Discover For Yourself - Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

BLM's Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is located in southwest Colorado. Peppered with more than 9,300 archaeological sites representing Ancestral Puebloan and other Native American cultures, Canyons of the Ancients is a gem of the BLM's National Conservation Lands. Neighboring the National Park Service's Mesa Verde National Park and Hovenweep National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients is woven into the rich cultural tapestry of the famed Four Corners region. Canyons of the Ancients is off the beaten path, an "outdoor museum" offering a primitive exploration experience. Artifacts, rock art, middens and cliff dwellings tell a profound story, giving visitors a glimpse of what ancient life was like there. It is a sacred place and a source of pride for Native communities in the area. It is also an archetype of BLM's multiple-use mission, where uses like CO2 development, livestock grazing and recreation are responsibly managed in balance with cultural resource protection.