Trail of the Ancients

State: Utah, Colorado
Length: 366 mi / 589 km
Time to Allow: 6 hours to drive, or several days to explore

This scenic byway gets its name from the various ancient Native American civilizations that made their home along its trail. Winding its way along the Utah/Colorado border, visitors can learn more about the Anasazi, or ancient Puebloan Native Americans that made their home in the region. Not only does this byway take you along some of the most fascinating historic sights through the southern United States, but it also takes you straight through several state parks and national monuments, making it ideal for anyone who is a history buff, or those looking to get a better appreciation for what it took for ancient peoples to live in the often unforgiving landscape of Utah.

Hovenweep National Monument is a striking stop along this byway. Once home to more than 2,500 people, this location features manmade structures that have been around since as far back as 1200 CE, as a testament to both the ingenuity of early peoples as well as a well-preserved look into the past. This location features several hiking trails that take you through the incredible structures that make up this monument, as well as show off the sweeping vistas that make this location so iconic. It is worth noting that this part of Utah is dry and incredibly warm, and visitors should prepare for temperatures upwards of 100ºF (37.7ºC). Those adventurous visitors can plan their stop for later in the evening, and enjoy some of the best stargazing in the country.

This trail is home to countless national monuments and locations of interest, including everything from Native American ruins to Monument Valley Tribal Park, which allows visitors to learn more about modern Navajo culture, as well as explore ancient Anasazi ruins. Those looking to see some of the most remarkable ruins in the area should set aside several days to explore all the parks along this byway, as this byway can easily turn into a week- or even several week-long vacations on its own.

For those looking to take in the scenery, there are plenty of walking trails that allow you to experience the various hills, bluffs, and brush that make up this section of Utah. While it is advised that hikers prepare for the scorching Utah weather depending on the season, there are hiking and primitive campsite locations for all skill levels, making this a byway for campers and hikers of all skill and comfort levels.

No matter if you find yourself looking to learn more about the original inhabitants of Utah, or are looking to take in the scenery as you’ve never seen it before, the Trail of the Ancients offers a unique opportunity to appreciate the sights and take advantage of a scenic byway that both edifies the mind and pleases the eyes. Hikers, bikers, and campers of all skill levels will find themselves at home on this byway, and those looking for an educational experience will find themselves overwhelmed and impressed by the sheer number of learning resources available along this trail.

More Colorado Byways

You can check out additional Byways in Colorado by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the Colorado Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.