What Is The Smallest National Landmark In Colorado?

From Colorado’s 14er mountains to its wide-open spaces, several of our state’s meaningful landmarks stand out in a big way – but not all of them. Have you ever wondered which National Landmark is the smallest one?

From Mesa Verde to Grand Mesa, the Western Slope is home to a significant amount of protected land. While this tiny slice of southwest Colorado may go unnoticed by most, its significance dates back at least 700 years.

Defining the Terms

A state like Colorado is loaded with historically significant places. National Parks are created by acts of Congress to preserve natural landscapes. National Monuments protect historic, cultural, and scientific features and are designated by Presidential proclamation. National Historic Landmarks are designated by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, based on recommendations from the National Park Service (NPS)

Colorado’s Smallest National Monument: Yucca House

Read More: Why Did Colorado Abolish Two National Monuments?

If you have been to Colorado’s smallest National Landmark, you probably deserve an award for being able to follow directions. Yucca House National Monument doesn’t have a visitor center, paved trails, or big signs — and that’s part of why some folks like it. The property protects centuries of Ancestral Puebloan history, and it might be the least-visited, federally protected historic site in Colorado.

Where is Yucca House National Monument?

The Yucca House National Monument is a tiny federal archeological site in Montezuma County, Colorado. The original site, 9.5 acres, was protected in 1919. NPS says the site, which started smaller than most city parks, has grown to 194 acres over the years, thanks to generous donations. The site contains largely unexcavated pueblo ruins dating back to A.D. 1100–1300. Visitors should expect dirt-road access, no facilities, and a self-guided tour.

Why Yucca House Matters — And Other Tiny Standouts

It’s rather amazing that the site remains largely untouched. When you see this site, you see a rare, intact window into Ancestral Puebloan life. The site may be one of the smallest protected lands in Colorado, but it’s big on significance. Other tiny Federal Landmarks around the state include:

• Lowry Pueblo — National Historic Landmark. Roughly 3 acres of archaeological ruins near Pleasant View.
• Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge — Smallest Urban Refuge. A 72-acre urban wildlife refuge in Arvada (not a NPS unit, but federally protected).

Read More: 9 Surprising Secrets of the Colorado National Monument