Connect with Indigenous heritage in national parks
National parks preserve stories—of people who have come before, of historic moments, of traditions that continue to thrive today. This month’s edition of American West Monthly celebrates Native American Heritage Month and highlights the places where we can connect with the diverse, resilient cultures of people who have lived on this continent for generations.
Visit an important Indigenous cultural heritage site
Originally added to the National Park System in 1908, Montezuma Castle National Monument will be celebrating its 120th anniversary in early December with weeklong festivities. Many Tribes maintain active cultural ties to this important landscape, which preserves a large dwelling carved into a towering limestone cliff. Plan your trip today.
Experience Montezuma Castle National Monument
Nestled in Arizona's Verde Valley is an important Indigenous cultural heritage site, and one of the first designated national monuments in the United States. Montezuma Castle National Monument protects an ancient, twenty-room cliff dwelling, built hundreds of years ago by the ancestral Puebloans.
Hubbell Trading Post is touring the Southwest
Hubbell Trading Post brings heritage and living traditions to communities across the Southwest—an opportunity to connect with Diné (Navajo) artistry, knowledge, and traditions passed down through generations. Learn more about where Hubbell is visiting and how this tour supports artists and public lands.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month
During Native American Heritage Month and all year long, plan your trip to a national park to learn more about and appreciate the knowledge, stories, and living traditions of the many Tribal Nations and peoples who continue to steward these precious natural and cultural landscapes.
Visit Petroglyph National Monument
In Albuquerque is an Indigenous heritage site protecting over 20,000 ancient images. Get inspired for your trip to Petroglyph National Monument with our guide.
