About the Monument

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM) was designated by Proclamation by President Clinton in June, 2000. The monument is located in southwestern Colorado, and covers 164,000 acres of public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument contains a huge number of archaeological sites (more than 6000 recorded, up to 100 per square mile in some places) representing the Ancestral Puebloan and other Native American cultures, as well as important historic and environmental resources. The Monument lies in a semi-arid region of the Upper Sonoran life zone typified by rugged desert canyons and mesas. There are no rivers or lakes within its boundaries, although springs and intermittent streams can be found. (See a map of the region.)

Visitors planning to explore Canyons of the Ancients National Monument should first stop at the Anasazi Heritage Center for orientation and current information. The CANM website, maintained by the Bureau of Land Management's Anasazi Heritage Center, has a plethora of information on the monument. Visit www.co.blm.gov/canm for more information.

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