1 | Trail of the Ancients

Length: 116 miles. Driving time: 3 hours.
Designated a National Scenic Byway

 This byway wanders remote parts of Utah, Arizona, and Colorado, connecting some of the nation’s richest archaeological sites. In Colorado, it follows U.S. Highway 491 from Pleasant View to Cortez, where it joins U.S. 160 heading south past the Ute Mountain Reservation and west to Four Corners Monument. Back country spurs access sites off the main highway.

This federally designated National Scenic Byway program recommends five days to explore this area. High points are listed below:

• Hovenweep National Monument
• Edge of the Cedars State Park and Museum
• Butler Wash and Mule Canyon Indian ruins
• Natural Bridges National Monument
• Grand Gulch Primitive Area
• Valley of the Gods
• Gooseneck State Park
• Monument Valley Tribal Park
• Three Kiva Pueblo
• Four Corners Monument