Legends in Stone

Explore legends in stone as you hike your way through history and explore Indian Caves in Arizona. Read on to explore the caves dwellings, pit houses and pueblos they once called home.

Indian Caves in Arizona

When hiking to Indian Caves in Arizona, please keep in mind the ability levels of your travel group. Also consider that Arizona summers are scorching hot.  Careful planning is a must!

I’ve included sites for younger children or those not fit for the challenge as well as sites for the hardy, active crew. The alphabetized list below will help you find the perfect Indian Cave or Ancient Ruin for your family! You can also find a link to a google map at the end of this blog that lists all the sites that are detailed here- and more!

If you’re interested in exploring other caves around the United States, be sure to read our blog about the caves in Pennsylvania.

Types of Ancient Indian Dwellings

These photos, taken by gjhikes.com give a great visual of the different types of dwellings used by the native people of North America.

Tribal Names

Please note that Merriam-Webster defines “Navajo” as a member of an Indigenous people of northern New Mexico, Arizona and Southern Utah. Specific tribes have their own names including Hohokam, Hopi, Zuni, Apache and many more. Enhance you understanding by including one or more of these activities into your adventure.

1. Agua Fria National Monument 

• Location: Black Canyon City, AZ 85324
• Cost: Free
• Visitors Center: None
• Accessibility Tips: High clearance vehicles are recommended for some areas. Paths are not paved, but easy to hike.

Agua Fria National Monument has more than 450 recorded prehistoric sites including Pueblo La Plata, a major settlement of stone masonry pueblos. Dating back to before 1200 AD, the Pueblo La Plata ruins are not nearly as impressive as those of Cooper Forks or Pueblo Canyon but the hike is certainly much easier.

There is still plenty of broken pottery on the ground, and although it is super exciting for kids to find pottery sherds, you must leave them where you found them. Discuss with your children what the ancient people must have used this pottery for and have them make up stories about what their lives must have been like.

While in Agua Fria National Monument, be sure to spend time looking for the many petroglyphs carved into rocks, cool off by the cascading waterfalls, and keep your eye out for wildlife, like elk, black bears and mountain lions.  Use this site to including directions to popular hiking trails.

2.  Besh-Ba-Gowah Museum and Archaeological Park  

• Location: 1324 S. Jesse Hayes Rd. Globe, AZ 85501
• Cost: $5 for adults/$4 for seniors/Children under 12 are free
• Visitors Center: 9am-4:30 7 days a week
• Accessibility: Museum is fully accessible. Paved paths that wind throughout the park with stunning views of the ruins are suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The actual pueblo ruins are located higher up on the ridge and require climbing on uneven terrain and navigating steps.

Besh-Ba-Gowah is perfect for curious travelers of all ages. Step back in time as you view the impressive pueblo ruin built by the Salado people. Explore the partially reconstructed village perched on a ridge, giving a glimpse into the lives of ancient people who once called it home.

Wander among the multi-story rooms, gaze at petroglyphs, and soak in desert views.

Use this site to find out more about this historical location.

3. Betatakin Cliff Dwelling (Navajo National Monument)

• Location: Betatakin, Tsegi Canyon Rd, Kayenta, AZ 86033 (at the end of AZ Highway 564 and about 9 miles from Highway 160) 
• Cost: Free
• Visitors Center: 9am-5pm
• Accessibility: Strenuous hike that is only available through guided tours by the National Park Service.

Exploring Betatakin Cliff Dwelling in Navajo National Monument is a unique, educational experience for families with older children or teens, but it requires careful planning and a realistic look at everyone’s hiking abilities.

As a result of the strenuous 5-mile hike, a guided tour by the national park service is required. This hike covers a significant elevation change. It is not suitable for young children or anyone with mobility issues. You can see the ruins from afar by following the Sandal Trail behind the visitor center.

Reservations are required to hike to the ruins.
 

4. Canyon de Chelly National Monument

• Location: Indian Rte. 7, Chinle, AZ 86503
• Cost: Free
• Visitors Center: Open 8am-5pm daily
• Accessibility:  The visitor center, parking lot and several overlooks on the rim drives are wheelchair/stroller accessible. The canyon itself has limited access as Navajo families live there.

