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Background |
Farmington is part of San Juan County which covers 5,560 square miles. This is an area larger than the entire state of Connecticut. Farmington is surrounded by world class scenic and historic treasures, from Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon to Shiprock Pinnacle. The history of the Farmington area dates back over 2,000 years when Anasazi lived in "pit houses" throughout the region. They later built pueblo structures from the native sandstone rock like those at Aztec and Salmon ruins, as well as many other archeological sites in the surrounding countryside. After the Anasazi's mysterious disappearance about 1500, the area was inhabited by the Navajo, Jicarilla Apache and the Utes into the present time. Native Americans called the area "Totah," which translates as "where three rivers meet," the La Plata, Animas and San Juan. | |
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Leah
has put together some suggested itineraries for you. |
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1 Day Tour |
Tour Day 1: Begin you day with a visit to the Farmington Museum. There you will learn about the culture and history of the Four Corners Area. Then drive to the Aztec Ruins is one of the largest and best restored Anasazi ruins. The Visitor Center and small museum is located at the park entrance where you can pick up a map and a very helpful and informative trail guide for a self-guided tour. The tour leads from the visitor center through the pueblo ruin and into the Great Kiva. Bring a picnic lunch! Picnic tables are located under the shelter of a grove of cottonwoods next to the ruins. It is a wonderful place to reflect the history of the Anasazi (and read your guidebook). | |
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2 Day Tour
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If You Have 2 Days, spend the first day as suggested above. In the morning, visit Salmon Ruins, one of the region's larger prehistoric Anasazi sites. There is a museum and archeological research center at the ruins. You can pick up a self-guided trail map that describes artifacts and the excavated ruins. If you are here in the summer, visit the Outdoor Summer Theater in the evening. | |
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3 Day Tour
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If You Have 3 Days, spend the first 2 days as outlined above. On the third day, visit Chaco Canyon. The road from the north passes Cly Canyon, some Anasazi ruins, and leads to the visitor center and more important ruins. Stop in the Visitor Center to get a map, or we recommend a ranger-led tour of the ruin sites. If you go on your own, start at Pueblo Bonito the classic group dwelling which contained more than 600 rooms and had 40 round kivas (ceremonial chambers where rituals were carried out). If you have only a half-day to explore the park, this is the pueblo to see first. Then visit Chetro Ketl, Casa Rinconada, Tsin Kletsin. A hiking trail leads to the path of Tsin Kletsin and leads to the mesa areas on both sides of the canyon. Your last stop will be Pueblo Alta, sitting on the mesa above Pueblo Bonito, is an important site at the junction of several major Anasazi roads. Then Take the Hwy. 371 exit from Chaco (ask the Visitor Center for directions) and travel 6 miles north to the Bisti/De-na-zin Wilderness turn-off. Travel 2 miles on a gravel road to the fenced off area. A federally protected area full of strange geological formations, badlands and fossils, the area provides excellent hiking and photography. The best formations are about a two-mile hike due east into the area. No services or facilities are available, so bring water, food and other necessities. | |
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Farmington
Museum - The new Farmington Museum
at Gateway boasts a superb view of the Animas River from the glass
enclosed Atrium. The rich history of Farmington's past from early
pioneer settlement to the present-day is displayed in this exhibition.
Created to celebrate Farmington's centennial year, the exhibit
highlights many of the people, places, businesses and events that made
Farmington what it is today. The exhibition explores early settlement
history, the area's agricultural past and the growth and development of
the town to a regional city. |
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| Aztec
Ruins National Monument is a
450-room pueblo ancestral to modern puebloan communities. First built in
the early 1100s and used by people related to Chaco, it was later
modified and used by people more akin to the Mesa Verde region.
