about the past, but the landscape is amazing. The Southwest, especially the four corners area, offers breathtaking views, lots of historical sites and some quirky places along the way. I had no idea there were so many sites in the four corners area. When planning your trip, you may want to break it into more than one trip to give yourself enough time to see them all. If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, it will tell you about Ancient Puebloan sites in Arizona and New Mexico.

Ultimate Guide to Ancient Puebloan Sites: Part One

We hope to help you plan your vacations by informing you of things we have learned and tips we’ve picked up along the way. I do recommend checking the websites we supplied when planning your trip to get more detailed information. We hope to inspire you to get out and make your own memories, don’t forget a camera, and find your own adventures. You don’t have to go on a big vacation to have an adventure, you can take a day trip near home and learn something new about your area. The most important thing is to get out and have fun!

The post The Ultimate Guide to the Top Ancient Puebloan (Anasazi) Sites in the Four Corners States Part 2 appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

The Ancient Puebloans, also known as the Anasazi, were a Native American culture that inhabited the Four Corners region-Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico-between approximately 1 A.D. and 1300 A.D. Depending on the criteria used to differentiate them from earlier groups, their origins may extend back to around 1500 B.C. The Ancient Puebloans are renowned for transitioning from a nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyle to a sedentary agricultural society, cultivating beans, squash, and corn. They are also noted for their monumental architecture, which served as housing, defense against hostile groups, and protection for their food supplies.

This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Ancient Puebloan Ruins: Best Places to Visit

One of the Southwest’s most captivating features is the remnants of this prehistoric civilization. The culture’s zenith occurred in Chaco Canyon from 900 to 1100 C.E. The grand pueblos in Chaco surpass other ancient world achievements, such as those of the Mayas and Incas. By 1300, the Ancient Puebloans had mysteriously vacated the region, sparking ongoing research and speculation.

This two-part guide explores the best places to visit these historical sites, starting with Arizona and New Mexico. When visiting, please respect these sacred areas by leaving no trace, not moving or taking anything, and following photography rules.

Arizona

Wupatki National Monument

Located in an arid high desert region just north of Flagstaff, the monument contains a variety of mesa top ruins. The area was occupied after Sunset Crater’s peak exploded in 1064-5 C.E. The principal pueblo, Wupatki, has features not seen in other historical finds: a huge amphitheater which resembles a great kiva but without any ceremonial structures and a ballcourt. Adjacent Sunset Crater National Monument offers views of numerous volcanic peaks. Passes to enter start at $15.

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Located in a steep and hidden canyon just east of Flagstaff, this settlement was built in the early 1100’s by Sinaguan people emigrating from Wupatki and using Ancient Puebloan building techniques. The one-mile round-trip Island Trail provides access to 25 cliff dwellings. Rim Trail will take you on a stroll along canyon rim. Two canyon overlooks provide scenic views of the canyon and cliff dwellings below. Explore a partially rebuilt pit house and pueblo set back from the canyon rim. Although not Ancient Puebloan dwellings, their influence is apparent in this architecture. Fees to enter park start at $15.

Homolovi Ruins State Park

Located just off Interstate-40 about an hour east of Flagstaff, near Winslow. Homolovi Ruins State Park protects four very large Pueblo sites which might be considered late Ancient Puebloan or early Hopi. The area was believed to be occupied from 1200 to 1400 C.E. The area is very rich in relics, and archaeologists continue to work here in the summer. More than 300 archaeological sites have been identified within the park boundaries, including four major 14th-century pueblos which are accessible through the five hiking trails. Camping and RV camping are allowed in the park. The entrance fee is $7 per vehicle.

Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified Forest National Park is mainly known for, you guessed it, petrified wood. However, the area is rich in ruin sites as well as rock art. There are several exhibits, the most unique is the Agate House, a restoration of a small pueblo built entirely with petrified wood. There are many ways to check out this park from hiking on or off trail, bicycle or taking a horseback ride but the best way to start out is to do the scenic drive and stop at the overlooks. This will help plan where you want to spend more time. Fees for this park start at $15. See the park website for directions.

Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Located in Chinle, AZ Canyon de Chelly is one of the most scenic canyons in the southwest. It has sustained and sheltered humans for more than two thousand years. The Rio de Chelly is a perennial stream which usually floods in the spring, which may hamper touring the canyon bottom. Today, Navajo families still farm, graze their animals, and live here. The canyon was occupied by Ancient Puebloan from 1050-1300 C.E. Remains of their magnificent cliff dwellings are found throughout the canyon, the most famous being the White House Ruins. Also, many Ancient Puebloan and Navajo rock art panels. The best way to see the canyon is by taking a tour with a Navajo guide. Our guide was not only very knowledgeable, but his family had a plot in the canyon where they still farmed and grazed their animals here. The picture below is right in front of their home. You can’t tour the bottom of the canyon without a guide. The North and South Rim drives are around the top of the canyon with stops at many overlooks. Camping is available at the campground right outside the park and there is a hotel in the park run by Navajo Nation. There are no fees to drive the top rim, but fees for the guided tour vary by which tour you choose. A must see for anyone who loves Native American history and outdoor adventures. For more about Canyon de Chelly check out our blog.

Navajo National Monument

Located in Shonto, this monument preserves the heritage of the Kayenta Ancient Puebloans in two of the finest known cliff dwellings. Betatakin is known for its beautiful setting in a huge alcove in a canyon. Keet Seel is the best preserved of all cliff dwellings. The section most protected by the cave overhang is completely intact, including the roofs. Both sites can only be visited on a ranger-led tour.  Both hikes are very rigorous. Please be sure to check the website for more information. There is one self-guided tour where you can see part of Betatakin. There are no fees to enter the park. It is a must-see for all Ancient Puebloan and historical aficionados.

Hopi Reservation

The Hopi people believe they are descended from the Ancient Puebloans. Their ancient mesa top village of Old Oraibi rivals Acoma as the oldest (continuously inhabited) town in the country. Be aware that the Hopi people still follow old traditions and are very private. You can only visit the reservation with a tour guide. There are numerous restrictions to visits (including a ban on photography). Please respect their privacy. Contact the Hopi Cultural Center at Second Mesa, Arizona, if you are interested in visiting the reservation.

 New Mexico

El Morro National Monument

El Morro National Monument in Ramah has hundreds of petroglyphs that tell the story of Ancient Puebloans and Archaic Spanish. A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluff made El Morro (the headland) a popular campsite for hundreds of years. Here, ancestral Puebloans, Spanish, and American travelers carved over 2,000 signatures, dates, messages, and petroglyphs. There are two self-guided trails you can take and a visitors center to learn even more about this area. Camping is available at a nine-site campground. There are no fees to enter this National Monument.

The Acoma Pueblo

The Acoma Pueblo, or “Sky City”, is located between Grants and Albuquerque off of Interstate-40. Located on a steep, isolated mesa, Acoma has been continuously inhabited for nearly 800 years and is one of the oldest (continuously inhabited) towns in North America.  The Catholic church, dating from the 1600’s, is gorgeous with so much is history.  Residents will often sell their unique and famous pottery nearby. You can’t tour Sky City without a tour guide. Stop at the Sky City Cultural Center and Haak’u Museum to purchase tickets for the tours. There are restrictions on photos and as always don’t touch anything. Sky City is still inhabited so remember you are visiting their homes. The Cultural Center will give you a lot of information about Acoma Pueblo, but if you really want to see how they have lived for all of these years, you need to take the tour of Sky City.

Chaco Culture National Historic Park

Chaco Culture National Historic Park (referred to as Chaco Canyon) is in Nageezi, NM. Chaco Canyon was the cultural and religious center of the Ancient Puebloans for hundreds of years. At its peak in the tenth century, the canyon contained gigantic pueblos with hundreds of rooms, giant kivas including the great Casa Rinconada, sophisticated agricultural systems, as well as scientific structures related to mathematics and astronomy. There was also an amazing system of roads (which can still be detected from space) and “outliers” (suburbs). Chaco Culture National Historic Park has been studied for many years because so much has been found. Make your first stop the Visitor Center. From there, a 9-mile loop road accesses five major Chacoan sites, including Pueblo Bonito. Guidebooks for these sites can be purchased at the park store inside the visitor center. Four backcountry hiking trails access more remote sites and features. Backcountry trail users must sign the register at the trailhead. You must obtain a pass before entering the park, $25 per vehicle. These can be obtained online. If you would like to camp, there is a campground about a mile from the visitor center.