            Be sure to stop by the visitors center to get acquainted with the area, grab a map, sign up for guided hikes with a park ranger, check to see which trails may be closed and visit the gift shop! On your own, drive to the north rim of the canyon for 3 beautiful scenic overlooks. Here you can see Antelope House Ruins, built by the ancestral puebloans. Six stunning vistas are visible from the south rim. Be sure to stop at Spider Rock Overlook, a nice view of the canyon and the monolith the Navajo people call Tsé Ná ashjéé’.

There is also a series of very interesting ancient cave dwellings along the cliff face that have a structure built inside each cave. A truly unique community!  Another option is to hire a local Navajo guide from a private company to get an immersive experience and a first hand look inside the canyon.

Tours can be by foot trails, horseback, or vehicle. Note: The popular White House Ruins Trail has been closed since 2020 due to numerous break ins at the trailhead.

Click here for a free Junior Ranger Worksheet.

5. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

• Location: 1100 W Ruins Dr, Coolidge, AZ 85128
• Cost: Free
• Visitors Center: 9-4pm daily
• Accessibility: The museum and the path to the main tower house are wheelchair and stroller friendly, but some of the offshoots to nearby ruins are uneven and rough.

The centerpiece at this location is the four-story structure known as the Casa Grande, believed to have been built by the Hohokam people between 1300 and 1450 BC. You can’t climb it, but you can walk around the base and admire its unique architecture. Explore additional ruins, including a ball court and several smaller structures by exploring some of the side trails.

A small museum offers an informative movie about the Hohokam people and their culture as well as exhibits and artifacts. Walk along self-guided trails to get closer to the ruins and immerse yourself in the desert landscape.

During peak season (mid-November to early March), guided tours led by the national park service provide access to restricted areas, but it is advisable to call ahead to be sure the tours are staffed the day you plan on visiting. Kids can construct a paper tower replica or color a picture to help them remember their visit here. 

6. Colossal Cave

• Location: 16721 E Old Spanish Trail, Vail, AZ 85641
• Cost: $24-$135 depending on age/tour selected
• Visitors Center: 9-4pm Friday – Sunday, 9-3pm (Monday – Thursday)
• Accessibility:  The cave is not accessible for strollers/wheelchairs.

Long before its first inhabitants –water erosion created the complex underground labyrinth. This 22 mile long cave, south of Tucson was used as a temporary shelter by the prehistoric Hohokam people. Today it is an adventurous spot for exploration by people of all ages.

The visitors center is a sprawling stone building built by the CCC in the 1930s. Inside is a museum, historic photographs, restrooms, and a ticket booth for purchasing tickets to tour the cave.

7. Havasupi in Grand Canyon 

• Location: Grand Canyon
• Cost: $100-$125 per person – advanced reservations on the Havasupai Website is required
• Visitors Center: There are 7 centers in the Grand Canyon. The South Rim Visitors Center is the closest.
• Accessibility:  This is a strenuous 8 mile hike. 

Havasupi people have been living in a tiny hidden village at the bottom of the Grand Canyon for more than 1,000 years. Less than 250 people still call it home, yet thousands will try to score reservations to visit the turquoise blue waterfalls that spill out over the red rocks into stunning pools of beauty. 

Visitors must secure special permission from the Havasupai Tribal Council for entry.  A limited number of permits are given each year.  Between February and November, guests have the option to lodge at the tribe’s modest accommodations or obtain permits for overnight camping near Havasu and Mooney Falls. Alternatively, those who prefer to skip the four-hour hike can opt for a quick four-minute helicopter ride into Supai for an extra fee.
 

8. Homolovi State Park

• Location: AZ-87, Winslow, AZ 86047
• Cost: $7.00 per vehicle (4 people) or $3.00 for individual
• Visitors Center: 7am-5pm through September 15th (The park is open year round)
• Accessibility:  Several trails are wheelchair/stroller friendly! You can use Google Earth at this site to explore the paths virtually before planning your trip: 

The original name for Winslow, Arizona is “Homolovi” or “Place of the Little Hills”. Ancestral Hopi dwellings at Homolovi State Park include well preserved pueblos and intricate petroglyphs etched into canyon walls or along walking paths.

