Step back in time at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, where over 600 cliff dwellings tell the story of the Ancestral Pueblo people who lived here for more than 700 years. The star of the show? The Cliff Palace, the largest-known cliff dwelling in North America, built between 1190 and 1280 CE. With over 100 rooms, this ancient structure still stands strong – check it out on a 45-minute guided tour.

Nestled between Albuquerque and Farmington, New Mexico, Chaco Culture National Historical Park once buzzed with life. This sprawling site was a major hub for the Ancestral Pueblo people from 850 to 1250 CE. The highlight? Pueblo Bonito, a “great house” with 600 rooms, towering four stories tall! With 400 miles of ancient roads and buildings still visible, you can almost imagine the 5,000 people who once called this place home.

At its peak, Cahokia Mounds in Illinois was home to around 20,000 residents, making it the largest pre-Columbian city north of Mexico. Explore the 65 earthen mounds on a guided tour, and don’t miss Monks Mound, a 100-foot-tall earthwork with sweeping views at the top. If you’re feeling adventurous, take the five-mile nature hike to explore the more remote areas of this ancient site.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the U.S. For over 1,000 years, the adobe buildings of Taos Pueblo have stood at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in New Mexico. Wander through this village on your own, or take a guided tour to get more insight into the traditions that continue to thrive in this living piece of history.

Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico feels like a real-life history book – ancient people dwelled here for more than 11,000 years! As you explore these 33,000 acres of canyon and mesa country, you’ll see ancient cliff dwellings, stone masonry structures, and petroglyphs. Don’t miss the Tsankawi section, where a mesa-top trail boasts panoramic views and an unexcavated Ancestral Pueblo village, complete with ladders leading to hidden paths and ruins.

Head to Poverty Point World Heritage Site in northeastern Louisiana for some of the largest earthworks in North America. Constructed between 1700 and 1100 BC, these massive mounds and ridges are a testament to the engineering skills of the Poverty Point culture. You can explore the site on your own or with a park ranger, then attend a prehistoric cooking or ancient tool-making demonstration to see history come to life!

Step back into the 14th century at Moundville Archaeological Park in Alabama, known as the “Big Apple” of its time. This sprawling site features 29 flat-topped mounds arranged around an extensive central plaza. Wander the grounds, then visit the onsite museum to view ancient artifacts, including the stone Rattlesnake Disk, one of the most famous works of art from the Native American Mississippian culture.

Straddling the border of Colorado and Utah, Hovenweep National Monument provides a glimpse into six prehistoric villages built between AD 1200 and 1300. These ruins, including multi-story towers perched dramatically on canyon rims, were once the home of over 2500 Native Americans. Explore the D-shaped structures and circular kivas while imagining life in this ancient desert landscape.

The mysterious Serpent Mound in Ohio is a must-visit if you love reptiles. This effigy mound is shaped like a snake with a coiled tail and was built by Native Americans around 900 years ago. Climb the observation tower for the best view of this massive symbol. Plan your visit on the second or fourth Friday of the month to join a guided walking tour led by a local archaeologist.

Discover over 17,000 years of Native American history at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Georgia. Start your journey at the visitor center with a quick introductory film, then head out to explore seven mounds and eight miles of scenic hiking trails. Step inside the Earth Lodge, dating back to 1015 CE, and marvel at its original dirt floor that has survived for centuries.