Out-of-the-classroom Learning Opportunities Abound for Active Families in Farmington

 

Farmington, NM – June 23, 2016

 

Learning doesn’t have to be just a school-year activity, and luckily for active families, it can be done outdoors in Farmington, New Mexico. Farmington, known as the basecamp for outdoor activities in the surrounding areas, is where outdoor lovers and active families can thrive this summer. 

 

The National Park Service is celebrating their Centennial in August, and the Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau invites outdoor lovers to celebrate with NPS by taking a special vacation to Farmington to tour six fascinating National Park Service sites—all in one vacation. 

 

“With the National Park Service celebrating their one hundredth year, there’s no better time than now to come out to Farmington and explore the national treasures and hidden gems of the Four Corners Region,” said Tonya Stinson, Executive Director of Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Visitors will not only get to take in breathtaking sights and find their inner adventurer, but they’ll also get to be a part of the nation’s history by celebrating this Centennial. Whether you’re a native New Mexican who hasn’t yet ventured to all six of the NPS sites in your backyard or looking for a unique destination, Farmington is the hub for outdoor adventure this summer.” 

 

Farmington sits at the heart of a region rich with National Parks, historic sites, monuments, and trails, while still having all of the amenities of a larger city, making it the ideal basecamp for visitors to the area. The Four Corners Region is home to the following National Park Service sites:

 

Explore culture and history at the Aztec Ruins. Follow the migration journey of ancient Pueblo people, and immerse yourself in their culture by exploring the 900-year old ancestral Pueblo Great House with over 400 masonry rooms and original timbers still supporting the roof. 

 

Take part in guided tours, evening campfire talks, night sky programs, or hike and bike through a preserved slice of history at Chaco Canyon, where you can explore ancestral Pueblo dwellings dating back to between 850 and 1250 A.D. 

 

Step back in time and tour an archaeological preserve known for its concentration of cliff dwellings. 

 

Home to the ruins of six Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) communities, the fascinating Hovenweep National Monument stretches from the Utah and Colorado border, and is a must-see for all history buffs and nature lovers. 

 

Set in the heart of Navajo Nation, the longest continually inhabited canyons of the Colorado Plateau have been home to over five thousand years of Navajo families, dwellings, and farms. 

 

As the name implies, this natural gem showcases three natural bridges (Kachina, Owachomo, and Sipapu—named for the Native Americans who once resided in the area). These breathtaking sites can be viewed from an overlook or by hiking the trails and getting a closer view, eyeing the magnificent formations from below. 

 

“The Four Corners region is rich with NPS sites, culture, history and outdoor actives,” added Stinson. “The best part is that, after an active day of exploring, Farmington offers incredible lodging, shopping, dining and recreation options to make it a well rounded trip. We encourage all to jolt their summer journeys, to incorporate year-round learning outside of the classroom for children and adults alike and to make this summer vacation one to remember for every member of the family by visiting Farmington and exploring the surrounding areas.”

 

For those looking to expand their National Park tour into other parts of the state, New Mexico is home to 19 National Park Service sites, monuments, trails, historical parks, preserves, and heritage areas.  For more information on learning opportunities for kids, parks, dining, lodging, events and attractions in Farmington, NM, visit FarmingtonNM.org.