Ancient Indian Ruins of the Southwest

If you want to maximize what you will see on the trip, I recommend focusing on the Four Corners region. That is the spot where the States of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet. As it turns out, Four Corners is about as far away as you can get from a major airport in the region, so whether you are flying in from Phoenix, Denver, Salt Lake or Albuquerque its going to take you just about as long to get there from each city, plus or minus a couple of hours.

The drive from Salt Lake City is probably the most scenic, especially if you have some extra time, and like the red rock country of Arches and Canyonlands.

Sego Canyon Petroglyphs - While a bit out of the way, a trip to Sego Canyon offers a nice glimpse at petroglyphs from a variety of different cultures and time periods. Located north of Thompson Springs off I-70, be prepared for a short drive on a decent dirt road. Beyond the petroglyphs is the Sego Canyon ghost town, but I would only venture beyond the petroglyphs with a high clearance vehicle.

Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument - Newspaper Rock represents one of the best, largely undamaged petroglyph (rock art) panels that still exists. Its located on Highway 211 on the way to Canyonland's Needles District. A trip to Utah's ancient sites would not be complete without seeing it.

Moab Area - If you are already planning to spend a few days in Arches and Canyonlands, there are several examples of Petroglyphs around Moab. One of the most famous is the "Moab man" located near the Moab golf course. Others can be found along Kane Road and Highway 297, with those on 297 the most recommended. Inside Arches National Park is the Wolfe Ranch Petroglyphs located near Delicate Arch.

Mule Canyon/Kane Gulch/Grand Gulch - Located on the Highways 95 and 261, are several remote canyons containing numerous ancient cliff dwellings. Seeing any or all of these canyons does represent a fair bit of effort, including good physical conditioning and the preparations needed to spend hours or even days in hot desert canyons. If you have the time and your up for a challenge these canyons are an experience not to be missed.

Hovenweep - is one of those sites that's off the beaten path, given the better preserved ancient ruins to the south and east. But, if you have the time or are planning on taking the "scenic route" to Mesa Verde next door in Colorado, give it a shot.

Sand Island State Park Petroglyphs- Located near Bluff, Utah, this is a good picnic spot on Highway 191 between Monument Valley and the Moab area. It offers a nice panel of petroglyph, as well as a boat launch for those floating the San Juan River. If you do happen to have a boat, on the opposite side of the river are several cliff dwellings worth exploring. At one point there was a bridge, but it hasn't been rebuilt yet.

Monument Valley - While not exactly a site of ancient indian dwellings, Monument Valley is part of the homeland of the regions descendants. The spectacular beauty of the area speaks for itself, and it make a good stop over on your journey to Mesa Verde, or Indian Ruins found farther south on the Navajo Reservation.

Mesa Verde National Park - In my mind, Mesa Verde represents the crown jewel of the ruins that remain in the Southwest, given their number, size, and well-preserved nature . Located near Cortez, CO, Mesa Verde is a good site to combine in a trip to other ruins in the Four Corners area, in particular those on the Navajo Reservation and Chaco and Aztec Pueblo sites in New Mexico.

Canyon De Chelly - located on the Navajo Reservation in northeastern Arizona, Canyon De Chelly is a unit of the National Park System and is protected as the cultural heartland of the Navajo and the location of several ancient ruins.

Navajo National Monument - preserves three highly intact cliff dwellings. The cliff dwellings include Keet Seel Betatakin, and the "Inscription House". Inscription House is currently closed to the public. Like Canyon De Chelly, the monument is located on the Navajo Reservation.

Montezuma Castle National Monument - While a ways from the other sites in the Four Corners Region, this site between Flagstaff and Phoenix is definitely worth a visit, especially if Phoenix is your starting point.

Tuzigoot National Monument - As with Montezuma's castle, if your coming from the Phoenix area, this is worth a stop over. The monument preserves the ancient remains of a Puebloan village on top of a hill. Its just south of Flagstaff and west of the world famous Sedona area.

Wupatki National Monument - 800 years ago, Wupatki pueblo was the largest pueblo in the world. Its well preserve ruins are a real treat, and is just north of Flagstaff.

Tonto National Monument - Located east of Phoenix off highway 188, this monument protects a well preserved cliff dwelling.

Aztec Ruins National Monument - protects a group of ancient Puebloan structures. It is located northeast of Farmington in the northwest corner of New Mexico. If you are planning to visit Chaco Canyon, and/or Mesa Verde it is worth including this site.

Chaco Canyon National Monument - Chaco Canyon represents a focal point of ancient Indian culture (Anasazi) in the Southwest . While its ruins are not as visually stunning as Mesa Verde, its religious, cultural and scientific significance are only matched by the ancient cultures of the Maya, Aztecs and Inca in Latin America.

Bandelier National Monument - Located outside Los Alamos, this monument protects a number of ancient pueblos, kivas, and other ancient indian structured carved out of the soft volcanic tuff that characterizes Frijoles Canyon, where the majority of preserved sites are located.

19 Pueblos - Scattered across New Mexico, offering a mix of the ancient and modern day are 19 inhabited Pueblos. Each represents an independent nation with its own laws and customs. Some are open to visitors, others are open on ceremonial days, and others are completely closed to outsiders. Some of the better known include the Taos, Zuni, Acoma, and Jemez, pueblos. The majority of pueblos are located in north central New Mexico between Albuquerque, and Taos. For more information visit: Pueblos - Wikipedia

Petroglyph National Monument- Located just west of Albuquerque, the monument protects nearly 24,000 carved images of Native American Art.

Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument- This park is a bit off the beaten path, in comparison to other site in New Mexico, or the Southwest, but if you have the time, head down to Silver City from Albuquerque, and then head north to the end of Highway 15. The are quite a few ghost towns, and active mines in the area that might make a nice fit of the old and ancient west.