The National Parks of the Great American Southwest are bursting with “the people of long ago” historic ruins. Called “the people of long ago” by First Nation People, and also termed the Fremont Culture by historians, this civilization once thrived. Now, we can explore what was left behind; astounding remnants that remind us of the long timeline of human history. And nothing beats history class like an adventure through nature. For the natural wonders of the region, read here. But this post is mainly dedicated to all things historical.
Walnut Canyon National Monument in Arizona
First, we randomly stumbled across Walnut Canyon National Monument, basically a phantom canyon village. The adventure involves taking hundreds of stairs down into a peaceful canyon. Along the entire developed path are ancient cliff dwellings that you can actually walk inside. This is a pretty big deal, because most of the region’s cliff dwellings are off-limits or a far-away view. It is an epic make-believe imagination landscape for kids, right on an easy path.
Needless to say, we were able to skip our daughter’s 4th grade Oak Meadows assignment of merely drawing a cliff dwelling on paper. For our super active van kids, it is much better to actually go inside the cliff dwelling. Once again, we find that anything that takes real effort is definitely worth it in the end.
Montezuma Castle National Monument in Arizona
It was a breeze to stop next at Montezuma Castle National Monument, named for a castle in the sky. There we listened to a diorama description about how ancient cliff dwelling families were really much like us, with efficient and creative endevaors.
But, warning, it’s already super hot even in early May, and for those who get cranky in the heat, it’s a quick stop. As for the ancient cliff dwellers, they needed, and had, a pretty miraculously climate controlled home. Next trip, in the cold months, we will also check out Montezuma Well, considered a sacred site by local tribes. Exploring ancient history is always a reminder of how truly a human life is a blip on the timeline.
Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico
Aztec Ruins National Monument was an intentionally planned stop, simply because of the name. Our older daughter was learning about the Aztec culture for her ancient history class. Turns out, the name is completely misleading, as the Aztec never conquered this far north. The reason why it is called Aztec is because the Pueblo people called their ancestors’ sacred sites “Aztec.”
What you will find here is no less fascinating, even if it an ancestral Pueblo great house with a Great Kiva, a circular gathering space, where whispers of ancient ceremonies still permeate. Stay on the walking path, and climb through ancient T-shaped doorways into cool rooms with bat friends. Another reminder of how ancient people thrived and found meaning in their lives.
The Four Corners National Parks Patch
The Four Corners National Parks, again, really impressed upon us how humans lived and thrived in a very different system than the one we have now. Some of the pueblos were much bigger than our tiny off-grid tiny cabin. It reminds us that as humans, having a roof over our heads used to mean something very different than being forced into banking servitude.
Once we visited Aztec Ruins National Monument it is a must to explore either Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado or Chaco Culture National Park in New Mexico. Visiting 2 of the 3 earns the kids a Four Corners Junior Ranger Patch. We were told Chaco Culture National Park required 30+ miles of driving on a rough dirt road, and was off-route for us. So off to Mesa Verde it was, and what a find, ancient cliff castles towering in the sky, an ancient life beyond imagination, with the park totaling over 600 historic ruins.
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado
No exaggeration, Mesa Verde National Park is a sacred place. We could not have fathomed there was a natural wonder place in the United States that held over 600 cliff dwellings, many spectacularly displayed in sky-reaching alcoves, and even an astronomy temple. So spectacular is this place that it was one of the first World Heritage Sites in the United States.
A huge plus, was Mesa Verde National Park had one of the easiest camping finds we’ve ever experienced inside a National Park. First, the elevation is a luscious reprieve from the heat of the lower elevation surroundings. Second, no fighting crowds! A Ranger told us that the Morefield Campground has spaces available last-minute pretty much year-round. We forgot to go on recreation.gov many months in advance, so did mostly KOA camping, but for a moment were happy campers at Morefield Campground.
Bring History Class to Life
This trip embodied the truth that if you seek, you shall find. And that we did, more than we could have imagined! The Southwest has it all, in its cliff dwellings, pueblos, earth rainbows, petroglyphs, pictographs, and ancient castles. It seems there is endless opportunity for history brought to life at every step in this region. We tried to focus on the Four Corners region, but there was so much to learn and explore. This region truly is a National Park lover’s dream. On this trip we focused on ancient civilizations. It is an understatement to say this region will thrill you with its finds.
Find our previous National Park roadtrips in different regions like the Upper Midwest, with more to come.
