Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Great collection of artifacts and visual displays. Short 1/2 mile hike on paved trail to partially excavated ruin on top of hill behind the Center.There are so many hikes in Canyons of the Ancients (both marked and unmarked). There is nothing else like hiking through this area and stumbling upon ruins. As someone that grew up in Illinois where this stuff doesn't exist, I still think it is surreal after 3 years. One of the best hikes is Sand Canyon. It is a good day hike that has plenty of ruins to look at. One of the best ways to hike it is to get a friend to start at the bottom, you start at the top, when you pass each other you exchange keys, and then meet up for a beer and give each other's keys back.