A Canyon Country Guide to Anasazi Indian Ruins

One of the most popular and fascinating features of the southwest's Canyon Country is the remains of the prehistoric Anasazi Indian civilization. The Anasazi thrived in the region for nearly 1,000 years leaving evidence of their extraordinary masonry talents everywhere. The zenith of the Anasazi culture was reached in Chaco Canyon during the years 900-1100 A.D. The gigantic pueblos of Chaco rival the other great works of the ancient world, such as those of the Mayas and Incas. By the year 1300, the Anasazi had abandoned the entire region, generally moving into the Rio Grande Valley of northern New Mexico. This departure has long been one of the southwest's great mysteries and has been the subject of intense research and speculation for generations.

Using the Interactive Map

Place your mouse pointer on any item number (in purple) on the map. A brief description will appear. Click on the number for a link to detailed information below, including related links.

The domain of the early Anasazi was the drainage system of the San Juan River which runs roughly east to west before emptying into the Colorado River (now Lake Powell). At first living as hunter-gathers, the Anasazi started building "pithouses" around the years 300-600 A.D. These were essentially holes in the ground with coverings. A few scant remains of pithouses may be viewed at Mesa Verde National Park. Subsequently, the Anasazi learned to cultivate crops such as beans and corn, and this led to a more settled life style with the need and desire for better and more permanent housing. Mesa-top pueblos were the norm by 800 A.D. As the Anasazi developed their amazing masonry skills, the pueblos got ever bigger and more complex, culminating in the great pueblos of Chaco Canyon. Pueblo Bonito (above), completed around 1100 A.D., was the largest building in North America until the late 19th century. The cliff dwellings, which are the most famous of the Anasazi structures, were built and occupied during the final years of their occupation of the San Juan region, roughly 1250-1300 A.D. After 1300, all traces of Anasazi occupation cease here, but begin to be found in the Rio Grande region in places such as Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos, New Mexico.

This page provides a guide to the major Anasazi-related sites in Canyon Country accessible to the public. Each site is unique both in the nature of the structures and the physical locale. All are extremely scenic. We have been to all these places (except Horseshoe Canyon) so feel free to email us your questions.

Anasazi Indian Ruins

1. Wupatki National Monument. Located in an arid high desert region just north of Flagstaff, the monument contains a variety of mesa top ruins which are a blend of Anasazi and Sinaguan culture. The area was occupied after Sunset Crater's peak exploded in 1064-5 A.D. The subsequent ash cover greatly increased soil fertility. The principal pueblo, Wupatki, has features not seen elsewhere in Anasazi country: a huge amphitheater which resembles a great kiva but without any ceremonial structures. Also, a ballcourt which is a Hohokam influence from southern Arizona and originally Mexico. Adjacent Sunset Crater National Monument offers views of numerous volcanic peaks. National Park Service Info
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2. Walnut Canyon National Monument. Located in a steep and hidden canyon just east of Flagstaff, this settlement was built in the early 1100's by Sinaguan people emigrating from Wupatki and using Anasazi building techniques. The steep hillside has many overhangs, and the resulting alcoves made ideal rooms once the fronts were bricked over. With lush vegetation, water, plentiful game, and arable fields, the inhabitants were thought to have had a prosperous existence here for almost 200 years. National Park Service Info
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3. Homolovi Ruins State Park. Located just off Interstate-40 about an hour east of Flagstaff. This state park protects four very large pueblo sites which might be considered late Anasazi or early Hopi. The area was believed occupied from 1200 to 1400 A.D. The area is very rich in relics, and archaeologists continue to work here in the summer. Also, the park has an excellent campground with hookups. Arizona State Parks Info
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4. Petrified Forest National Park. While the focus of the park is the petrified wood, the area is rich in ruin sites as well as rock art. There are several exhibits, the most unusual being the Agate House, a restoration of a small pueblo built entirely with petrified wood! National Park Service Info
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5. Canyon de Chelly National Monument. One of the most scenic canyons in the southwest, Canyon de Chelly has sustained and sheltered humans for more than two thousand years. The Rio de Chelly is a perennial stream which usually floods in the spring creating a very lush canyon bottom. Today, it is cultivated by Navajo farmers. The canyon was occupied by Anaszi from 1050-1300 A.D. Remains of their magnificent cliff dwellings are found throughout the canyon, the most famous being the White House Ruins. Also, many Anasazi and Navajo rock art panels. Interesting tours are provided by Navajo guides in converted six-wheel-drive World War II trucks. National Park Service Info
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6. El Morro National Monument. The ruins of the village, Atsinna, sit atop El Morro mesa. The site was occupied by ancestors of the Zuni people during the 13th century. The permanent oasis has been a focal point of life for millenia. Relics of ancient Paleo and Archaic hunters are found throughout the area. El Morro Rock has been a signing post starting with prehistoric Indians, Spanish conquistadors, 19th century American pioneers, and even modern day grafitti artists (illegaly). A beautiful oasis rich in history. National Park Service Info. (Click on the photo right to enlarge. You will see a Spanish signature dated 1717 above the ancient petroglyph, near the top.)