Reconstructed Great Kiva served as the center for community-wide events
and ceremonies. For more info visit: http://www.desertusa.com/azrnm/aztecnm.html http://www.ausbcomp.com/redman/Aztec_Ruins.htm address: 14 miles east on Hwy. 550 phone: (505) 334 6174 (voice or TDD) hours: Daily 8am to 5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Days admission: $4 adult, kids 16 and under free. Golden Age, Eagle & Access accepted |
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Salmon
Ruins is one of the largest outlying colonies
built in the Chacoan style during the 11th century. Museum exhibits
display prehistoric Anasazi pottery and other artifacts, such as Navajo
and Spanish cultural items. Heritage Park is comprised of reconstructed
dwelling and habitation areas, forming a "timeline of San Juan
Basin history."A picnic area is available. address: 10 miles east of Farmington on Hwy. 64 phone: (505) 632 2013. hours: Open daily 9am - 5pm. November - March Sunday hours 12 noon - 5pm admission: $3 adult, $2 senior, $1 child 6-16 years-old, children under 6 are free. |
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| Outdoor Summer Theater are performed at 8 pm in a natural sandstone amphitheater at the Lion's Wilderness Park with an optional Southwest-style dinner served at 6:30 pm prior to each performance. The 2001 season runs June 20 through August 11. | ||
| Chaco
Canyon was the center of the Anasazi culture
from AD 900-1100. It contains the largest excavated prehistoric ruins in
North America. Visitor center and campground available, no services. For more info visit: http://www.desertusa.com/chaco/index.html http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/archeology/archeology.html http://www.onroute.com/destinations/new_mexico/chaco.html address: 75 miles south on Hwy. 64/Hwy. 44, with 20 miles of dirt road - subject to weather conditions. Access from north via Hwy. 44 to CR 7900; access from south via NM 57 off Navajo 9 phone: (505) 786 7014 hours: Park open sunrise to sunset year-round visitor center hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day 8 am - 6 pm Labor Day to Memorial Day 8 am - 5 pm. Closed on Christmas and New Year's days. admission: $8 per car. Camping: $10 per night. |
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| Bisti/De-Na-Zin
Wilderness is a
Federally-protected area of petrified logs and other fossils that are
scattered among numerous scenic and colorful land forms. The best
formations are a 2-mile hike east of the parking area. address: 37 miles south on Hwy. 371 with 2 miles of gravel road |
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Vietnam Memorial |
The Memorial at Farmington, New Mexico, honors Vietnam Veterans, living and dead, from the Four Corners region. The Four Corners region includes areas on the boundary of New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. | |
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Farmer's Market |
San
Juan Co Farmers' Market in Farmington offers
you the freshest fruits and vegetables available anywhere. Meet the
people who grow your food - face to face - and enjoy the vibrant
flavors, aromas and colors of the New Mexico harvest. address: Animas Park off Browning Parkway phone: Jan Tomko at (505) 327 7757. Email: jtomko@hotmail.com hours: Saturdays 8 am - 11:30 am; Tuesdays 4:30 - 6:30 pm season: July 14 - October admission: Free! |
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Angel Park Recreational Area |
Angel
Park Recreational Area is a
40-million-year-old geologic formation surrounded by badlands, the
dwelling place of "sacred ones"to the Navajo people. Includes
camping and picnic units with a fireplace and table, no water or
services. address: 15 miles south of Bloomfield on Hwy. 44, with 6 miles of gravel road. |
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B Square Ranch |
B
Square Ranch is a 12,000-acre
ranch, wildlife preserve and experimental farm. Owned and operated by
Tommy Bolack. Tours by appointment only. address: 3901 Bloomfield Hwy., (south of Farmington on Hwy. 64). phone: (505) 325 4275 |
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Shiprock Pinnacle
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Shiprock Pinnacle is composed of igneous rock flanked by long upright walls of solidified lava, the rock is sacred to the Navajos who call it "Tse Bit'a'i'" -- rock with wings. Best viewing is west of Farmington on Hwy. 64 or south of Shiprock on Hwy. 666. Climbing is not permitted. | |
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Four Corners Monument
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Four
Corners Monument is the only point in the U.S.
where four states meet. It features an Indian marketplace with handmade
arts and crafts. address: 60 miles northwest on Hwy. 160. phone: hours: admission: $20/bus; $2.50/person. |
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Road
Apple Rally |
The
Road Apple Rally is the longest running annual mountain bike race in the
world. It started in 1981 and this year will celebrate its 22nd
anniversary! World class pro mountain bikers such as Ned Overend, Greg
Herbold, Daryl Price, and John Tomac love competing in the Road Apple. A
favorite of the pros and armatures alike! For more information visit http://www.roadapplerally.com/info.html |
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Farmington FAQs,
Insider Tips and Links Great Travel Tips Our Favorite Travel Links http://www.newmexico.org |
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If
you have any comments or if you have any full or half day trips you
would like to add, we would be very happy to share them with the world! Send all the details to info@destinationcoupons.com |
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