Dear Friend of the National Parks,

NPCA’s registration deadline for our tour, Natural Fortunes of the Four Corners is coming up fast! Don’t miss your chance to witness the magnificent preservation of irreplaceable Ancestral Puebloan settlements nestled in the breathtaking vistas of the Four Corners. From Chacoan “great houses” to the masterful architecture of Hovenweep, this immersive journey will provide you with an opportunity to:

• Visit and learn about the rich Indigenous history of the Four Corners region
• Find a perfect balance of history and beauty as you explore ancient ruins, desert ecosystems and internationally recognized dark skies
• Gain exclusive insights to the parks from NPCA staff experts, park staff and our local partners on the ground

Mesa Verde’s Magnificent Dark Skies and Archaeological Marvels

Picture this: You’ve just finished your first day in Mesa Verde National Park, enjoying a spectacular tour through the protected cliff dwellings typical of Ancestral Puebloan culture. Now, you’re under a thick blanket of breathtaking stars illuminating the dark skies above, discovering first-hand why Mesa Verde is an International Dark-Sky Park. But you’ve only just begun your two-and-a-half-day journey through this UNESCO World Heritage Site. To get the most out of your adventure within such a culturally rich area, you’ll have an exciting opportunity to meet with the park staff, who will share their unique perspectives of the priceless cultural resources and landscapes of the region. After you’ve taken in the archaeological marvels of Chapin Mesa and the surrounding sites that span over 700 years of history, NPCA experts will provide you with an exclusive, in-depth look at the challenges facing the area.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Embark on a unique journey through time and culture as NPCA, local experts and National Park Service staff guide you through the sacred Chacoan “great houses” in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. An area of unparalleled sophistication dating back to Ancestral Puebloan civilization in 850 A.D., this UNESCO World Heritage Site holds immeasurable significance to surrounding tribes and Indigenous communities across the country. Here, experts will share their outlook on recent victories in the area and the urgent need to continue safeguarding the Four Corners region.

Hovenweep National Monument

Your expert-led adventure continues through Hovenweep National Monument, an area full of complex Ancestral Puebloan architecture. Stone structures dot the arid landscape, each providing a snapshot of civilization and brilliant masonry dating back to 1200 A.D. With NPCA partners by your side, take your time walking through the remaining towers of a once-thriving civilization, noticing the natural quiet surrounding you in this idyllic, isolated park.

Find our full Fall 2022 travel collection at npca.org/trips.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me by phone at 202-454-3305 or by email at [email protected]. Thank you for your support.

See you in the parks,


Jared Dial
NPCA’s Associate Director of the Educational Travel Program

Photos: Cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park © Shutterstock/Sopotnicki; Fajada Butte, Chaco Culture National Historical Park © Shutterstock/Sopotnicki; Hovenweep National Monument © Zack Frank