Canyons of the Ancients protects a landscape full of ancient sites

West of Cortez, the dry mesas and canyons hold the traces of people who lived here long ago. Much of that ground is Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and it is known for a high concentration of archaeological sites, from small structures to village-sized ruins. Nearby, the Colorado units of Hovenweep National Monument are run by the National Park Service.

This is real public land you can visit, but it is not a developed park with paved loops and railings. Many sites are remote, reached by rough roads, with little signage or water. Just as important, these places are protected by law. Walls, artifacts, and rock art are fragile and not to be touched, climbed on, moved, or collected. What looks like a loose pottery shard is part of a record that belongs where it lies.

Why this matters for anyone living near or hosting guests in Montezuma County: the right way to enjoy this landscape is to learn before you go, stay on routes, and leave everything in place. That care is what keeps these sites here for the next person.

Plan a respectful visit using the official BLM monument page and the National Park Service for Hovenweep.