Visitors to Southwest Colorado’s Mesa Verde Country can get the most out of the culture and history of the area by booking a tour through Canyons of the Ancients National Monument with the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance (SCCA). The SCCA is a grassroots organization comprised of a group of local citizens who are dedicated to maintaining the conservation lands in the Four Corners region.
The group’s experienced and educated guides tour visitors through Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, which contains the highest known archaeological site density in the United States with rich, well-preserved evidence of native cultures. SCCA offers half-day, full-day and other adventures for all ages and fitness levels. All tours include information on Ancestral Pueblo culture, the natural environment and archaeology, and also feature messages of Visiting with Respect and Leave No Trace ethics.
“Hiking through Canyons of the Ancients with a SCCA guide elevates the experience by offering rich and interesting context that shouldn’t be missed,” says Kelly Kirkpatrick, Mesa Verde Country Executive Director. “Visitors who book a tour with SCCA are sure to have an entertaining, educational and unforgettable experience.”
Here are just a few of the tours offered by the SCCA. For a full list, go to www.swcocanyons.org/tours/. Tours fill up quickly, so visitors are encouraged to book early by calling 970-560-1643 or filling out the interest form here: https://bit.ly/3ovsF1k.
- Sand Canyon Trail Interpretive Hikes
Enjoy a half-day, 3/4-day, or full-day hike in Canyons of the Ancients’ premier archaeological district. The Sand Canyon District contains numerous cliff dwelling sites where people lived from approximately A.D. 1100-1285, just before they migrated en masse to the south. - Panoramic Monument Tour
Meet the guide at Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum (CAVM) for an in-depth guided tour of the museum and two 11th century pueblos on the grounds. Learn about the Dolores Archaeological Project that became the impetus for the museum and set the standards for future archaeological research. Visit Dominguez and Escalante, two very different pueblos on museum grounds, to learn how they could have existed at the same time. After a quick lunch at CAVM’s picnic area, travel in your own vehicle to Lowry Pueblo and to Sand Canyon Pueblo, one of the large canyon-head communities that out-populated even the largest cliff dwelling at Mesa Verde National Park. - Lowry Community All Day Extravaganza
Meet your guide at Lowry Pueblo for an exhilarating day of hiking and maneuvering cliffs as you view and learn about many places of the past. Appreciate the centuries of architecture. Marvel at the rock art signifying winter solstice. Visit an historic honeymoon cabin.
SCCA also offers half-day activities to engage the whole family with activities that are tailor made for you and your kids. Check them out at http://www.swcocanyons.org/wp-content/uploads/Tours-by-SCCA-Choices.9.24.2021.pdf.
For more information and to plan a trip to Mesa Verde Country, call 800-530-2998 or visit www.mesaverdecountry.com.
