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, 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.

Colorado is a treasure trove of natural beauty, offering a diverse array of national parks and monuments that showcase everything from towering sand dunes to ancient cliff dwellings. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a casual traveler, there’s something for everyone in the Centennial State. Here’s a guide to some of the must-visit national parks and monuments in Colorado.

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National parks

Great Sand Dunes National Park

The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of grasslands, wetlands, forests, alpine lakes, and tundra. Located in Mosca, Co there are three diverse ecosystems here, so be sure to plan enough time to visit all of them. Alpine tundra is the highest ecosystem at Great Sand Dunes. There are five named alpine lakes and a few unnamed ones in Great Sand Dunes National Preserve. The dune field with the tallest dunes in North America spreads across 30 square miles. And this is just the beginning of all you can see here. You can hike the many trails and all the sand dunes or go sandboarding or snow sled on the dunes. Play or swim in Medano Creek when there’s water. Or tour on horseback. Fees for private vehicles start at $25.

Black Rock Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

About 60 million years ago, a small area of land uplifted and brought metamorphic rock to high elevations. This is called the Gunnison Uplift. About 30 million years ago, large volcanoes erupted on either side of this uplift, burying it in volcanic rock. Then, about two million years ago, the Gunnison River began flowing in force. The river and time eroded the volcanic rock and cut a deep canyon in the metamorphic rock below. This is now Black Rock Canyon located in Montrose, CO on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. There are 3 scenic drives you can drive; each take 2 hours or more to complete. There are numerous hiking trails and a campground. If you enjoy winter activities, you can snowshoe or enjoy cross-country skiing in some parts of the park. The standard entrance pass starts at $15. Be sure to check the website for weather conditions before you go. You may also want to visit the nearby Curecanti National Recreation Area to experience the Gunnison River in a different form.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park’s 415 square miles (265,807 acres) encompasses a spectacular range of mountain environments. From meadows to glistening alpine lakes and up to the towering mountain peaks, there is something for everyone to discover. Along the way explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and incredible wildlife viewing. Located in Estes Park, CO, this park is open all year but be sure to check the website for winter weather closures. Fees to enter the park start at $30 for private vehicle. Stop by a visitor center, take a hike, take a scenic drive, enjoy snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, horseback ride through the park, camp-out under the stars and do some stargazing. There is an endless number of things to do here.

Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde, in Mancos, 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. Mesa Verde was one of the three centers of early Ancient Puebloan culture, the other two being Chaco and Kayenta branch in Arizona. The area has been occupied for nearly 2,000 years. The park features mesa top pueblos and pit houses as well as the cliff dwellings. There is also an excellent museum. There are two loop drives to give you a wonderful view of the park: Cliff Palace Loop Road is a 6-mile drive with overlooks of cliff dwellings and access to the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail and Mesa Top Loop Road where you’ll drive 6-miles through 700 years of Ancestral Pueblo history including excavated mesa-top villages and overlooks of cliff dwellings. Cliff Palace, which is the largest cliff dwelling in North America can be viewed from the Cliff Palace Overlook on the Cliff Palace Loop and from Sun Temple on the Mesa Top Loop. There are two short walks: Park Point is a short walk to the highest point in the park with spectacular views across the Four Corners Region and Far View Sites is an easy ¾-mile walk through a pinyon-juniper forest that connects a community of mesa-top farming villages and an ancient reservoir. The museum is also worth checking out. Pass fees start at $20 for a single vehicle.

National Monuments

Browns Canyon National Monument

Browns Canyon National Monument covers more than 21,500 acres of pristine rivers, canyons and forest. The canyon is carved by the Arkansas River and features granite cliffs and colorful rock outcroppings. There are many ways to enjoy this amazing monument from white water rafting, fishing, hiking or horseback riding. You can camp at one of the campgrounds although reservations are required with a fee. If you like winter activities, you can enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. There is no fee to enter this National Monument. You’ll find this wonderful monument in Salida, Co.

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

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.

Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument

Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument lies along the Continental Divide in north central Colorado near Vail. This area started as a training area for US mountain troops. Today you can visit many of the historic buildings or ski at the family run resort Ski Cooper. There are no fees to enter.

Chimney Rock National Monument

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.

Colorado National Monument

Colorado National Monument preserves towering monoliths that exist within a vast plateau and canyon panorama. You can experience sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Rim Rock Drive, where you may spy bighorn sheep and soaring eagles. Along with taking the 23-mile drive, which has many overlooks and access to some of the hiking trails, there are over 40 miles of hiking trails available for you to enjoy the beautiful scenery. If you love to climb rocks, it is permitted here. Bicycles are allowed on the main road. You can camp in the campground or get a permit for backcountry camping. Standard passes start at $15. This National Monument is located in Fruita, CO.

Dinosaur National Monument

150 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed here, and their fossils are still embedded in the rocks in Dinosaur National Monument. Petroglyphs reveal the lives and connections of Indigenous people to this land.  Depending on your interest and time, you can discover dinosaur fossils, petroglyphs and pictographs, homesteader cabins, early 20th century ranches, remote canyons, dramatic vistas or peaceful rivers. Some places are easily accessible from the monument’s roads while others may require extended hikes, 4-wheel drive vehicles or river trips. Dinosaur National Monument is spread over 210,000 acres along the Colorado and Utah border.  is in Dinosaur, CO but the physical address is the Visitor Center in Jensen, UT. The private vehicle entrance fee is $25, other fees vary.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Beneath a grassy mountain valley in central Colorado lies one of the richest and most diverse fossil deposits in the world. Petrified redwood stumps up to 14 feet wide and thousands of detailed fossils of insects and plants reveal the story of a very different, prehistoric Colorado. This is what you will find when visiting Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in Florissant CO. There are 3 short self-guided hikes and if you like hiking there’s 14 miles of nature trails for you to explore. Visit Hornbek Homestead to learn more about the history of this monument. Be sure to stop at the Visitor Center! Entrance fee for this National Monument is $10.

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.

Yucca House National Monument

Yucca House National Monument, in Cortez, preserves a large unexcavated pueblo with a stunning setting in Montezuma Valley, nestled between Mesa Verde and Ute Mountain. Currently, there are no signs directing you to Yucca House. The monument is surrounded by private land. Once you leave the main highway, the road to Yucca House becomes gravel or dirt, which may be impassable in wet weather. You may need to pass through livestock gates and close them behind you. Once you arrive at the parking area, follow the boardwalk and enter the monument through a small gate, making sure you close it behind you. Please see the website before you visit to find out more information and printable guide.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking to marvel at the natural wonders or dig into the rich history of ancient civilizations, Colorado’s national parks and monuments offer an unforgettable experience. Plan your visit today and explore the diverse landscapes and cultural heritage of this beautiful state. Be sure to visit the website before you plan your trip to learn more about the park or monument. Please be sure to leave it as you find it. Don’t touch, move or damage anything you find while exploring. Throw trash away and bring out anything you took in.

We hope to help people find their adventures and pass on helpful information and tips we’ve learned to make your trip as stress-free as possible. We hope to inspire people to go out, explore and find new adventures. Even if it’s a day trip near home, you can make memories. Don’t forget to take your camera! Have fun and enjoy every day!

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