Several trails, a campground for both RVs and tent camping, and covered picnic tables provide plenty of opportunity to enjoy nature and view wildlife. There are several programs offered here including a popular “Star Party” that occurs monthly April through November. Come observe the same skies the Hopi people observed! Print out this fun activity page for kids! 

9. Honanki Heritage Site – Sister Site of Palatki Heritage Site

• Location: 11450 N Loy Butte Rd, Sedona, Ariz.
• Cost: Red Rock Pass (or other) is required. 
• Visitors Center: A small visitor center is located near Palatki Heritage Center
• Accessibility: Must be able to navigate stairs and sandy trails
• Tip: Forest Rd 525 is unpaved and could be a bumpy ride for a car. 4×4 and high clearance vehicles are recommended.

One of the largest cliff dwellings in the Coconino National Forest is the Honanki Heritage Site located about 15 miles west of Sedona, Arizona. Sinagua people lived here from about 1100 to 1300 CE. 

Get out on the trails and explore the beauty of this area. Visitors can explore independently, but those wishing to have a guide should make reservations.  Use this link to explore the Secret 7 Ancient Trails – it works very well on a phone.

Interested in an open air jeep tour to explore Honanki and Sinaqua sites? Click here to book one! 

10. Hubbell Trading Post 

• Location: GPS is unreliable on the Navajo Nation. Use this link for directions.
• Cost: Free
• Visitors Center: 8-5pm 
• Accessibility:  Grounds are accessible to wheelchairs/strollers, but some paths are dirt. A wheelchair ramp is available upon request to enter the Hubbell Home.

A visit to the oldest continuously operating trading post in the American Southwest is sure to delight the young and the young at heart. Established in the late 19th century by John Lorenzo Hubbell, this historic trading post served as a vital hub where Navajo artisans traded their crafts for goods.

At the visitors center you can see interpretive exhibits or try your hand at weaving on the loom.  Next, delight the kids with a visit to the historic farm where they can view historic farm equipment, horses, chickens and Navajo Churro sheep. Print out this word search of words associated with Churro Sheep for the kids. Shop at the store for a traditional treat, purchase a craft item from an artisan or a hand-woven rug from a skilled Navajo weaver.

11. Kartchner Caverns

• Location: 2980 AZ-90, Benson, AZ 85602
• Cost: Park entrance fee: $7 per vehicle Cave Tours: $23 adults
• Visitors Center: 8-5pm Daily
• Accessibility: Two tours, the Rotunda/Throne tour and the Big Room tour, are both wheelchair accessible. 

Kartchner Caverns is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in native American culture. Beyond its stunning geological formations, these caverns hold cultural significance as the territory of the Hohokam people, who revered the site for its natural beauty and spiritual importance.

Exploring these underground wonders offers a unique glimpse into both natural history and the beliefs of Arizona’s indigenous peoples, making it a captivating journey for everyone. Reservations for cave tours are strongly recommended. The park has camping for both tents and RVs as well as cabins for rent.

 

12. Keet Seel (Navajo National Monument)

• Location: 2 hours north of Flagstaff – AZ-564, Shonto, AZ 86054
• Cost: Free
• Visitors Center: 9-5pm
• Accessibility:  This is a strenuous 18 mile hike that has significant changes in elevation, rivers that need traversing and possible quicksand. A permit is required. 

Keet Seel is the largest Ancestral Puebloan structure in northern Arizona and is protected by the Navajo Nation in Northeastern Arizona. It has some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings, but you have to work hard and plan ahead to get to see it. The only way to see the site is on a guided tour with park rangers.

Sitting back below the cliff face, the Navajo began building this 150 room structure around 1250 AD to keep it protected from the elements.  Massive in size, these ruins were large enough to hold about 100 people. You can really visualize how the people lived here. Pottery sherds, corn cobs  and bits of sandals remain on the ground, and wooden beams with rope for hanging pots are all still intact. These well preserved Indian ruins are worth the effort!

13. Kinishba Ruins

• Location: White Mountain Apache Reservation Whiteriver, AZ 85941  Ph: (928) 338-4625
• Cost: $5 for adults, $3 seniors and children
• Visitors Center: 8-5pm
• Accessibility: Trails are rocky and uneven and will pose a problem for those with strollers and wheelchairs.

