Yucca House National Monument is one of the least visited National Monuments in the Country and Colorado. The small site is mostly intriguing only for those trying to visit all of the US National Monuments as the contents of the site may be disappointing to others.
However, the site’s history is pretty interesting. And for those going, you’ll have a unique opportunity to have a beautiful archeological site to yourself. Read to see if it’s worth visiting for you.
About Yucca House
Yucca House National Monument in Southwest Colorado preserves the remains of an ancient Ancestral Puebloan community. The monument encompasses one of the largest archaeological sites in the region, which flourished between 1150 and 1300 CE.
The main structure at Yucca House is a large, rectangular pueblo with over 600 rooms, likely multi-storied. The pueblo was constructed using sandstone blocks and adobe mortar. Yucca House was abandoned around the late 13th century, and the reasons for its decline and abandonment are unknown.
Established in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson, surprisingly little has changed between when the park was established and what you’ll see today. In some ways, it’s hiding its biggest secrets and in others, it’s impressive to see ruins as it naturally was left.
Best Time to Visit Yucca House National Monument
The Site is open year-round and 24 hours a day. However, you should avoid visiting the site too early or late in the day.
The best time to visit the site is from April until October. The weather is best during these times, and the days are generally longer. The site is small and won’t take you very long. The one tough part may be after a rain, as the road to Yucca House and the site itself may be muddy.
Winter is the toughest time to visit Yucca House. Between short days, you’ll also have to contend with wintery roads and cold weather. The road to the site can be blocked by snow and the site itself can be snow-covered or icy. If you must go during this season proceed with caution and check the weather.
Things To Do at Yucca House
The National Monument is a small easily visited area. Unfortunately, there’s not much to explore in the park.
Upon parking, you’ll see a gate for entering the National Monument. Enter through both gates (sign the guest book if you can, and you’ll be in a rather large fenced open area.
Look to your left and right, and you’ll see two different mounds. These are the main areas of the park to explore, and sadly, there’s not much.
Head left first. Here you’ll see a mound. If you are on the side of the mound facing the farmhouse, you’ll see the remnants of the wall of the dwellings here. This is the only mansory of the site that is left standing. You can circle around the mound but nothing else is visible. This pueblo formerly had at least 8 rooms.
Now look up towards the mountain range to the mound that was on your right when you entered. This is the other main part of the site.
You can walk up to the mound and if you look close you’ll see stones from the former dwellings that existed in this area. According to the NPS, this pueblo had an estimated 600 rooms, over 100 kivas, and a great kiva. There is a spring that flowed through the center of this pueblo.
It’s astonishing to think of the size of the former pueblo given how little is visible on this mound. I suppose they’d have to excavate and rebuild to restore it to its former pueblo. However, there are no plans to do anything with this site. In some ways, it may be better to preserve it the way it is.
Where to Stay
There are no places to stay in or adjacent to the Yucca House National Monument. Those looking to stay in the area have a choice of either Cortez (our preference) or the Ute Mountain Casino Hotel.
Camping
- Mcphee Recreation Complex: Located north of Cortez at an elevation of 7,500 feet. Over 50 sites, 14 nights max stay.
- Bright Star Campground: Seasonal Campground located southeast of Cortez. Friendly staff and generally happy campers
- Uravan Ballpark Campground: Primitive campground located in the Ute Mountain Reservation.
Hotels
- Retro Inn: Friendly, Quirky Hotel located on the edge of town. One of my favorite options.
- Ute Mountain Casino Hotel: Large hotel located on the Ute Mountain Reservation. Located about 10 minutes from the site.
- Holiday Inn Cortez: Clean, nice hotel at the far end of Main Street. Good chain option in town.
RV Parks
- Sleeping Ute RV Park: Large RV Park with full service and tent sites on the Ute Mountain Reservation.
- La Mesa RV Park: 33 full-hook up sites and amenities in Cortez Colorado
- RJourney Cortez RV Park: Located just east of Cortez. Has RV sites, cabins, and tent sites. Also lots of amenities including an onsite pool.
Basic Information
The National Monument is located down a dirt road off the side of a private residence. While visiting is allowed, it is important to be mindful that you are parking and accessing it via private land given an easement to the National Park Service.
Visitor Center
There is no visitor center for Yucca House National Monument. There are no services at all here!
Fees
There are no fees to visit the National Monument. They request you sign the visitor book, which helps them understand the number of visitors.
Address
Off County Rd 20.5 Cortez 81321
Hours
Open 24 hrs a day. However, please don’t come too early or late as people live adjacent to the parking area.
Passport Stamp
There is no passport stamp at the monument here. However, you can get the passport stamp for Yucca House at Hovenweep National Monument.
Website: Official NPS Website
Getting To Yucca House
Location: National Monument Site
Getting to Yucca House is not as difficult as it was made out to me when I was researching the site.
The site is locatable on Google. From Cortez, drive west/south on US-160 towards the Ute Mountain Reservation.
You’ll pass the Cortez Municipal Airport and continue about another 4 miles.
Make a right on County Road B. You should see a sign for Yucca House National Monument.
After about ¾ of a mile, Turn right on County Road 20.5.
Continue on the road about 1.5 miles, and you’ll see a white house on your right and another house ahead of you. The site will be on the left. Try to park along the side near Yucca House and out of the road so as not to block the vehicles here.
Tips & FAQs
- Do Not Go too Early or Too Late not to Disturb the People who Live next to the Site.
- Park Close to the Site and Do Not block the road.
- Be sure to close the Gates after yourself when entering and leaving the National Monument.
- There are no Services or Rangers (generally) here. Be sure to leave the Site as Good as you Found it.
- Do Not Climb on any mounds or walls you find on the site. Do not take any artifacts.
- Watch out for Cows. They are all over and sometimes on the road.
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