Long before the United States existed, there were many civilizations throughout the lands that now make up the country. Today, visitors can learn about the history and heritage of these lands in the Four Corners region on the Trail of the Ancients. The route is found in the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.
The Trail of the Ancients explores many of the state parks, Indian reservations, and national monuments of the region. On this trail, people can see some of the best landscapes of the region, along with some of the land's deepest history. But it's not all about history; people will also see the enduring traditions and practices of the Ancient's living descendants today.
Discover Native American History On The Trail Of The Ancients
The Trail of the Ancients is a collection of National Scenic Byways that highlight the archeological history of the region. Along this route, visitors can delve into the cultural history of the Native American peoples of the Southwest (people should also visit the Navajo Nation to see how that heritage lives on today).
Byways Of The Trail Of The Ancients
Utah: Trail of the Ancients National Scenic Byway - 366 Miles
Colorado: Trail of the Ancients Scenic and Historic Byway - 116 Miles
New Mexico: Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway - 662 Mile
Arizona: Dine' Tah & Kayenta-Monument Valley Scenic Road
The route connects historic points of interest of the Navajo, Utes, and early Puebloan peoples. Along the way, people see snow-capped mountains, red rock landscapes, green valleys, canyons, and some of the most iconic landscapes of the Southwest. Plan the road trip with a suggested itinerary of the Utah trail on the dedicated website.
The Colorado section of the Trail of the Ancients has been a National Scenic Byway since 2005. It goes over the arid and cultural terrain of the Ancestral Pueblo. This is a land with cliff dwellings, rock art, and broken pottery sherds.
One of the main attractions along this section is the Mesa Verde National Park - one of the most famous Native American archeological sites in the country. It preserves over 4,000 archeological sites and 600 cliff dwellings. Other key attractions include the Hovenweep National Monument, Hawkins Preserve and Hawkins Pueblo, the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, and the Visitors Center/Museum in Dolores.
Trail Of The Ancients Utah - Explore Timeless Lands & Ancient Sites
The Utah section crosses the state line passing by the entrance to Hovenweep National Monument and, as a bonus, it also explores the Natural Bridges National Monument.
It is recommended to spend 5 days exploring the route and key attractions on the route include the Hovenweep National Monument (see the square, oval, circular, and D-shaped towers there), Edge of the Cedars State Park and Museum, Butler Wash and Mule Canyon Indian Ruins, Grand Gulch Primitive Area, the Valley of the Gods, Three Kiva Pueblo (kivas are some of the most impressive structures built by the Native Americans of the region), Four Corners Monument, and Gooseneck State Park.
Trail Of The Ancients Arizona - See The Most Iconic Landscapes Of The Southwest
The Trail of the Ancients passes into Arizona into Monument Valley of the Navajo Nation. Arguably, Monument Valley offers one of the most iconic drives of the entire American Southwest, with Route 163 (featuring the Forrest Gump Road) being one of its most scenic. This area has been the backdrop of countless Western movies (as well as where the character Forrest Gump in the famous namesake movie decided to give up running, as the latter road's nickname suggests). These roads in Arizona are not designed as national scenic byways, but they are of immense cultural and scenic value.
It includes the Navajo National Monument and the Canyon de Chelly National Monument. While driving through the Navajo National Monument - take a small detour and drive the route but scenic 17-mile loop road through the famed monument.
Trail Of The Ancients New Mexico - See The Loneliest Parts Of The StateIn New Mexico, the route explores the prehistoric archeological sites of northwestern New Mexico as well as breathtaking geological features. See ruins from the Ancestral Pueblo, the Navajo, the Ute, and the Apache. See evidence of people living in the region from as far back as 10,000 BC. The Ancestral Pueblo lived in this area between around 850 and 1250 AD.
The route traces a massive hook shape on the New Mexico northwest as it explores some of the loneliest parts of the state. Sites along the way include the El Morro National Monument, Chaco Culture National Historic Park, Crownpoint (stop here for the monthly Navajo Rug auction), Casamero Pueblo, El Malpais National Monument, Zuni Pueblo, Aztec Ruins National Monument, and others
