Compared to strange ancient archeological sites, like Gobekli Tepe and others found elsewhere in the world, the timeline of the United States can feel fairly short and recent, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of unique historical sites to be found. Evidence of the Native Americans that lived throughout the country and the early pioneers that made their way through the land has been preserved and restored as national monuments that have much to teach visitors today.
People can learn about Native American heritage through tours and discover the people that came before by visiting ancient sites in the US, particularly in the Southwest, where the arid landscape has naturally preserved many structures. There are guided tours, museums, and even hands-on activities to give every visitor a chance to experience the original history of the country at these culturally and historically significant monuments.
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Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico
Despite what the name suggests, the Aztec Ruins are another preserved site that once belonged to the Puebloan people of the American Southwest. Their culture is preserved in the ruins, including the 40-foot ceremonial Great Kiva, the oldest and largest of its kind still found, as well as through the native plant garden that is maintained on the grounds. Visitors hoping to enjoy everything that the area represents should start their day trip at the Visitor Center and Museum, which was once the home of pioneer Earl Morris. After exploring the pottery, jewelry, and other artifacts in the museum and enjoying the 15-minute video, guests are ready to take a tour of the ruins and gardens to fill the rest of their day.
Cost: FREE
Address: 725 Ruins Road, Aztec, NM 87410
Amenities: Hiking Trails, Visitor Center, Interpretive Programs, Heritage Garden
Activities: Hiking, Self-Guided Tour, Interpretive Tours, Picnicking, Native Plant Walk, Downtown Aztec
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Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Cliff Palace, nestled in Mesa Verde National Park (of which there are various ways to explore), is a World Heritage Site that preserves over 700 years of history of the Pueblo people in the form of 26 Pueblos and Tribes. Multiple hiking trails spanning over 30 miles give visitors ample opportunity to explore these sacred sites, while the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center offers deeper insight into the rich background of the area.
Those interested in entering the dwellings can take a guided cliff tour or download an audio tour that follows the 6-mile Mesa Top Loop hike. The park is open year-round, but the high elevation and late snow mean that visitors looking to enjoy the ancient views may need to pack snowshoes to get out on the trail.
Cost: $15/vehicle
Address: 35853 Rd H.5, Mancos, CO 81328
Amenities: Visitor's Center, Bathrooms, Hiking Trails, Ski Trails
Activities: Hiking, Sightseeing, Stargazing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing
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Lapakahi State Historical Park, Waimea, Hawaii
There's no need to feel torn between a beach getaway and a historical adventure when Lapakahi State Historical Park exists. Located along the northern shore of Hawaii, the park is home to the partially restored remains of the ancient fishing village that once existed there. The ruins and Park itself give visitors the opportunity to learn about Hawaiian culture and history while enjoying all the sightseeing and hiking that is the hallmark of these tropical islands.
Cost: FREE
Address: Highway 270 -Akoni Pule Hwy, North Kohala, HI
Amenities: Bathrooms
Activities: Hiking
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Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Home to the Pueblo people from approximately 1150 to 1550 CE, Bandelier National Monument has retained many of the historical landmarks and natural landscapes that represent life for those who once lived here. Visitors can enjoy the remains of Puebloan homes carved from volcanic tuff as well as evidence of their mesatop farming, where they primarily grew corn, squash, and beans, which needed the full sun that could only be found atop the mesas.
Visitors to the monument can enjoy guided tours and patio talks to learn even more about the history of the area and how the Puebloan people successfully lived in such a harsh climate for hundreds of years.
Cost: $15/person OR $25/vehicle (good for 7 days)
Address: 15 Entrance RD, Los Alamos, NM 87544
Amenities: Hiking Trails, Campgrounds, Bathrooms
Activities: Hiking, Camping, Birding, Wildlife Viewing, Boating, Stargazing, Cross-Country Skiing, Guided Tours
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River House Ruin, Bluff, Utah
The River House Ruins offers a unique look at the history of the Southwest throughout the last 1,000 years, from the Puebloans to the pioneers. Part of Bear Ears National Monument and backing to public lands, the ruins consist of a kiva and multiple one- and two-story buildings, as well as numerous pictographs. The pictographs are so numerous that they leave the ruins and spread into public lands, meaning that any well-prepared explorers may be able to find some hidden treasures.
Evidence of the pioneers that also came through the region in 1879, with the road to River House following the Hole-in-the-Rock Expedition. Those exploring for pictographs can also find evidence of wagon wheel ruts carved into the red rock landscape of Southern Utah.
