Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Over 8,300 documented archaeological sites dot the 176,000 acres of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, establishing it as the area with the highest known density of such sites in the United States. Located in southwestern Colorado’s Four Corners region, this public land preserves a cultural landscape shaped by Ancestral Puebloan cultures over more than 12,000 years. The terrain features a rich variety of structures including villages, kivas, field houses, cliff dwellings, petroglyphs, and ancient roadways. Estimates suggest that over 30,000 additional sites remain yet to be recorded within these canyons and mesas. The Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum serves as a central hub for visitors, offering exhibits and trail information to contextualize the region's heritage. The land remains a living landscape, actively used for traditional purposes, recreation, hunting, and livestock grazing. Visitors exploring the desert terrain are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles to protect these unique resources.