Discover Canyons of the Ancients

Canyons of the Ancients

Canyons of the Ancients. The very name conjures visions of ghostly figures gazing from cliff dwellings in high, shady alcoves. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, located in Colorado’s Four Corners region, is an enchanting place to bring your equine partner. The area not only is a visual feast but also feeds the soul. Peak season is May 1 through September 30. We explored the area aboard our Missouri Fox Trotter geldings, Cowboy and Nate.

Canyon Trails Ranch

Canyon Trails Ranch—located about a mile from the Canyons of the Ancients boundary, 15 miles southwest of Cortez—offers an equine-friendly campground situated on a gentle rise overlooking an emerald field framed in the sun-kissed cliffs of McElmo Canyon.

Sagebrush, pinyon pine, and prickly pear cactus adorn the campground. Each campsite has water, electricity, and a corral. Ranch owners Kristie and Rodney Carriker are both horsepeople. Kristie is also an amateur archeologist and Native American historian.

Kristie took us on a guided horseback tour of six ruins: two towers and four cliff dwellings. We were able to explore two of the cliff dwellings, which are between 800 to 1,200 years old. We then rode past white-andpink cliffs splashed with greenery and colorful wildflowers.