If you aren’t aware of the visual pageantry found in the American Southwest’s dramatic river canyons and rock formations, then you’ve been living under, well, a rock. The region is as storied as it is scenic. A bit of lore and learning can enhance the visual feast and make touring these epic landscapes that much richer. So scoot over, armchair geologists, and make room for archaeologists and anthropologists on the Trail of the Ancients Scenic Drive, a 480-mile route through Utah and Colorado.
This is the first and only National Scenic Byway in America dedicated to showcasing the works of humankind throughout history alongside Mother Nature’s archaeological and natural wonders. The Four Corners region of the Southwest (where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona meet at a single point) is the richest area in the country for national parks and monuments. According to the National Scenic Byway Foundation, you can amble down just about any canyon and find evidence of ancient habitation alongside breathtaking natural beauty. This is definitely a great excursion to add to any list of America’s great road trips. An extension of the trail through New Mexico exists if you want to keep going.
Sites to see in Utah
If you’re already on a mission to road trip through Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks, you might want to add on some or all of the Trail of the Ancient’s 366 Utah miles. It passes through numerous large and small sites, from Grand Gulch’s prime backpacking routes to the striking geology at Natural Bridges National Monument. There are lots of points of cultural and historical interest.
Monument Valley, arguably one of the most photographed, iconic images of the Southwest, lies within the Navajo Nation. “Everyone has seen Monument Valley in endless photographs or movies like ‘Stagecoach’ that were filmed on location, so the feeling of actually being there in person is overwhelming, almost like coming home,” one Tripadvisor visitor writes. While you can take the 17-mile scenic drive on your own, a tour led by a Navajo guide will give you a richer appreciation of the region. Your guide will tell stories and might even sing or play the flute to bring the experience to life…