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Activities Archaeology Architecture Desert Hiking National Monument Native American New Mexico Prehistoric Pueblo Ruins Rural Sightseeing United States

The Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico

Nestled in northern New Mexico, about a half hour drive northeast of Farmington, lies the Aztec Ruins National Monument. This preserve seeks to protect a 900 year old Pueblo “Great House”. Thanks to the wonderful condition of the standing ruins, visitors are given a unique chance to walk through and get their own intimate experience with the style and intricacies of ancient Pueblo architecture. And remarkably, this national monument is free for anyone to visit.

The Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico
There were between 450 and 500 individual rooms within the Aztec West Great House.

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Activities Desert Sightseeing United States Utah

Utah’s Epic Goosenecks State Park

We planned our trip through Utah by stopping at all the “little green” areas that we saw on Google maps while we made our way from Canyonlands National Park down to the Grand Canyon.  We pulled up to a small state park off of Utah Route 316 looking for a place to camp, not really knowing what was before us. Serendipity brought us to one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen in my life; the mighty San Juan River at Goosenecks State Park.