Kinishba Ruins comprises approximately 600 rooms spread across multiple structures. These include living quarters, storage areas, Kivas and ceremonial spaces. This impressive site was abandoned around 1350 AD. Visitors wishing to visit Kinishba Pueblo must check in at the Nohwike’ Bágowa (House of Our Footprints) Museum at 127 Scout Road in Fort Apache, Arizona.

14. Mesa Grande Cultural Park – 2 miles from the Arizona Museum of Natural History

• Location of the Cultural Park: 1000 N Date St Mesa, Arizona 85201
• Cultural Park Cost: $6
• Cultural Park Hours: seasonally – October through May
• Cultural Park’s Accessibility: The path is rough in areas around the platform and may be tough for wheelchairs but  it is possible. The path that runs on the top of the platform is not suitable for wheelchairs.

• Location of Arizona Museum of Natural History: 53 N Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201
• Museum Cost: $16 adults $9 children (3-12)
• Museum Hours: 10am-5pm Tuesday- Saturday, Sunday 12-5pm, Closed Monday
• Museum’s Accessibility: The entrance and every floor of the museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Visiting both the Museum and the Cultural Center will fill your day with a better understanding of the ancient people that once lived in the Salt River Valley. Enjoy guided tours to enhance your visit and partake in traditional crafts.

The interpretive trail, organized by the Southwest Archaeology Team (SWAT) features nine stations corresponding to significant places on the mound helping visitors grasp many aspects of the natives who once lived here. 

15. Mindeleff Cavates Lodge Group

• Location: Park at Beasley Flat RAP 6227-6217 Beasley Flat Rd, Camp Verde, AZ 86322 
• Cost: Free
• Visitors Center: None
• Accessibility:  relatively inaccessible, including a river crossing and poorly marked paths.

Look straight across the valley after parking your car and you can see the cavates in the distance. But what are cavates? “Cavates” are man-made caves or cliff dwellings that were constructed by Native American cultures, particularly in the Southwestern United States.

Typically hollowed out of soft sandstone or volcanic tuff cliffs, these cavates were used as living spaces, storage areas, or ceremonial chambers. Visitors can explore 89 cavates and a total of 343 intricate sandstone rooms that once housed approximately 250 people. 

16. Montezuma’s Castle National Monument

• Location: 2800 Montezuma Castle Road Camp Verde 86322
• Cost: $10 per person or America is Beautiful Park Pass
• Visitors Center: Open year round- 8am- 4:45pm (Closed on Holidays)
• Accessibility: Easy paved paths lead to the first ruins that are accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.

Stop in at the visitors center to get acquainted with Montezuma Castle National Monument and Montezuma Well: two parts of the same monument, but separated by about 11 miles. Both places have a short, 1/3 mile trail to see the archeological remains, as well as a picnic area. A small museum also has a gift shop, and an interpretive trail to help visitors grasp both the flora/fauna of the area and the history of the ancestral puebloans that once lived here.

Montezuma Castle is among the best preserved ruins in the entire country and originally built by the Sinagua people, a pre-Columbian culture closely related to the Hohokam, between approximately AD 1100 and 1425. If you’re traveling between Flagstaff and Phoenix, this is a perfect rest stop and a beautiful one at that!

Small group tours also operate in the area. Or board a sightseeing train on a historic Arizona railroad on a longer tour of the area that also includes a tour of the castle and Tuzigoot National Monument. 

17. Oraibi 

• Location: In Navajo County off State Route 264, about two hours northeast of Flagstaff
• Cost: Free- unless a tour is scheduled
• Visitors Center: None
• Accessibility:  Visitors should stay on the roads and paths and not go past the end of the village.

Interested in seeing the oldest continuously inhabited community in Arizona? This village, sometimes called Old Oraibi, consists of the original pueblo style buildings that have been in existence since 1000 AD along with some newer block style homes.

The residents of Oraibi welcome visitors, but ask that you respect their wishes of no photography within the village. Support their livelihood by visiting their craft stands and trying a sample of their traditional piki bread!

Schedule a tour with a local for a more in-depth experience.

