Family-Friendly Native-American Travel Spots in Western America
The American West has long captivated travelers as a place of expansion and open vistas. The Native American tribes who lived nomadically and traveled with the seasons, either from north to south or from lower elevations in winter to higher elevations in summer created many sacred sites. Their journeys offer a great wealth of history and information for families longing to explore the great American West today.
Arizona
The state of Arizona may be famous for her saguaro cactus, but this land offers much more to see. For example, if you don’t care for desert heat but seek a summer vacation, sign up for a Navajo guided tour of Monument Valley. This region of Northern Arizona offers some access to non-Navajo tours, but because the majority of the park is on Navajo land, you will get the best views and the most thorough experience with a Navajo guide.
West of Monument Valley, you can do some hiking and visit Antelope Canyon with a guide. Be aware that Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon, created by water forced through rock. In the event of a severe rain, this area can become quite dangerous. Additionally, the curves and waves in the stone of this slot canyon can be quite confusing; you don’t want to get lost in there.
New Mexico
Study the art and artisans of the native world by visiting the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture in Santa Fe, New Mexico. As Native Americans found their lives changed by the migration of Europeans, new industries of art and artistic creation sprang up. Sadly, the powers of the time often had little regard for the creative work that had come before the encroachment of white civilization to the American West. Nevertheless, many native craftspeople developed a signature style and created modern pieces ideally suited to the images and natural patterns of the open west.
If you’re planning to visit Santa Fe, make sure you also check out the America Museum of Folk Art, just a short walk away. Bring cash as there are many silver and gem artists at work and selling their wares around the city. Finally, come hungry. Santa Fe offers a wide variety of cuisines as well as terrific shopping for travelers who prefer an urban vibe.
Colorado
For those who can climb and love to imagine how folks in the past lived their daily lives, a trip to Mesa Verde is critical. This remarkable structure, not far from Durango, offers camping nearby and guided tours of varying skill requirements. If you cannot climb a ladder, this trip may be a challenge. However, children seem especially drawn to this national historic site within the national park.
If you plan to camp in this region, be aware that this is an International Dark Sky park. The area is not highly developed and the night skies suffer little competition from city lights. If you are not a seasoned camper, either bring a friend who is who can help you make sure you are properly geared up before you go or consider a stay in a nearby cabin or vacation rental.
Additionally, make sure you bring snacks and water. In the summer, Mesa Verde can get incredibly hot as the sunlight bounces off the stone. Bathroom amenities are limited. This is a World Heritage Site and you cannot visit it without booking a tour. This is a busy tourist spot; consider booking your tour early.
A simple hike for those with young children in Colorado can be found at the Colorado Paint Mines Interpretive Park. While this is not a long hike, there are some narrow passages and tight corners. Be ready to hold hands as you work your way through the clay wash. Look for finger marks where local Native American potters took clay to fashion the tools necessary for life.
California
For those who prefer a self-study tour of Native American travel spots, the Cave of Munits in the Simi Hills is an eye-catcher. The hike to the rock is not too tough, but the climb could lead to some scrapes and bumps. Don’t go alone, and be ready to do some crawling to get to the Shaman’s Cave proper.
For those interested in archaeology, consider a trip to the Chumash Indian Museum in Thousand Oaks. There are some visible cave paintings and others that can be viewed only by infrared light. However, study of the artifacts found on what was Lang Ranch is ongoing and there are detailed dioramas of Chumash life to study as well.
Wyoming
Yellowstone National Park is located mostly in the state of Wyoming and is considered to be a sacred site for the tribes of the Western United States and many Plains tribes, including the Kiowa. If you’re looking for a fun, restful family trip in Yellowstone National Park, make sure you plan a day of mineral study and searching away from the more populated areas.
The Native people of what is now the United States gathered obsidian for tools back as far as 500 BCE. If you are up for a more rugged hike, it’s possible to visit Obsidian Cliff. Travelers may also appreciate a hike in the northern area of the park to study the black minerals, such as magnetite, that forced their way to the surface as magma during the formation of the mountains.
It’s important to note that many of the sites monitored by the Native American tribes of today are still in use and viewed as sacred. For example, the Medicine Wheel in the Bighorn Mountains can be studied by visitors but may be in use on the day you visit. You are welcome to observe, but a request for silence may be in place. Because this isn’t always possible for very young children, it’s crucial that you call ahead to make sure that the site is open to guest.
Of course, it is critical that none of these sites are altered or damaged in any way. Do be prepared for an entrance fee and be ready to tip your guide unless prohibited. Be aware that you may or may not be able to camp near the site you wish to see; check with local tribes about camping fees in the area.
