yucca house national monument

DO SOME HOMEWORK! This is a primitive site, as is made very clear both on the website and at the helpful visitors center in Cortez. Driving directions are also very clear. It is very unfair to expect dazzling reconstructions, video explanations, or snack bars, or to label it "terrible". There is no interpretive information on-site nor any facilities, and it was actually somewhat difficult (for me) to make out the overall layout of the pueblo and structures, but a little patience will yield some idea of its scale, and perhaps an appreciation for the overall setting in a near-ideal location. If you are on a "highlights" tour or want an entertainment site, this should not be on your list. I'm sure it is of great research value and is a good example for non-experts like me of an undeveloped site, and a chance to use some imagination. I would recommend it for those with more than a superficial interest in the Ancestral Puebloans. Parenthetically, the landowner whose property the access road crosses is currently petitioning the county commissioners to have the road closed. The hearing is scheduled for 9/8/14. If it remains open, please be considerate of the surrounding private property.

Yucca House is an unexcavated site so you have to do a little searching to see the ruins. If you go to the National Park Service website for Yucca House, click on History and Culture and then the visitor guide to the site, there is a small map to the site pointing out the ruins. Unfortunately, tripadvisor will not allow me to post a link to the website.Getting to Yucca House is an adventure in itself. The access to the site is on private property. You have to drive up a very long driveway to get to the site. If you miss the drive, there is a sign that will point you back in the right direction. There is a small parking area. For the most part, the Park Service directions to the site are accurate.The site is small. I spent about 2 hours there trying to figure out what I was supposed to see (I didn't research the site first) but when I did start seeing the ruins, as well as pottery fragments on the ground (please leave them for everyone to enjoy) it was awesome! If you're in the area, I highly recommend a stop. There are no facilities at the site but there is a gas station/convenience store on the main road nearby.

Have been here several times and just learned Mesa Verde (who administers this unit of the NPS) will be offering several ranger-led tours of Yucca House each week this summer! You can ask at Mesa Verde for a site bulletin with directions to Yucca House (the road to the monument crosses private lands and so is the parking area on private land) and they have a National Parks Passport Stamp too. Once you get directions you can go to the site, respecting the landowners you'll pass on your way there.Once at the site park off the road and walk a short distance to the gate. Write your name in the register, open and close the gate behind you. Enjoy walking around the site. This isn't developed, so no access for wheelchairs, strollers, etc. You'll find pottery sherds on the ground. Please don't take them: that act is illegal (Antiquities Act of 1906) and they should be left where you find them. Watch for snakes!

We could not find this "National Monument" so stopping at the Navajo visitor center at the intersection of Hwys 491 & 160 we asked and were told the road to it was closed. No further information given. I do not think based on the other reviews this site is worthy of the National Monument distinction.

Do NOT bother unless you really want to see real ruins, untouched (so to speak). For most this would look like a pile of rocks because nothing has been done except to "protect it" by making it a National Park. The directions are unbelievable and I have no idea who wrote them or how long ago. They are horrible. It maybe because they do not want most average Joe's to try and find the park. However, it is really not that hard, we found it on the first go. One hint, there is NO paved road to cross, it is dirt. I honestly would not even try unless this is something you are really really interested in seeing. Please remember, everything is on private property so be respectful and please make sure if you find gates closed, close them behind you driving or walking. No services, so use the bathroom and bring drinks with you.

Visited all the rest of the National Parks/Monuments in the area - better not miss this one - it's on the map, but found no information on it! There is a reason - you're not finding it!It even came up on the Tom Tom - but we never found the ruins - themselves!For a NATIONAL MONUMENT?!?! You'd think there would be better signage or help finding it! How can a National Monument not be marked!Don't waste the time! We even asked some people around the area and they'd never heard of the place!

We explored this set of ruins on our way back to Arizona and as the NPS stated on its website, there are no direction signs to the place. You must follow the paper directions to a tee or you will get lost. The ruins themselves are mostly unexcavated and all you will see are a few standing walls. We stayed here for all of ten minutes. There is a box at the entrance where you sign in but there were no brochures in the box. You must close the gates behind you as it is surrounded by private property. Recommended for those who are deeply interested in ancestral Pueblo ruins, but not for others.