18. Palatki Heritage Site – Sister Site to the Honanki Heritage Site

•  Location: Coconino National Forest Recreation (Call ahead to determine what route is best as GPS is not reliable.)
• Cost: $5 parking pass 
• Visitor Center: Tickets are released 120 days in advance on a rolling daily release. The center closes when temperatures are over 100 degrees or the road becomes too muddy.
• Accessibility:  A 1.5 mile round trip hike that would be easy, even for younger kids, as long as they are used to long walks and navigating some uneven steps.  

Consisting of several Sinaqua cliff dwellings, as well as some extensive pictograph panels, the Palatki Heritage Site is sure to be an educational adventure for the whole family.  Located in the Coconino National Forest near Sedona, Arizona this site is sure to delight the whole family. Be mindful, as the road leading to the Visitor Center can get muddy and since you’ll need to stop at the visitors center to meet your guide, it’s best to call ahead to check conditions.

To see the cliff dwellings and numerous pictographs all in one hike makes for a great day and the most complete educational experience. Reservations (928) 282-3854) are required as only 12 people at a time may explore the ruins. 

19. Petrified Forest National Park 

• Location: 1 Park Rd, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, United States
• Cost: $15-$25 or America is Beautiful Park Pass
• Visitor Center: Open year round- 8am-5pm
• Accessibility:  The park/visitor center are accessible, but some of the trails are not stroller/wheelchair friendly.

Although Petrified Forest National park is best known for its Triassic Fossils, there is a history of the natives of North America living and hunting here. Stone tools and weapons made of petrified wood are commonly found here, and whole structures such as Adobe House, a pueblo made entirely from petrified wood blocks.

Amazingly, the Basketmaker people (500 BC to 650 AD) built villages consisting of slab-lined pit houses with Sivu’ovi being the largest known Basketmaker village in the park. During the Pueblo Period (650 AD- 1540 AD), native people began to build more substantial above-ground structures, moving out of their pit houses and into the clusters of stone structures called pueblos.

Click here to get a digital version of this park’s Junior Ranger Booklet.

20. S’edav Va’aki Museum (Formally called Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park)

• Location: ​​4619 E. Washington St. Phoenix, Arizona 85034
• Cost: $3-$6
• Visitors Center: 9-4:45pm (Closed Sunday-Monday- May -September) 
• Accessibility:  Fully accessible

Located on a 1,500 year-old archaeological site once inhabited by the Ancestral Sonoran Desert People (Hohokam), this museum includes 3 indoor galleries, a theater, partially excavated platform mound, ballcourt and replicated prehistoric houses.

A fully accessible 2/3 mile trail takes you through the entire museum for an in depth look at native culture. Because of the extreme summer heat, the museum provides water bottles and umbrellas to protect visitors from the Arizona heat. Staff at the various stations really make the past come alive! 

21. Tonto National Monument

• Location: 26260 N AZ Hwy 188 Lot 2 Roosevelt, AZ 85545
• Cost: $10 or America is Beautiful Pass
• Visitors Center:  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Accessibility: The visitors center is accessible for people with mobility challenges.

The Tonto National Monument, located in central Arizona, preserves two well-preserved cliff dwellings built by the Salado people around 700 years ago. These ancient structures provide a glimpse into the lives of the pre-Columbian inhabitants of the region. Visitors can explore the Lower Cliff Dwelling via a paved 0.5-mile trail, which includes a steep incline and a few steps.

The Upper Cliff Dwelling, reachable via a steep 3 mile round trip trail, offers a more challenging but rewarding experience for those able to navigate uneven terrain. Tours are offered to the Upper Cliff Dwelling November through April, every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday but reservations are strongly recommended as space is limited.

22. Tuzigoot National Monument

• Location: 25 Tuzigoot Rd, Clarkdale, AZ 86324
• Cost: $10pp or America is Beautiful Pass 
• Visitors Center: 8-4:45pm
• Accessibility:  The visitor center and the Tavasci Marsh Overlook trail are fully accessible, but accessing the top room of the Tuzigoot Pueblo Tower requires the use of stairs.

Allocate about twenty to thirty minutes to visit the Tuzigoot museum which was created with input from the descendants of the original inhabitants of this area. Here you will see original ceramics, textiles, and tools unearthed from the excavation of Tuzigoot pueblo. Rangers are available to answer questions and there is a gift shop for souvenirs.

