A Guide to Recreation in the Four Corners AreaPlaces to Get Tourist Information Arizona Arizona Visiting Indian CommunitiesWhen visiting Indian communities, please be courteous. Remember that people live here and their homes are not public places. Do not take photographs without permission. When observing dances and ceremonials, do not interrupt the participants, and applause is not always appropriate. Remember each tribe has its own rules and traditions. Please inquire about local customs. Protection of Our HeritageAncient ruins, artifacts, fossils and historic remains are fragile and irreplaceable. It is unlawful to injure, destroy, excavate or remove any historic or prehistoric ruin, artifact or object of antiquity on the public lands of the United States. YOU CAN HELP: • Before entering a site, THINK. Consider how you can minimize your impact. • Remain on designated trails. • Stone walls are fragile. Don't sit, climb or lean on them. • Moisture and oil from your hands can destroy ancient surfaces. Don't touch plaster, wood, paint, and even stone and rock art. • Leave artifacts in place. Moving them disturbs the archaeological or historical record. • Don't camp on or in ruins. • Don't leave trash, "offerings" or other personal items at sites. • You can adopt a site: Contact appropriate agency office. Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Places to Get Tourist InformationArizona Office Of Tourism Page/Lake Powell Visitor & Convention Bureau Navajoland Tourism Department Colorado Travel and Tourism Authority Southwest Colorado Travel Region Mesa Verde Country Visitor Information Bureau Durango Area Chamber and Resort Association New Mexico Department of Tourism Farmington Convention and Visitor Bureau New Mexico State Parks Utah Travel Council San Juan County Multi-Agency Visitors Center Edge of the Cedars Museum Moab Information Center AttractionsNortheast Arizona is a vast land marked by towering red rock formations, spectacular canyons, desert grandeur, sapphire blue lakes and green forest mountains. This is Indian Country, a place where ancient Americans once lived and the rich and diverse heritages of the contemporary Navajo, Hopi and White Mountain Apache American Indians can be experienced. Traveling the byways in this area will guide the visitor to a variety of man-made wonders such as Lake Powell and Glen Canyon Dam. From the spectacular sheer walls of Canyon de Chelly National Monument with its prehistoric cliff dwellings and Navajo residents, to the Hopi village of Araibi, the oldest inhabited community in the U.S., the visitor to Northeast Arizona will truly experience a region that will inspire their senses. With numerous historic sites, tribal and national parks and monuments, there are many opportunities for learning about this spectacular area's history and landscape. NAVAJO NATIONAL MONUMENT: Ancestors of today's Hopi built a number of impressive cliff dwellings approximately 700 years ago. GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA: The Glen Canyon Dam has created a lake of unusual beauty. Lake Powell, 186 miles long, extends into Utah. The dam and power plant tours begin at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. Lake Powell has five marinas: Hall's Crossing, Hite, Bullfrog, Dangling Rope and Wahweap serve the visitor on Utah's Lake Powell with fishing, boat rentals, camping and lodging. Boat tours to Rainbow Bridge. GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK: The Colorado has cut a "grand" canyon over 280 miles long, 18 miles wide and over a mile deep. South Rim has museums, visitor center and complete tourist facilities. The higher elevation North Rim is less crowded and closed in the winter. WUPATKI, SUNSET CRATER, ELDEN PUEBLO: Visitor center, overlook and picnic area. Sunset Crater volcano erupted 900 years ago leaving a lava flow trail and spatter cones. Elden Pueblo is a 13th-century Sinagua pueblo on the outskirts of Flagstaff. HOPI MESAS: Home of Hopi villages, Awatobi Ruins, Oraibi the oldest continuously inhabited community in America. Trading posts, ceremonies and dances open to visitors with tribal permission. CANYON DE CHELLY NATIONAL MONUMENT: Shelters prehistoric cliff houses. Guided tours through primitive areas. Campground, picnic area, restaurant, lodge and hotel. HUBBELL TRADING POST NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE: Founded in 1876, is the oldest trading post on the Navajo Reservation. It is still actively doing business. Guided tour, craftsmen at work. WINDOW ROCK: Capitol of the Navajo Nation. Site of Tse Bonito, the only Indian Zoological Park. Navajo Tribal Museum is located here. PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK and PAINTED DESERT: The park protects quantities of highly colored petrified wood. A scenic drive that overlooks the Painted Desert will take