The Acoma Pueblo, or "Sky City", is a short distance east on Interstate-40. Located on a steep, isolated mesa, Acoma has been continuously inhabited for nearly 800 years and is one of the oldest (continuously inhabited) towns in North America. It is fascinating to see an ancient looking pueblo with modern windows and doors. The Catholic church, dating from the 1600's, is beautiful. Guided tours only, restrictions on photography. Tours are arranged at the Acoma Pueblo Museum. Local residents often will be selling their unique and famous pottery nearby.
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7. Chaco Culture National Historic Park. Chaco Canyon was the cultural and religious center of the Anasazi civilization for hundreds of years. At its peak in the tenth century, the canyon contained gigantic pueblos with hundreds of rooms, giant kivas including the great Casa Rinconada, sophisticated agricultural systems, as well as scientific structures related to mathematics and astronomy. There was also an amazing system of roads (which can still be detected from space) and "outliers" (suburbs). For the serious student of prehistoric Indian culture, Chaco is the "must-see" place. The environment is very stark high desert. Access is by many miles of dirt road and is easier from the north. The only accommodation is a campground. National Park Service Info
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8. Aztec Ruins National Monument. This large pueblo (about 500 rooms) was a major outlier of Chaco Canyon. The ancient road to Chaco is still discernible. As at Chaco Canyon evidence of two occupations is visible (different building techniques). After the Chacoan people abandoned the area in the 12th century, the pueblo was reoccupied by Mesa Verde people migrating southward during the 13th century. The west wing of the pueblo has been fully restored, and the walk-through gives you a feel for pueblo life. Also, the great kiva has been fully restored, including its top, and offers a unique experience. The environment is lush and riparian, adjacent to the perennial Animas River. National Park Service Info
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9. Mesa Verde National Park. Mesa Verde is perhaps the most well known Indian cultural park in the United States. The main attraction is the many elaborate cliff dwellings in the area. The largest, and most famous, is called the Cliff Palace. Mesa Verde was one of the three centers of early Anasazi culture, the other two being Chaco to the south and the Kayenta branch in Arizona. The area has been occupied for nearly 2,000 years. The park features mesa top pueblos and pit houses (dating from perhaps 600 a.d.) as well as the cliff dwellings which were built and occupied only during the final few decades of Anasazi occupation in the 13th century. There is also an excellent museum. Many ranger-guided tours are available including the famous Balcony House tour. The drive up to the mesa is extremely scenic. The mesa tops out at over 8,000 feet so its wooded, very green (verde means green), and cool. Access and activities limited in winter. National Park Service Info
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10. Hovenweep National Monument. The monument protects six groups of highly unusual Anasazi ruins scattered in a high desert area broken by box canyons (shallow but steep walled). The remote and undeveloped nature of the area offers a unique experience and perhaps a perspective into the ancient world. The Anasazi lived here from about 1100-1300 a.d. While related to the Mesa Verde Anasazi, the Hovenweep people added their own unique touch to their buildings, having a penchant for towers and massive castle-like structures. And in varied shapes that included square, rectangular, round, and D-shaped! There is a campground and small visitor center. National Park Service Info
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11. Grand Gulch Primitive Area. Grand Gulch is one of the finest cultural and recreational resources on the Colorado Plateau. It winds for fifty miles before reaching the San Juan River. The lush canyon is ideal for backpacking and pack trips. And it is full of Anasazi relics. Remnants of small dwellings are scattered throughout Grand Gulch. But a big feature is the fabulous rock art, for the most part colorful painted pictographs. This is an unsupervised environment so you get to enjoy these relics in a private and natural setting. Please be aware that you are being trusted with irreplaceable things. Look but do not touch!! You do need a permit to enter this area. Grand Gulch & Cedar Mesa - Bureau of Land Management Info
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12. Canyonlands National Park. The Canyonlands region is rich in small scale Anasazi ruins and rock art. One of the most famous sites is Newspaper Rock adjacent to the Needles District. The large flat rock wall is literally covered by petroglyphs. If you are a backpacker, you will be able to reach the famous "All American Man" pictograph on Salt Creek. National Park Service Info