Other sites that are worth visiting while in the area include Honanki, Palatki, Montezuma Castle, Montezuma Well and the V Bar V Petroglyph site.

Get a digital copy of the park’s Junior Ranger Booklet for the kids!

23. V-Bar-V Heritage Site (now called Crane Petroglyph Heritage Site ) 

• Location: 8375 State Route 179 in Sedona, Arizona
• Cost: $5
• Visitors Center: 9:30-2/3pm depending on the season
• Accessibility:  Smooth dirt path, but there is an elevation change. Strollers will be easier to push than wheelchairs.

Researchers believe this ancient petroglyph site contains a solar calendar that reveals a planting schedule. During the summer solstice, a shadow from the edge of one rock points to a petroglyph for crop planting. This site is the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley as well as one of the best preserved. There are over 1,000 petroglyphs carved on a set of 4 stone panels.

While in the area, it would be easy to also visit Montezuma Castle, Tuzigoot National Monuments. The town of Sedona where the Honanki Ruins and the Palatki Ruins are also close by. 

24. Walnut Canyon National Monument

• Location: 3 Walnut Canyon Road Flagstaff, AZ 86004
• Cost: $15-$25 or the America the Beautiful Pass
• Visitors Center: Trails and pueblos are open year-round, from sunrise to sunset.
• Accessibility:  The visitors center and part of the rim trail are accessible by stroller/wheelchair. Although paved, the Island Trail is not accessible due to the many steps. 

The Walnut Canyon Visitor Center includes a small museum, film, park store, gift shop and canyon viewpoint. Stroll along the paved rim interpretive trail and peer down into the canyon floor at over 300 cliff dwellings and pit houses that were once inhabited by the Sinagua people.

Canyon walls are lined with beautiful wild plants which adds to the enjoyment of the hike and the already relaxing environment. If you’re feeling up to it, take the Island Trail, which descends 240 steps down toward the valley floor allowing a closer look at the amazing archaeological sites.

25. Wupatki National Monument

• Location: 25137 N. Sunset Crater-Wupatki Loop Rd. Flagstaff, AZ 86004
• Cost: $15-$25 or the America the Beautiful Pass
• Visitors Center: Trails and pueblos are open year-round, from sunrise to sunset.
• Accessibility:  The visitors center and all but one trail is fully accessible. Paved paths lead to many pueblos on display here.

Arizona’s Flagstaff area is of great importance to as many as 13 different native peoples of North America. Don’t leave Wupatki National Monument without walking the short distance to experience the largest free standing pueblo in northern Arizona – the Wupatki Pueblo.  Construction of this pueblo began in the early 1100AD after the eruption of the Sunset Crater Volcano, and was believed to be home to upwards of 2000 people. 

View the whole pueblo from an overlook behind the visitor center or walk the half-mile trail to see the structure up close. Other easy walks will lead you to Wukoki Pueblo, Citadel and Nalakihu Pueblos, the Lomaki and Box Canyon Pueblos. You can also sign up at the visitors center to do longer back country hikes to view more distant ancient ruins and interesting petroglyphs. 

In Summary…

 In summary, visiting Indian Caves in Arizona allows us to connect with those who once called these places home. As we ponder their lives, we can’t help but feel a sense of admiration and respect. In these moments of reflection, we discover a common thread that binds us to the past and propels us towards new adventures and discoveries.

Unfortunately, I can’t create a complete list of all Indian caves in Arizona because many haven’t been fully documented/excavated, some are located on tribal/private land and others may be considered sacred sites and their locations are kept confidential.  A unique way to see the native ruins is from the air in a hot air balloon.

Planning…

You can find the locations for these Indian Caves in Arizona listed above (and more!) on this Google Map for easy trip planning. Click on each pin on the map to find some additional information. I’ve also included a few places to camp with both a tent and RVs.

Make your journey even more epic by timing your trip with one of Arizona’s Epic Hot Air Balloon Festivals.

Be mindful that hiking can be dangerous. Take responsibility for your safety by researching the area thoroughly and planning your trip accordingly. Prepare by bringing clear maps, appropriate clothing, plenty of water, sun protection, a first aid kit, and important phone numbers in case you need help. Avoid hiking alone, and make sure to leave a detailed itinerary with expected return times with a family member or friend.