Aztec Ruins National Monument

Aztec Ruins National Monument, located in Aztec, NM is a little misleading in that there were never any Aztec people here. Early settlers mistakenly thought that the ruins they found were from the Aztec but in fact were Native Puebloans. Explore the ancestral Pueblo of Aztec West great house that began as a satellite city of Chaco, and later functioned as the social, economic, and political center of the region after Chaco declined. A self-guided, half mile walk winds through original rooms.  You can also enter the ceremonial Great Kiva; this amazing semi-subterranean structure, over 40 feet in diameter, is the oldest and largest reconstructed building of its kind. Be sure to visit the museum. This National Monument is free to enter.

Bandelier National Monument

 Near Los Alamos Bandelier National Monument protects and preserves about 33,00 acres of the Pajarito Plateau, including one of the largest concentrations of Ancestral Pueblo archaeological sites. Ancestral Pueblo peoples made Bandelier their home from about 1100 to 1550 CE. For more than 400 years they and their descendants lived and flourished here. Today, Bandelier National Monument preserves a high density and variety of archeological resources from the Ancestral Pueblo period, including cavates carved into cliffs. Bandelier is one of the few places in the world where these types of resources are found. These include Tyuonyi, Big Kiva,Talus House, Long House, Alcove House and Tsankawi. Fee: $25 private car.

Pecos National Historical Park

Pecos National Historical Park is in Pecos, NM near Santa Fe. Between the towering Sangre de Cristo mountains and the flat-topped Glorieta Mesa lies Glorieta Pass, through which a continuously unfolding story of human culture has traveled to and from the Pecos Valley for thousands of years. There are a few trails you can hike but if you’re looking for ancestral sites then take Ancestral Sites Trail. The trail starts right behind the visitor center. It gives you a glimpse into the past as you pass by the ancestral sites of the Pecos Pueblo and the Mission Church. You will also enjoy beautiful vistas of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Glorieta Mesa as you venture around the trail. There are no fees for this park.

Petroglyph National Monument

Located near Albuquerque, Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America, featuring designs and symbols carved onto volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago.  This archaeological site features some 25,000 prehistoric and historic petroglyphs. There are 3 canyons you can explore: Boca Negra Canyon-short walks to see 100 petroglyphs, Rinconada Canyon-Hike a 2.2 miles loop trail to see 300 petroglyphs, and Piedras Marcadas Canyon- a 1.5-mile round trip to see 400 petroglyphs. You can also visit Volcanoes Day Use Area and explore cinder cone volcanoes. This is site is free to visit.

Puye Cliff Dwellings National Historic Landmark

 Located near Española, NM you will experience one of northern New Mexico’s most awe-inspiring cultural attractions here. Puye Cliff Dwellings feature cliff & cave dwellings, early Pueblo architecture, and a stunning panorama of the valley. There are many tours available to see these dwellings. You may also want to visit Harvey House. Harvey Houses were built by the legendary Fred Harvey Company in the late 1800s as amenities for tourists traveling to the Southwest by railroad and, later, by passenger car. The Harvey House at Puye Cliffs is the only Harvey House built on an Indian reservation. Tickets for tours can be purchased on site. There is also a seven-mile by-way you can drive to see the historic Santa Clara sights.

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

This National Monument is near Mountainair, NM offers three distinct sites that offer a glimpse into a unique time in history. Abo’ is a .75 interpretive loop trail through the 17th century Mission of San Gregorio de Abó. It is located 10 minutes west of Mountainair. Quarai is located nine miles north of Mountainair, NM, Quarai is tucked at the base of the Manzano mountains with a natural spring. Gran Quivira was the largest pueblo of the three. Located just off the southeastern slope of the Chupadera Mesa and is a .75 interpretive loop trail through the mission and Pueblo of Gran Quivira, also referred to as Las Humanas. There is no entrance fee for this National Monument.

Conclusion

There is so much to learn about past cultures and visiting these sites is a great experience. Not only will you learn about the past, but the landscape is beautiful. The Southwest, especially the four corners area, offers breathtaking views, lots of historical sites and some quirky places along the way. If you’re looking for an adventure and love history or beautiful scenery, then the sites mentioned in this post are places you put on your bucket list. Please see Part 2 to learn about more places in Colorado and Utah.

We try to give information to you to help you plan your adventures with knowledge and tips we’ve learned along the way to help you plan the best trip for you. One thing I do recommend is you check the websites we’ve included to get more information about visiting the park. We always hope to inspire you to get out and make some memories. Even a trip near home can be an adventure and you never know what you might find. Have fun!

The post The Ultimate Guide to the Top Ancient Puebloan (Anasazi) Sites in the Four Corners States Part 1 appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.