Cost: FREE
Address: Monticello 365 North Main Monticello, UT 84535 (Bears Ears National Monument)
Amenities: Hiking Trails
Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, ATVs, Horseback Riding
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Montezuma Castle National Monument, Camp Verde, Arizona
A monument to the Sinagua people, the 20-room high-rise Montezuma Castle stands carved into the limestone cliff and is filled with a variety of unique artifacts. Today, guests can see many of these artifacts at the Montezuma Castle Visitor’s Center or online through the American Southwest Virtual Museum and learn about their importance either by exploring the accessible areas on their own or with a guided tour.
Approximately 15–20 minutes north of the namesake castle, guests can also see the Montezuma Well, which showcases the early irrigation systems used by early settlers. Visitors can also learn the history behind the Back Ranch House that still stands near the ancient well.
Cost: $10/adult
Address: 2800 Montezuma Castle Road, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
Amenities: Visitors Center, Hiking Trails, Wheelchair Accessible Paved Trails
Activities: Hiking, Sightseeing, Birding, Guided Tours
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Moundville Archaeological Park, Moundville, Alabama
Once home to a 300-person Native American village, the Moundville Archeological Park was once considered the “Big Apple” of the 14th century, according to National Geographic. Today, the park encompasses 326 acres and 29 flat-top mounds that were once used for ceremonial and political purposes in the bustling city. The Jones Archeological Museum within the park has preserved over 200 of the unique artifacts found at the site that tell the story of the Mississippian people that once lived here.
Those hoping to learn as much as possible about the history of the site can enjoy the free self-guided tour or pay an additional fee for a comprehensive park or museum tour as well as hands-on activities such as weapon use, farming, and jewelry making.
Cost: $8/person
Address: 634 Mound State Parkway, Moundville, AL 35474-6413
Amenities: Hiking Trails, Archeological Museum, Camping Facility, Bathrooms
Activities: Hiking, Camping, Self-Guided Tour, Comprehensive Tours (additional fees apply), Educational Programs (additional fees apply)
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Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
Hidden in the desert, nearly 150 miles from Albuquerque, Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves the "great houses" of the ancient Puebloan people. Why visit the unique buildings of the Chaco Canyon? Well, it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves the ceremonial center of the people. The largest of the buildings is the Pueblo Bonito, which has over 600 rooms and 35 ceremonial kivas. Guests can explore some of the other ceremonial buildings, including Hungo Pavi, Chetro Ketl, and Casa Rinconada, through guided tours, hiking trails, or even Campfire Talks. And as a Designated Dark Sky Park, the rich history of the park lives late into the night.
Cost: $15/person OR $25/vehicle (good for 7 days)
Address: 1808 CR 7950, Nageezi, NM 87037
Amenities: Campgrounds, Bathrooms
Activities: Guided Tours, Hiking and Biking Trails, Evening Campfire Talks, and Night Sky Programs
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Hovenweep National Monument, Utah-Colorado Border
Unlike many national parks and monuments that cover a continuous area, the Hovenweep National Monument is made up of six unique, disconnected sites, each with its own significance and history. Park rangers at the Hovenweep Visitor Center are the best starting place for those hoping to see as many of the locations as possible. From there, visitors can explore the nearby Square Tower Group site, the largest group of structures available to visit in the park. Adventurers can then journey to as many of the other locations, which include Holly, Cutthroat Castle, and Cajon, as they have the water for.
Cost: $10/adult OR $20/vehicle
Address: Hovenweep National Monument Visitor Center, Montezuma Creek, UT 84534**
Amenities: Hiking Trails, Visitor Center, Campgrounds, Bathrooms
Activities: Hiking, Stargazing, Birding
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Casa Grande National Monument, Coolidge, Arizona
Once home to the Sonoran Desert People, the Casa Grande National Monument preserves the ancestral farming community’s history and its Great House ruins. The exact purpose of the Great House, or “Casa Grande”, is a bit of a mystery, but the ruins remain a site to behold nonetheless. A park video at the Visitor Center Museum, as well as guided tours and programs, all offer insight as to what might have occurred on the lands, as well as what is known about the Desert People.
Cost: FREE
Address: 1100 W. Ruins Drive, Coolidge, AZ 85128
Amenities: Hiking Trails, Visitor Center and Museum, Interpretive Programs, Bathrooms
Activities: Hiking, Nature Walks, Self-Guided Tour, Park Movie, Guided Tours, Picnicking
