Crow Canyon Archaeological Center - 13 Things to Know Before Visiting

The Center offers a variety of educational programs for both children and adults, including tours of the site, hands-on workshops, and lectures by experts in the field. Additionally, the Center houses an extensive research library and museum, which are open to the public. Visitors can also explore the Center's working archaeological excavations, which provide a rare opportunity to see firsthand how archaeologists uncover and interpret the past.

In 1974, a group of archaeologists and anthropologists founded the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center in southwest Colorado. The center is located in Montezuma County, which is home to some of the richest archaeological sites in the United States. The main goal of the center is to conduct research on the pre-contact cultures of the Southwest, with a particular focus on the Ancestral Pueblo people who inhabited the region from AD 1 to 1300. Over the past four decades, the center has conducted a number of major excavations at sites throughout the Four Corners area. These excavations have yielded a wealth of information about the lives of the Ancestral Pueblo people, and they have helped to fill in gaps in our understanding of their culture and society. The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is an important part of our country's archaeological heritage, and it continues to play a vital role in our understanding of America's past. 

The best time to visit Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is from April to October. During this time, the weather is mild and dry, making it ideal for hiking and exploring the center's many trails. The days are also long, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy all that the center has to offer. 

1. Plan ahead. because Crow Canyon is such a popular destination, it's important to book your tickets in advance. This will ensure that you don't miss out on any of the center's essential exhibits.
2. Stop by the Visitor Center first. The Visitor Center is a great place to start your visit, as it provides helpful information about all of the center's attractions.
3.  Attend one of the center's many events. Throughout the year, Crow Canyon hosts a variety of special events, including lectures, workshops, and educational programs.
4. The Crow Canyon gift store offers an assortment of items, including books , jewelry , and pottery made by local artists . 
5.  Crow Canyon is a great place to learn about the ancient Pueblo people who once lived in this area.

1. The center is named for the Crow Canyon, a red-rock canyon located near the town of Cortez in southwestern Colorado.
2. To date, over 200 archaeological sites have been identified at Crow Canyon.
3. The center's main research focus is on the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived in the region from approximately A.D. 950 to 1350.

4. The Ancestral Pueblo people built some of the largest and most complex structures in North America, including the iconic Mesa Verde cliff dwellings.

5. The center also offers public lectures, workshops, and field trips led by expert archaeologists and historians.

6. To date, more than 200,000 artifacts have been found at the Center, including pottery, tools, and jewelry.

7.  The Center has produced more than 60 publications on its research findings.
    

Most people will require at least half a day to explore Crow Canyon Archaeological Center properly. The center consists of a number of different archaeological sites, as well as a museum and educational facilities. As such, there is plenty to see and do, and visitors can easily spend several hours here without getting bored. 

To reach the center, take Highway 491 south from Cortez for about 12 miles. Turn left onto County Road G and travel about two miles to the entrance of the Center.

The cost of admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and students, and free for children under the age of 12.

The center is open to the public from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday, and from 9 AM to 3 PM on Saturdays.