No matter what you prefer to see whilst hiking, you are sure to find it right here in Colorado. From the paved trails around the Mile High City to the sandy hills of the Great Sand Dunes all the way to the tropical-feeling Hanging Lake, there are so many incredible sights to behold! If you are looking for an epic hike to take with your family, however, we recommend checking out this one trail in particular that will lead you to extraordinary ancient ruins:

Please note, Chimney Rock National Monument is temporarily closed.

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Located in the scenic San Juan National Forest near beautiful Pagosa Springs lies the Chimney Rock National Monument; a massive 4,726-acre national monument that is managed for “archaeological protection, public interpretation, and education.” Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, Chimney Rock consists primarily of an old Ancestral Puebloan site that is thought to have housed some 2,000 Native Americans between AD 925 and 1125. When you visit the area, make sure to take some time to see the monument’s jaw-dropping Great House Pueblo, which consists of two kivas, 36 rooms, and stones and materials that were all hauled by hand up the steep ridge line. Since Chimney Rock National Monument and its dwellings are extremely delicate, the area is highly protected; however, tours are given by knowledgable guides every day from May 15th through September 30th, giving visitors the chance to get up close and personal with this fascinating piece of history.

For even more historic Colorado trails, check out These 5 Trails In Colorado Will Lead You To Extraordinary Ancient Ruins.

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