you past the largest wood deposits and pueblo ruins. Museum, picnic area, restaurant and visitor center. CASA MALPAIS: A National Historic Landmark representing one of the largest and most complex Mogollon communities. Southwest Colorado is the most diverse scenic and cultural region in the state. The San Juan Skyway, a National Forest and Colorado designated scenic and historic byway takes the visitor through 236 miles of majestic mountains, alpine forests, historic mining towns, cattle ranches and prehistoric Indian ruins. The route travels state-maintained highways through the San Juan Mountains, connecting five national historic districts. Other highlights of this route include breathtaking rides on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Mesa Verde National Park, guided tours into the Ute Mountain Tribal Park, the Southern Ute Museum in Ignacio, the world class Anasazi Heritage Center with the area's largest collection of prehistoric Indian artifacts, the historic Ouray Hot Springs Pool, and Telluride's Bridal Veil waterfall, Colorado's highest. In the evenings you can enjoy Indian dancers and storytellers in Cortez, melodramas in Durango, or a variety of cultural and nightlife entertainment throughout the region. PAGOSA SPRINGS: Home to one of the world's hottest mineral springs. Pagosa is located between two national wilderness areas with breathtaking scenery. CHIMNEY ROCK ARCHAEOLOGICAL AREA: Nestled between two inspiring rock pinnacles, this area is one of the most unique Anasazi archaeological sites. Located southwest of Pagosa Springs and open only for guided tours--970/264-2268. DURANGO and SILVERTON NARROW GAUGE: Historic steam-powered train operates year-round with a spectacular 45-mile run to the mining town of Silverton, a national historic district and landmark. Advance reservations recommended. MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK: Tour ancient Pueblo Indian cliff dwellings, including Cliff Palace, home of the Anasazi, "the ancient ones." Lodging, camping, tours and restaurants available in the Park. UTE MOUNTAIN UTE TRIBAL PARK: Hundreds of Anasazi cliff dwelling and surface pueblos. Tours by approved guides, by reservation only, start 25 miles South of Cortez. Contact Tribal Park, Towaoc 81334, 800-847-5485. HOVENWEEP NATIONAL MONUMENT and LOWRY PUEBLO RUIN: Seven groups of Indian ruins preserved from the Anasazi culture. Self-guided tours 42 miles Southwest of Cortez. Camping and day hiking. OURAY: Known as the Switzerland of America, this national historic district has spectacular waterfalls and a hot springs first used by the Ute Indians for spiritual and medicinal purposes. Hot springs open year-round. BLACK CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT: No other canyon in North America combines the depth, narrowness, and sheerness of this area. With abundant wild flowers and wildlife, this is truly a monument to our natural heritage. Camping. COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT: Red rock towers and canyons southwest of Grand Junction. Camping, hiking, climbing. Northwest New Mexico is truly the "Land of Enchantment," where the past and present live side by side. Home to prehistoric Anasazi archaeological ruins, Spanish culture and contemporary Indian tribes, this area offers the visitor a rich touring experience. Amid the beauty of this high-desert plateau, the Navajo, Jicarilla Apache, numerous Pueblos, and Spanish cultures have profoundly influenced the heritage of this region. Almost a thousand years ago, the inhabitants of modern-day Chaco Culture National Historic Park built impressive multi-storied pueblos and roads connecting other villages, such as Aztec Ruins National Monument and Salmon Ruins near Bloomfield. In Farmington, experience award-winning outdoor summer theater featuring Anasazi, the Ancient Ones. Totah Festival Indian Marketplace, rug auction and pow-wow highlight Labor Day weekend. At Gallup's annual Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, tribes from all over North America perform dances and exhibit native arts and crafts. With museums, cultural centers and Native American events, visitors will appreciate the enchanted heritage of Northwest New Mexico. PUEBLO OF ZUNI: Old and modern pueblo dwellings of Zuni Indians known for their fine silver and turquoise jewelry. EL MORRO NATIONAL MONUMENT: Commemorates the passage of Spanish conquistadors and ancient pueblo villages. Camping. EL MALPAIS NATIONAL MONUMENT: Wilderness lava flows support ice caves, a pine forest and enclaves of quaking aspens. Primitive camping and day hiking. CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK: Contains the largest excavated prehistoric ruins in North America. Open daily. Camping. BISTI BADLANDS WILDERNESS: A federal wilderness area of strange geologic features and fossils. Large