Montezuma Castle National Monument protects this stone fortress/Kurt Repanshek

Arizona is rich in history -- from the 1800s all the way back to the Late Triassic Period. Stitch together this trip that winds out of Flagstaff to Montezuma Castle National Monument, to Petrified Forest National Park, and ends at Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site. You'™ll experience fascinating chapters of geologic and cultural history.

At Montezuma Castle, 45 minutes south of Flagstaff and just off Interstate 17 (Exit 289), stand before a 5-story-tall cliff dwelling that offered safety from invaders: 100 feet above the valley floor, nestled into an alcove. The site was misnamed Montezuma Castle in the late 1800s by whites who thought the structure had been built by the Aztec people. The original owners, members of the Southern Sinagua people, called this area home from roughly 1100-1425 A.D.

A short trail loops around a vegetated landscape below the 'œcastle,' and provides  great views as well of the remains of Castle A, which once rose 60 feet and was home to about 100 residents.

From there, it'™s 95 miles via Arizona 87 to Winslow, and then 34 miles east on Interstate 40 to Holbrook. Another 19 miles southeast on Arizona 180 and you'll enter Petrified Forest National Park and its unusual landscape. 

Roam along the Blue Mesa Trail at Petrified Forest and you'll be surrounded by chunks of wood turned to stone/Kurt Repanshek

There'™s no lodging within the park, and you have to leave by sundown, so you will need to make some tough decisions if you have just one day. Do you take time to tour the Rainbow Forest Museum with its dinosaur displays, or hike out to Agate House? A building built of petrified wood is pretty cool, so we'™d suggest you stretch your legs. Then head to the Crystal Forest Trail and wander this path, surrounded by petrified wood with its hues of yellow, red, and green, black and white. 

Blue Mesa is another great stop. There's a trail that takes you down into another colorful landscape of badlands and chunks, logs, and even slabs of petrified wood. The northern end of the road is anchored by the Painted Desert, a great place for sunset photos. You'™ll also see the Painted Desert Inn, which some day could put the Park Service back into the lodging business.

Back on Interstate 40, drive 22 miles east to Chambers, and then north on U.S. 191 for about 38 miles to Ganado and Hubbell Trading Post. This authentic trading post was opened by John Lorenzo Hubbell in 1878 on the Navajo Reservation. Although it was added to the National Park System in 1967, it's not a museum piece but an active trading post. As such, it still holds richly woven Navajo rugs, jewelry, and other Native American artworks for purchase.  

Schedule your visit for May and you just might be able to attend the annual Native American Art Auction. Check with the park (928-755-3475) for the exact date.

From Hubbell, it'™s a three hours back to Flagstaff. But you could extend your trip by heading 39 miles north on 191 to Canyon de Chelly National Monument.