Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway, Historic byway in northwestern New Mexico, United States
The Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway is a driving route through northwestern New Mexico connecting archaeological sites and desert rock formations. It passes through landscapes shaped by ancient settlements and geological features that span across the region.
The byway connects ruins and settlement sites occupied between the 10th and 13th centuries, including the ceremonial center at Chaco Canyon. These locations reveal how ancestral Puebloans adapted to life in this desert region.
Navajo and Pueblo artists display their crafts at markets along the route, offering visitors direct connections to living artistic traditions. You encounter these works in small communities scattered throughout the journey.
Water and fuel are scarce along most of the route, so carry supplies before setting out. Plan stops at small towns where basic services are available to resupply.
The Bisti De-Na-Zin Wilderness features deeply eroded badland formations with exposed layers of ancient stone and scattered petrified wood. The landscape takes on otherworldly shapes with its colorful rock layers and unusual terrain.
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