Last updated on .

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument consists of over 176,000 acres of federal land protecting nearly 6,400 archaeological sites in southwest Colorado. The monument, which was created on June 9, 2000, has the highest archaeological density of any region in the United States and encompasses a few sections of Hovenweep National Monument.

 

Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum

The best place to start a visit to the monument is at the Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum near the town of Dolores. Adult admission is US$7 per person (as of September 2024) or free for holders of any interagency pass. Children 16 and under are free. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from March through November and Wednesday through Saturday the rest of the year.

Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum
Museum at Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Museum

The museum contains excellent interactive exhibits. Displays include pottery, stone tools, and other artifacts excavated from archaeological sites in the monument .

Pottery at Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Pottery
Pottery at Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Pottery
Museum at Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Museum

One of the highlights is a replica pithouse showing how a typical Puebloan household would have been furnished. Two short films are also available to watch.

Pithouse at Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Pithouse
Pithouse at Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Pithouse

 

Dominguez Pueblo

Just outside the museum is the small Dominguez Pueblo, which was made up of four rooms and housed one or two families. It was built around 1123.

Dominguez Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Dominguez Pueblo

 

Escalante Pueblo

The short Escalante Trail starts at the visitor center and takes hikers up a ½ mile paved trail to the top of a hill. At the top are the ruins of the Escalante Pueblo, which was built in the middle of the 12th century.

Escalante Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Escalante Pueblo
Escalante Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Escalante Pueblo
Escalante Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Escalante Pueblo

There are also fantastic views of the region, including the McPhee Reservoir.

McPhee Reservoir from Escalante Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
McPhee Reservoir
McPhee Reservoir from Escalante Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
McPhee Reservoir
View from the top of the hill from Escalante Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
View from the top of the hill

 

Lowry Pueblo

As far as archaeological sites to visit, there are three major sites: Lowry Pueblo, Sand Canyon Pueblo, and Painted Hand Pueblo. All three sites have free admission (as of September 2024). We visited Lowry Pueblo, which is the most developed for visitors. It includes several excellent interpretive panels and a picnic area.

Lowry Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Lowry Pueblo

Lowry Pueblo was built around 1060 and was inhabited for about 165 years. It was excavated between 1930 and 1936.

Lowry Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Lowry Pueblo
Lowry Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Lowry Pueblo
Lowry Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Lowry Pueblo

The original pueblo consisted of four rooms and a kiva, and was expanded to over 40 rooms and four kivas.

Kiva at Lowry Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Kiva
Lowry Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Lowry Pueblo

A short path leads to the great kiva, which was used for ceremonies and as a community center. The stone features on the floor have been interpreted as winter people and summer people.

Path to the great kiva at Lowry Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Path to the great kiva
Looking back at Lowry Pueblo at Lowry Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Looking back at Lowry Pueblo
Great kiva at Lowry Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Great kiva
Great kiva at Lowry Pueblo at Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado
Great kiva

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

Write A Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Jump To