Lowry Pueblo - 13 Things to Know Before Visiting

Old Ruins

About Lowry Pueblo

Lowry Pueblo is a Mesa Verde Anasazi site located in Montezuma County, Colorado. The site was inhabited ca. 1200-1300 CE and consists of a small pueblo with around 30 rooms. The pueblo is located on a bluff overlooking the Rio Grande River and was likely used as a hunting and gathering campsite. The site was first excavated in the early 1900s and has since been reconstructed.

Interior of a hotel

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Things to Do at Lowry Pueblo

Today, the site is open to the public for hiking, picnicking, and bird watching. There are also a number of educational programs offered at Lowry Pueblo, including guided tours of the ruins and hands-on workshops about traditional puebloan life. Visitors can also learn about the pueblo's history at the on-site museum, which houses a collection of artifacts from the site.

Activities Around

History of Lowry Pueblo

Lowry Pueblo is a pre-Columbian archaeological site located in Montezuma County, Colorado. The site was occupied by the Anasazi people from around AD 1050 to 1300. Lowry Pueblo was originally built on the Mesa Verde, but was later relocated to its current location due to a change in climate. The pueblo itself is made up of over 150 rooms, and was likely home to around 100 people. It is believed that the Anasazi people abandoned Lowry Pueblo around 1300, likely due to a drought. Today, the site is open to the public and is a popular destination for tourists and archaeologists alike.

Best Time to Visit Lowry Pueblo

The best time to visit Lowry Pueblo, Montezuma County, Colorado is in the summer. The weather is warm and dry, and the days are long, providing plenty of time to enjoy all the pueblo has to offer. The views are especially stunning during the summer months, when the sun sets later and the skies are clear.

Tips for Visiting Lowry Pueblo

  1.  Allow plenty of time to explore the site. There's a lot to see, and you'll want to take your time to soak it all in.
  2. Be respectful of the site and its inhabitants. This is an important piece of history, and it should be treated with respect.
  3.  Take advantage of the ranger-led tours. The rangers are incredibly knowledgeable about the site and its history, and they're more than happy to share their insights with visitors.
  4. Be sure to dress for the weather. The pueblo is located at an elevation of 7,000 feet, and snow is not uncommon even in summer months.

Interesting Facts and Trivias About Lowry Pueblo

  1. The pueblo was constructed around 1060 AD atop abandoned pithouses from an earlier period of occupation. It was occupied by 40 to 100 people at a time for 165 years.
  2. The site is one of the northernmost to be associated with the Puebloan cultures.
  3. The site was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
  4. Lowry Pueblo was first excavated during summer field seasons from 1930 to 1936 by Paul Sidney Martin of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
  5. The pueblo was named for the early area homesteader George Lowry.

How Much Time Did Visitors Spend at Lowry Pueblo

The maximum time required to explore Lowry Pueblo is 2-3 hours. 

How to Reach Lowry Pueblo

The best way to reach it is by taking Highway 285 from Denver. After about 2 hours, you will see a sign for the pueblo on the left side of the road. turn onto the dirt road and follow it for about 1/2 mile until you reach the pueblo. 

Entrance Fee of Lowry Pueblo

The entrance fee to Lowry Pueblo is $3 per person.

Opening Hours of Lowry Pueblo

The pueblo is open to the public from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily.

Attractions Near Lowry Pueblo

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is located in Montezuma County, Colorado. The monument consists of canyons, mesas, and other natural features carved by the wind and rain over millions of years. The area is home to a variety of plant and animal life, as well as a rich Native American history. archaeological sites have been found that date back more than 10,000 years. Visitors to the monument can enjoy hiking, camping, picnicking, and birdwatching.

Hovenweep Visitor Center

Hovenweep Visitor Center

26.01km from Lowry Pueblo

Hovenweep National Monument is located on the southern tip of Colorado. The monument consists of six different villages that were built by the ancient Pueblo people. The villages are spread out over a 20-mile area and are located near canyons and mesas. The Pueblo people built the villages between 1100 and 1300 AD. They used the villages as seasonal homes and for trading with other tribes. The villages were abandoned in the 1300s, and the reason why is unknown.

McPhee Reservoir

McPhee Reservoir

33.6km from Lowry Pueblo

McPhee Reservoir is the fifth largest lake in Colorado and provides one of the best spots in the southwest area for warm weather, big lake fun.The lake itself may be accessed from near Dolores, Colorado, by state highways 145 and 184, and offers various boat-launching facilities, picnic areas, and campgrounds in the McPhee Recreation Area operated by the U.S. Forest Service. The lake fills the lower end of the Dolores Valley, with the dam.

Escalante Pueblo

Escalante Pueblo

35.1km from Lowry Pueblo

Escalante Pueblo was a compact village on a hilltop overlooking the Dolores River. Archaeologists believe it was occupied three different times, based on tree-ring dating of the wood used in its construction. Ancestral Pueblo people built the main complex in AD 1129 and lived there for at least nine years. The Spanish explorers Escalante and Dominguez made note of this site in 1776 during their trek across the Southwest.

Canyons Of The Ancients Visitor Center & Museum

Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center and Museum is a museum focusing on Ancestral Puebloan, Native American, and historic cultures in the Four Corners region. The museum's permanent and special exhibits display some of the 3 million mostly Ancestral Puebloan artifacts curated at the facility. The center also houses a public research library, educational resources and a museum shop. Wheelchair-accessible facilities include a picnic area and an interpreted nature and cultural trail.

Ute Mountain

Ute Mountain

35.67km from Lowry Pueblo

Ute Mountain is located in Montezuma County, Colorado. The mountain is part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and has an elevation of 12,721 feet. The mountain is named for the Ute people, who inhabited the area prior to European settlement. Ute Mountain is known for its stunning views and extensive hiking trails. The mountain is home to a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and black bears. Ute Mountain is a popular destination for camping, picnicking, and sightseeing.

Discover More Attractions in Montezuma County, Home of Lowry Pueblo

Montezuma County

Montezuma County

13 attractions

Montezuma County in southwestern Colorado is home to some of the most stunning scenery in the state. From the snow-capped peaks of the San Juan Mountains to the red rocks of Mesa Verde National Park, there is no shortage of natural beauty to explore. Not to mention, the county is also home to a wealth of history and culture. A visit to Montezuma County is sure to be an unforgettable experience.

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