To visit the ancestral lands of Indigenous people of the Western United States is to walk in two worlds. On one hand, you can take an up-close look at ruins that haven’t been populated for centuries and see these places as historic destinations. On the other hand, homelands never cease to be homelands. The places where you walk are part of these still-living nations of people, even as time and conflict have taken them elsewhere.
There are all kinds of significant Indigenous sites to visit in the American West, from places of ceremony to villages that once held thousands of people. The specific purpose of some of them has been lost to history, though they remain no less sacred and significant to the descendants of those people today. Visiting offers the opportunity to reflect back on what life might have been like at these places.
By learning the history of these sites, you learn the culture that still informs these nations today. It is important to note that visitors to tribal lands are guests, which means showing due care and respect as if visiting someone’s home. Be sure to check in advance if there are any restrictions in place that might affect your group.
THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT
You’ll find tribal lands spread throughout the West, but they are especially prevalent in present-day Arizona and New Mexico. New Mexico in particular is home to 23 nations, tribes, and pueblos. “Pueblo” is the name Spanish explorers gave to the permanent settlements they discovered in what is now New Mexico, which date back roughly 1,500 to 2,500 years. The pueblo is closely associated with New Mexico, as the people who inhabited this region are collectively known as Puebloans, and it is a symbol of theirs, sacred to the Zia people, which adorns the flag of New Mexico today.
“New Mexico’s legendary landscapes and rich heritage make it the ultimate destination for group planners seeking a striking match of adventure and culture,” says Nicole Barker, media relations manager for the New Mexico Tourism Department. “Home to Native American ancestral lands like Bandelier National Monument and 23 nations, tribes, and pueblos—each with its own unique traditions, history, and customs to this day—the Land of Enchantment offers visitors authentic experiences to learn about Native life, past and present.”
Although akin to worlds unto themselves, these sites are often conveniently located near major freeways with ample motorcoach parking available. Just a short distance off Interstate 40 in western New Mexico is Acoma Pueblo, one of the longest-inhabited places in the United States. Also known as “Sky City” because of its location atop a sheer mesa, Acoma Pueblo now offers guided tours from Native Acoma guides and the on-site Haak’u Museum. The Yaak’a Cafe serves up traditional Acoman dishes as well as modern American favorites.
Puye Cliff Dwellings also could be described as a city in the sky, as it features abodes remarkably carved into the sides of sheer cliffs. Located near Los Alamos, roughly a 45-minute drive from Santa Fe, Puye Cliff Dwellings today offers guided tours from descendants of the people who once lived there. These tours include the dwellings themselves as well as other historic sites such as the Harvey House, built in the late 1800s for tourists traversing the Southwest. Visits include a short van ride from parking to the pueblo, with some walking and ladder-climbing involved.
Located near the scenic town of the same name, Taos Pueblo is one of the most famous in the state. The pueblo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark, situated at the base of the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains. Guided tours are offered year-round, or groups are welcome to explore the area at their own pace.
For groups seeking a bit more adventure, Bandelier National Monument near Los Alamos encompasses 33,000 acres of rugged canyons and mesas. The highlight here is the hiking trails, most notably the 1.4-mile Pueblo Loop Trail. Offered July through September and available as a self-guided or ranger-led journey, the Pueblo Loop Trail includes ladders that take hikers into cliff dwellings of the ancestral Pueblo people.
“The Land of Enchantment invites group planners to feature Indigenous-led visitor offerings in their itineraries,” says Barker, “from museums like Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and historic sites like the Puye Cliff Dwellings to some of the longest inhabited communities in North America.”
Credit: Adobe/EWY Media
THE GRAND CANYON STATE
Arizona is home to 22 Native American tribes, according to the Arizona American Indian Tourism Association. The ancestral peoples of the Sonoran Desert built Casa Grande, meaning “grand house,” for purposes that are still unclear. It possibly served as a gathering place, and your group can now gather here around the adobe Great House and surrounding compound for guided tours. The grounds also offer picnic space for groups that want to make their own lunch plans.
Straddling the Utah-Arizona state line, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park offers nothing less than untouched and expansive beauty upon the ancestral lands of the Navajo. Visitors here will find rock formations soaring up to 1,000 feet in stunning colors. A 17-mile loop drive offers an easy way to view these amazing landforms, but Monument Valley Safari also offers guided tours aboard safari trucks, SUVs, and vans, depending on the season.
Arizona’s Colorado Plateau is rich with Native American heritage, and the city of Flagstaff is right in the center of the region. The nearby Painted Desert is always a big draw for visitors, and within that you’ll find Wupatki National Monument. The monument’s namesake is the Wupatki Pueblo, built out of red-tinged sandstone and featuring 104 distinct rooms and a ball court. Ranger-led hikes to this pueblo and others are available for more insight on this stunning landscape. Also near Flagstaff is Elden Pueblo, now a site of archeological research with several publicly accessible days throughout the year. Ongoing research centers around the Sinagua people, who inhabited the site 1,000 years ago, and the role the village played in their society.
For group tours centered around the Phoenix area, Wild Horse Pass is a wide-ranging destination with everything from drag racing to championship golf. Located on the grounds of the Gila River Indian Community, this property is an example of the more modern usage of native lands. In addition to recreation and entertainment opportunities, the property features the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, an Indigenous-owned resort built to reflect the culture and heritage of the area. The design and architecture of the resort features nods to legends from the Pima and Maricopa tribes.
These tribal sites are surely enough to fill out any itinerary of the Southwest while also being close to other attractions your group will enjoy. Though these might be ancestral sites, they are still living, vital places in their community, and thus often host special ceremonies or events which may or may not be open to the public. Be sure to consult in advance to ensure the best experience possible.
By Todd Kortemeier
Main Image: Puye Cliff Dwellings, Los Alamos, New Mexico; Credit: New Mexico True
