In the mid-to-late 1800s, archaeology played a significant role in shaping the development of the Antiquities Act of 1906, one of the first major pieces of U.S. legislation passed by congress and signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt and designed to protect our nation’s cultural and natural heritage.

Join Crow Canyon Archaeological Center for an unforgettable week as you delve into the history, impact, and ongoing relevance of the Antiquity Act, gain a deeper understanding of the challenges surrounding land rights, development, and protections, and hear the perspectives of diverse stakeholders who share our public lands.

Davina Smith-Idjesa is Diné (Navajo) from Monument Valley, Utah, born to the Ta’chii’ nii (Red Running into the Water) clan and born for the Ta’ baa ha’ (Edgewater) clan. She serves as Co-Chair of the Bears Ears Intertribal Coalition.

Clay Jenkinson is a distinguished public humanities scholar, prolific author of 13 books, and renowned historical impersonator (Chautauquan), widely recognized for his portrayals of figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, Meriwether Lewis, and other historical figures. 

Susan C. Ryan, Executive Vice President of the Research Institute at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center is an anthropological archaeologist with nearly three decades of experience in research, collaborative projects, and public education.

Mesa Verde National Park: Explore the site that ignited national debate over looting and directly led to the 1906 Antiquities Act.

Bears Ears National Monument: Learn from the Intertribal Coalition about Indigenous leadership and the first co-managed monument.

Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park: Experience Tribal stewardship as an alternative to federal management and its role in shaping government-to-government relationships.

This Cultural Exploration blends engaging scholarship, rich storytelling, and immersive experiences in the Southwest’s most iconic and culturally significant landscapes. Travel with a small group of learners, enjoy comfortable accommodations, and share meals that foster conversation and camaraderie. Activities include presentations, roundtable discussions, guided tours, short hikes, and exclusive museum access. Some days involve longer drives through scenic terrain, offering time to reflect and connect with the land. Whether listening to President Roosevelt brought to life in Chautauqua style, walking among ancient cliff dwellings, or hearing Indigenous voices share perspectives on stewardship, you’ll gain a nuanced understanding of the Antiquities Act’s enduring impact.

What time does the program start on the first day? Please arrive at the hotel in Cortez, CO by 4:00 p.m. The program begins at 5:00 p.m.

What time does the program end on the last day? The final day is a departure travel day. The last group activity is Friday evening, and participants are free to depart any time on Saturday.

Can I arrive early and/or stay late? Yes. Sometimes hotels will extend our group rate to individuals arriving early or staying after the program. If you plan to arrive early or stay later, you will need to arrange your own transportation outside of the start and end dates of the program. Contact the Program Manager for more information. 

How strenuous is the program? This program is moderately easy. There are two hikes planned with some off-camber trails, loose footing, and elevation gains and losses along the route. Hikes will be paced comfortably with support as needed. The majority of the trip involves short hikes on dirt and paved trails.

How long are the hikes on the trip? Expect two days where we hike approximately 3 miles (each day). 

How much elevation gain do the hikes have? Approximately 300 feet total gain/loss.

Will there be opportunities for swimming? Yes, some hotels have pools available.

From which airports will transportation be provided? Transportation will be provided from the Durango and Cortez airports on the first and last day of the trip.

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How long are the drives on the program? Some days include two to three hours of driving with stops along the route.

Will bathroom facilities be readily available throughout the event? Most days offer convenient access to bathroom facilities, and we will stop at the first available locations on the days where those facilities are not as prevalent.

Can I drive myself during the program? No.

Can I bring an RV to stay in instead? Participants must travel with the group in Crow Canyon vehicles. RVs are not appropriate for this Cultural Exploration. 

What if I have a dietary restriction? We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions to your satisfaction. Make a note of restrictions and requests on your medical information form. If you have questions, contact the Program Manager to discuss options and needs.

This program requires special permission from Mesa Verde National Park, the BLM-Monticello, and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. 

Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California CST 2059347-50

• Deposit is fully refundable minus service and processing fees until 90 days prior to the program date.
  

• Full payment due 90 days prior to the program start date.
  

• If cancellation notice is received between 90 days and 60 days from the program start date, 50% of the tuition will be retained
  

• If cancellation notice is received between 60 days and the program start date, 100% of the tuition will be retained.
  

Arrive at Crow Canyon's campus, located in the great sage plain, and dive straight into the adventure! We'll begin with introductions, a delicious dinner, and an overview designed to spark your curiosity for the week ahead.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Express, Cortez

Immerse yourself in the 170-acre wonderland of Crow Canyon as we learn about the Mesa Verde region's ancestral farmers and the pivotal, 19th-century events that set the stage for the passage of the Antiquities Act.

Participate in an interactive, dynamic Q&A with “President Theodore Roosevelt” (portrayed by Clay Jenkinson) and discuss his vision for the preservation, conservation, and use of public lands.

Throughout the day we will stretch our legs on scenic nature trails to a reconstructed pithouse and pueblo. We'll cap off this incredible day with a stimulating roundtable discussion.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Express, Cortez

Travel to Mesa Verde National Park and spend the day exploring 800-year-old ancestral villages. Discuss the influence and impacts of the Wetherill family and Gustaf Nordenskiöld with respect to the national narrative surrounding cultural preservation.

While Mesa Verde’s establishment as a national park in 1906 was hailed as a preservation triumph, it also restricted Indigenous access to sacred homelands still central to traditional and ceremonial life.

Visit the park’s museum to learn how the Antiquities Act was leveraged to support the nation's first in-park cultural museum. After checking into the historic Far View Lodge perched at Mesa Verde's highest point, enjoy dinner at the Metate Room and reflect on the day's lessons beneath a starlit sky.

Overnight: Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde National Park

Adjacent to Mesa Verde, embark on a unique and unforgettable journey to the Ute Mountain Tribal Park and learn about the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe's connection to, and stewardship of, traditional landscapes. The Tribal Park reflects the Ute Mountain Ute people’s sovereignty and self-determination in caring for ancestral lands. This experience highlights contrasting models of land care—federal authority versus Indigenous governance—that continue to shape public land policy.

Later, enjoy a behind-the-scenes curation tour at the Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center with a discussion focusing on the repatriation of ancestors and their belongings removed by Gustav Nordenskiöld and transported to Helsinki, Finland in 1891. After a delicious dinner in Cortez, we make our way to Bluff, Utah, our home for the next two nights.

Overnight: Desert Rose Inn; Bluff, Utah

Visit the Bears Ears Education Center to learn about the Bears Ears Intertribal Coalition’s role in establishing the first U.S. monument in U.S. history co-managed by Indigenous nations—a transformative model for reimagining preservation policy in ways that honor living cultural connections to the land and correct exclusions of the past.

Explore ancestral places in Bears Ears National Monument and engage in thought-provoking conversations and multifaceted issues surrounding land use, including ranching, mining, tourism, and the cultural heritage preservation.

Overnight: Desert Rose Inn; Bluff, Utah

Traverse the backroads of Utah and Colorado, crossing a mosaic of Ute, Diné, private, and federal lands to visit Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. Discuss how monuments affect local economies and Indigenous continuity, including access to sacred places, traditional practices, and oral histories. These voices expand the conversation about what “public land” truly means. Return to Cortez for a celebratory dinner and a final discussion, reinforcing the connections and insights gained throughout the journey.

Overnight: Holiday Inn Express, Cortez

Crow Canyon provides airport shuttles to Cortez and Durango airports. Depart with lasting memories and a deeper understanding of cultural stewardship.