petrified logs and fossil plants among many scenic and colorful landforms. Primitive camping and day hiking. SHIPROCK PINNACLE: Sacred to the Navajo who call it Tse Bit'ta'i, "rock with wings." The monument rises 1,700 feet off the desert floor and is visible 100 miles away. SAN JUAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTER AND LIBRARY AT SALMON RUIN: One of the largest outlying colonies built in the Chacoan style during the 11th century. Heritage Park with hands-on activities. ANGEL PEAK: Forty million-year-old geologic formation. Trails, overlooks and camping. AZTEC RUINS NATIONAL MONUMENT: Self-guided trail through the 500-room pueblo and great kiva--the largest fully reconstructed kiva on the North American Continent. Open daily. Picnic area. NAVAJO LAKE STATE PARK: Boating, swimming, water-skiing and excellent fishing. Two hundred miles of shoreline fed by two rivers. Visitor center, large marina, paved boat launching, rental boats, marine supplies and related services. Camping facilities and primitive camping area. CUMBRES and TOLTEC SCENIC RAILROAD: America's longest and highest narrow-gauge. Excursions daily and overnight between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO. June to October. Southeast Utah is beautiful red rock canyon country and towering mountains. Home to Navajo and Ute American Indians and pioneering, ranching and farming families, this area also was home to the prehistoric Anasazi Indians who built communities throughout the Four Corners region. Traveling the Trail of the Ancients byway offers the visitor many opportunities to view these prehistoric cultural resources among some of the most spectacular landscapes. From Hovenweep and Natural Bridges National Monuments to the historic Town of Bluff, the visitor will find one of the greatest concentrations of archaeological sites, Indian cultural artifacts, and interpretations of this region's pioneer heritage. Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Arches and thousands of acres of public lands provide numerous recreation opportunities and a diverse vacation experience. Southeastern Utah is a mecca for mountain biking enthusiasts who view the wealth of backcountry roads and slick rock as an irresistible opportunity for scenic year-round exploration. Two events, the Blue Mountain Bike Chase and the Moab Fat Tire Festival attract bikers from all over the nation. ARCHES NATIONAL PARK: The world's largest concentration of natural stone arches is found in Arches National Park. Over 500 have been discovered in this 73,000-acre area. Entrance to the park is three miles north of Moab. The visitor center and campground are open year-round. DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK: An almost isolated mesa offers a spectacular view of the La Sal Mountains and Canyonlands National Park. Visitor center, museum and campgrounds 32 miles northwest of Moab. CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK: Thousands of feet down to whitewater rapids of the Green and Colorado rivers or thousands of feet up to red rock pinnacles, cliffs and spires, these perspectives and endless others create the incredible beauty of Utah's largest national park. Major entrances to the park are 29 miles northwest of Moab and 50 miles northwest of Monticello. There are two campgrounds. CANYON RIMS RECREATION AREA: Highlighted by two spectacular vistas of Canyonlands country: the Needles and Anticline overlooks. Two BLM campgrounds complete with water, grills, toilets and picnic tables. Turn off U.S. 191 20 miles north of Monticello or 34 miles south of Moab. NEWSPAPER ROCK BLM RECREATION AREA: Displays of petroglyphs spanning 1,000 years and covering three distinctive periods. Twenty-six miles north of Monticello on Highway U-211. BLUE MOUNTAINS: Just west of Monticello or north of Blanding. Follow a paved then graded road through the Manti-La Sal National Forest to spectacular views, lakes and campgrounds. EDGE OF THE CEDARS STATE PARK: Located in Blanding. The museum is built adjacent to the site of a reconstructed Anasazi Indian ruin. The Trail of the Ancients begins here. NATURAL BRIDGES NATIONAL MONUMENT: Site of the largest display of natural stone bridges anywhere in the world. Located 42 miles west of Blanding, the Monument has a campground, visitors center and hiking. GOOSENECKS STATE PARK: With a view of four tight goosenecks on the San Juan River at the bottom of a sheer 1,100 foot canyon. Located eight miles north of Mexican Hat. MONUMENT VALLEY: Often called the Eighth Natural Wonder of the World. Magnificent red rock formations in the Navajo Tribal Park. A 14-mile tourist loop dirt road begins and ends at the Visitor Center within the Tribal Park. Site of John Ford and John Wayne westerns. Tours, campgrounds, motel and restaurant. |
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