Round Trip Distance: 0.4 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 3697 - 3727 feet
Cellphone: 0-3 bars
Time: 45 mins.
Trailhead: Rattlesnake House
Fee: none
Attractions: ruins, petroglyphs
The Rattlesnake House Group is located in the Agua Fria National Monument near Black Canyon City, Arizona. This post covers the main Rattlesnake House Pueblo and a second pueblo that is within a few hundred feet. We have the coordinates for a third pueblo that is about a mile away, across the canyon from Pueblo Pato, that we didn't visit and have some doubts as to its existence. Petroglyphs and grinding slicks can be found on the rocks around the pueblos.
To get there take I-17 Exit 259 and follow the Bloody Basin Road for 11.3 miles and turn right onto 9014/FR 14. Continue for 2.75 miles and turn right onto FR 611 which becomes 9611 once you cross the boundary between the Tonto National Forest and Agua Fria National Monument. This road is slow and tedious in places as you bounce over the lava rocks embedded within its surface. A high clearance 4WD or other suitable OHV type of vehicle is required.
Follow FR 611/9611 for 4.7 miles to where Rattlesnake House will be on the right. There are several brown mylar markers with signs reminding visitors that archeological sites are an American treasure and protected by Federal Law. It is illegal to do any of your own excavating or anything else that might damage the site.
The main pueblo looks to have about 60-70 rooms with some intact walls showing amongst the piles of rubble.
There are some very large fragments of pottery at the site. Be sure to leave them for others to enjoy.
As though to give credence to the sites name we spotted a Western Diamondback rattlesnake gliding silently along into the grass. Once it entered the grass it was camouflaged so well that it was practically invisible. This one looked to be between 4 -5 feet in length. For a snake of 5 feet in length I would keep at least 8 - 10 feet away if it were coiled and ready to strike. Seeing them out in the open isn't really a problem. It's when they are in the grass or among the rocks where you suddenly find yourself too close. Knee high rattlesnake gators can be purchase starting around $20.
The second pueblo can be found a few hundred feet away closer to the canyon.
This pueblo is a little smaller, maybe 20 - 30 rooms, but is in about the same state as the main pueblo.
Many of the boulders to the north and east of the second pueblo have petroglyphs on them.
A lot of the images are pretty worn but there is enough remaining to make them interesting.
This one looks a little like a medicine wheel.
We'll mention that if you think of coming over from 9025, after already being at Pueblo Pato or Baby Canyon, that that road is drivable and actually better than driving all the way around, but as you get almost to the end of the road at the Perry Windmill there are some pretty rough high clearance rocks that you have to drive over. It is one of those places where we had to get out and study the situation before proceeding.
The pottery, petroglyphs, grinding slicks, and of course the rattlesnake, taken together made the Rattlesnake House Group an interesting visit as well as contemplating its location in comparison to all the other sites in the area. If you would like to see some for yourself all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.
