Discovering Ancient Ruins on a Wrong Turn in Utah 🤠

In the quest to find The Moqui house ruins in south central Utah I hiked into the wrong canyon but found amazing wildlife, ancient ruins and some amazing ancient pottery, arrowheads and artifacts.

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Lost and Found: Discovering Ancient Ruins on a Wrong Turn in Utah

Utah’s rugged beauty is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts, offering vast deserts, towering red rock formations, and sprawling canyons. It’s a paradise for hiking, camping, and overlanding, but venturing into this remote wilderness without proper preparation can quickly turn into an unexpected adventure. For us, a simple misstep led to the discovery of something extraordinary: ancient Anasazi ruins and petroglyphs, hidden for over 1,000 years.

The desert sun cast long shadows as my dad and I laced up our hiking boots, ready for an outdoor adventure on Comb Ridge, Utah's iconic sandstone monocline. I had planned a straightforward day of exploration, armed only with a sense of curiosity and a love for hiking and overlanding. What I hadn’t anticipated was the twist in the journey—a wrong turn on an unmarked trail that led me into an unforgettable encounter with the echoes of an ancient civilization.

Comb Ridge, stretching for miles across southeastern Utah, is a hiker’s dream: rugged terrain, sweeping vistas, and whispers of history embedded in its sandstone folds. I arrived to the canyon later in the day than I had wanted to and packed light—water, snacks, and my camera—thinking I’d be back by early evening.

It all started with a plan for a straightforward day hike. The trail twisted and turned, weaving through dramatic sandstone cliffs and dry riverbeds. Confident we were on the right path, we pressed on, marveling at the untouched beauty of the Utah wilderness. But we noticed there were no other footprints on the trail we followed. It wasn't long after entering the canyon that we found petroglyphs. Just a short distance from there were the ancient ruins. Ancient pottery shards littered the ground as well as rock fragments from when the ancient indigenous people made their stone tools.

The craftsmanship and ingenuity of these ancient people left me humbled. This wasn’t just a wrong turn—it was a portal to a forgotten world. Excitement replaced the fatigue of the hike as we explored further. Just beyond the petroglyphs, tucked into a natural alcove in the canyon wall, we found the ruins of what appeared to be an ancient dwelling and grainery.

The Anasazi ruins and petroglyphs I found reminded me of the richness of history that lies hidden in plain sight, waiting to be uncovered by those willing to wander off the beaten path. The wrong trail, it turns out, was the right one after all.

As the sun dipped lower, painting the canyon walls in warm hues of gold and red, I realized I needed to head back. The thrill of discovery had made me lose track of time. Every misstep on the adventure felt purposeful, leading me to something I hadn’t planned but desperately needed—a reminder of the enduring connection between humanity and the land.

When we finally got back to camp I cooked beans over the campfire, reflecting on the day’s journey. It struck me how the outdoors constantly offer opportunities for exploration and wonder, even when plans go awry. Overlanding, camping and hiking in places like Comb Ridge isn’t just about reaching a destination; it’s about the adventure in the journey.

Utah is more than a geological marvel; it’s a bridge between the past and present, a place where adventure, mystery, and beauty converge. For those who crave the outdoors and the thrill of the unknown, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the best experiences happen when you lose your way.