The canyon and mesa country north of the San Juan River contains a number of archaeological sites where the ancestors of today's Pueblo Indians once lived. Today, round, square, and D-shaped towers at the heads of canyons are the most visible remains that mark the location of once-thriving communities. Though these structures have seen no human inhabitants in more than 700 years, they are still impressive.

The presence, today, of tall towers, tumbled piles of shaped stone, remains of multi-room pueblos, small cliff dwellings, pottery shards, and rock art scattered over the canyon rims and slopes leaves little doubt that a sizable population once lived in this rugged, yet beautiful, high desert landscape. Many Pueblo structures and nearby tower walls are still standing, even after seven centuries of weathering. Some walls still reach more than 20 feet in height though much of the exterior mortar has long since disappeared. Many walls are now piles of rubble.

Visitors are able to walk along quiet, primitive trails and wonder what these communities must have been like so long ago, when hundreds, or perhaps even thousands, of people lived on this plateau.

• Paved roads lead from both Cortez, Colorado and Blanding, Utah. Some roadways in the area remain very rough and may be impassible in stormy weather.
• Visitors should inquire locally before traveling any non surfaced roadways.
• Get directions from MapQuest.
• NPS Directions.

• NPS Weather and Climate.
• See area weather chart.
• See Canyon Country Weather for more information.
• Sunrise/Sunset

• See National Park Service Restrictions and Regulations.
• See Archaeological Site Etiquette.
• See American Antiquities Act of 1906.
• See Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979.
• Archaeological Resources Protection Act Hotline: 800-227-7286.
• See Pets in the Parks and Backcountry.
• See Encountering Wild Animals.

• Go in the spring or fall for best hiking.
• Bring insect repellent in late May when the biting pinyon gnats are out.
• Go before 10:00 a.m. in summer to avoid the heat.
• Avoid late-afternoon winter visits because of remote location and possible storms. Gravel roads may become impassable during and after storms.
• See Backcountry Considerations.
• See Backcountry Emergencies.
• NPS News Updates.

• About Maps
• Colorado Atlas and Gazetteer Topo Maps of the Entire State Public Lands and Back Roads
• Indian Country
• National Geographic: Utah

• Southeastern Utah (1:250,000)
• Southeastern Utah (1:357,000)
• Utah Atlas and Gazetteer Topo Maps
• Utah Map Access Portal
• Utah Maps

• National Parks of the West
• The Colorado Plateau
• The Complete Guide to America's National Parks

• Tour Book: Colorado and Utah
• The Sierra Club Guides to the National Parks: Desert Southwest