At the nearby town of Blanding, the Edge of the Cedars State Park offers a partially excavated pueblo and a small museum.
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13. Canyonlands National Park - Horseshoe Canyon. The Great Gallery of Horseshoe Canyon is considered the finest rock art panel in America. While this area was the domain of the Fremont people during the Anasazi era, the rock art is much more ancient. The style, which is considered very spiritual and mystical, is known as "Barrier Canyon" and is associated with the Archaic Indians during the years 2000 b.c. to 500 a.d. Relics in the area have been dated to 9000 b.c. Access is via 30 miles of dirt road, then several miles of pretty tough hiking into the canyon. National Park Service Info
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14. Anasazi Indian Village State Historical Monument. Located in the remote town of Boulder, Utah, this site offers an excavated Anasazi village and a museum. It is unusual because the village was established around 1075 a.d. by Kayenta Anasazi migrating up from the south. The area offered fertile land, plentiful water, and good climate. The village prospered for nearly 200 years and became a crossroads of Anasazi and Fremont culture. The village burned in 1275. The cause is not known nor is the whereabouts of the residents after the village was destroyed. State of Utah Info (click on "Places to See", then "State Parks")
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15. Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. The Glen Canyon, Lake Powell, and Escalante areas are rich in Anasazi sites. If you go backpacking or rent a houseboat make local inquiry with the ranger about visiting cultural sites. National Park Service Info
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16. Navajo National Monument. The monument preserves the heritage of the Kayenta Anasazi in two of the finest known cliff dwellings. Betatakin is known for its beautiful setting in a huge alcove in a lush, watered canyon. Keet Seel is the best preserved of all cliff dwellings. The section most protected by the cave overhang is completely intact, including the roofs. You will see how it looked when the inhabitants lived here. Visitation is by ranger-led tour only, and is extremely restricted. Also, Keet Seel requires an eight mile hike each way. A must-see for all Anasazi aficionados. National Park Service Info
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17. Hopi Reservation. The Hopi people believe they are descended from the Anasazi. Their ancient mesa top village of Old Oraibi rivals Acoma as the oldest (continuously inhabited) town in the country. Be aware that the Hopi people are reclusive, and there are numerous restrictions on visitors (including a ban on photography). Please respect their privacy. Contact the Hopi Cultural Center at Second Mesa, Arizona, if you are interested in visiting the reservation.
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18. Ute Mountain Tribal Park. The Ute Mountain Tribal Park in southwestern Colorado was created to preserve significant remnants of the Ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) people, including spectacular cliff dwellings and rock art. Access to the park which is along the Mancos River and tributary canyons - and adjacent to Mesa Verde National Park - is by guided tour only.

The Ute Mountain Tribal Park tours are highly recommended to anyone who is interested in cliff dwellings or any aspect of Ancestral Pueblo culture. The quality of the experience is similar to Keet Seel in Arizona's Navajo National Monument, which is generally considered to be the best preserved and most pristine of all Anasazi cliff dwellings. However the hiking and general effort of the all-day tour is quite a bit more strenuous than activities at Mesa Verde National Park. For information on making a tour reservation, contact the Ute Mountain Tribal Park Visitor Center & Museum.
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