photos by Stephen Eginoire

Hidden among the sage just west of Cortez is a vast network of canyons that are home to the highest known concentration of prehistoric and historic Native American ruins in the country. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, as its known, hosts numerous marked trails and maintained ruins, as well as countless seldom visited backcountry gems. Heres a look at a few sites, hikeable year-round, (if you dont mind the mud): Hovenweep and Lowry.

The Great Kiva, the one of the largest known kivas in the region, is located near the Lowry Pueblo ruins. A view of the Twin Towers ruin, perched above Little Ruin Canyon at Hovenweep.

 

In this week's issue...

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December 18, 2025
Look, but don't take

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December 11, 2025
Big plans

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