Historic Human Ruins Of Southeastern Utah

Southeastern Utah's San Juan County, with 15,000 current residents, likely once harbored a population of many times that number. An authority at the Edge of the Cedars State Park/Museum once told me that San Juan County has the largest number of ancient Native American sites, per square mile, of any county in the country!” I followed up her statement with a question; “If you were to tell your friends how to most easily find these ancient sites, what would you say?” Her answer was very succinct, “Choose any canyon, just start walking!” She went on to explain that 800-plus years ago there were between 150,000 and 200,000 people living in the Four Corners area. I couldn't help but contemplate the dynamics of such a large number of people. Certainly there must have been a thriving community that encompassed a somewhat complex economy and social structure. Experts say that this was part of the Chaco culture that settled northwestern New Mexico and expanded into Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. Many of the historic remnants within Utah's San Juan County are now encompassed within what has been designated The Bears Ears National Monument. 

Destinations such as Butler Wash Ruins, Edge of The Cedars, Hovenweep, and House On Fire are just some of the notable areas where ancient homes or granaries are relatively easy to access.  

Butler Wash Ruins

Edge of The Cedars

Hovenweep

House On Fire

This sequence of ruins is named House On Fire because of the rock striations that resemble flames of fire above one of the rock structures. Accessed on-foot via a rugged cut in the earth, the canyon that contains these abodes has been carved by years of flooding rains and melting snow. Situated approximately 20 feet above the canyon floor, are three stone structures that are tucked beneath a thick rock overhang. Gazing into the interiors of these ancient homes, one can only try to fathom the lifestyle of the people who lived here, and their reasons for creating their lodging in such secluded settings. We're these, and hundreds of other dwellings created as places to hide from enemies, or is was there another less life-threatening purpose? These above-ground structures are far more elaborate than the more simplified pit-houses often found in the southwestern areas of Utah. The scenic diversity of southeastern Utah is almost beyond description, but the human history in this region is similarly remarkable.

While You're Visiting

Visitors from around the world come to this region to visit Canyonlands National Park, Monument Valley Tribal Park, Valley of the Gods, Moki Dugway, Muley Point, the Goosenecks of the San Juan River, Natural Bridges, Fry Canyon, and a long list of other scenic attractions.