Honanki Heritage Site

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 4700 - 4739 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 45 mins.
Trailhead: Honanki parking lot
Fee: $5/vehicle for 1 day or Interagency Pass
Attractions: Cliff dwellings, rock art

The Honanki Heritage Site is located in the Coconino (ko-kuh-NEE-no) National Forest near Sedona, Arizona. The site is currently managed by the U.S. Forest Service under the Red Rocks Pass Program. The Sinagua, or Hisat'sinom as the Hopi refer to them, are the ancestors of the Hopi that built much of the cliff dwellings at Honanki. They lived here between 1100 CE and 1300 CE. The name Sinagua (sin-AH-wah) was given to the people by archaeologist Harold Colton, founder of the Museum of Northern Arizona. The name is derived from the Spanish words sin, meaning 'without', and agua, which means 'water'. It is the term the Spanish used for the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona.

Palatki Heritage Site

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 2.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 4726 - 4826 feet
Cellphone: 0 bars
Time: 1 hr. 30 mins.
Trailhead: Palatki Visitor Center
Fee: $5-1 day/vehicle or Interagency Pass
Attractions: Cliff dwellings, rock art

The Palatki Heritage Site is located in the Coconino (ko-kuh-NEE-no) National Forest near Sedona, Arizona. Palatki (pu-LAT-kee) means 'red house' in the Hopi language. The Palatki site consists of several Sinagua cliff dwellings as well as some extensive pictograph panels. Archaeologists believe that the cliff dwellings were built by the Sinagua beginning in 1125 CE and used until about 1300 CE.

NOTE: Only 10 people at a time are allowed to visit the site of the cliff dwellings. Groups depart every 20 minutes beginning at 9:40 am. Visitors should be sure to call the number (928) 282-3854 ahead of time to make a reservation. More information including seasonal closures is available on the Forest Service website. 

Tuzigoot Ruins

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 3373 - 3462 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 45 mins.
Trailhead: Tuzigoot National Monument Visitor Center
Fee: $10/vehicle
Attractions: Ancestral Puebloan ruins, museum, gift shop

The Tuzigoot Ruins are located in the Tuzigoot National Monument near Clarkdale and Cottonwood, Arizona. The extensive ruins at one time were the home site for a group of people referred to today as Sinagua. Sinagua (sin-ah-wha) comes from a Spanish phrase that mean 'without water'. The name Tuzigoot, though, comes from an Apache phrase that means 'crooked water'. The ruin consisted of about 110 rooms with an estimated population of around 250 people.

Tavasci Marsh Overlook

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 3365 - 3402 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: Tuzigoot National Monument Visitor Center
Fee: $10/vehicle
Attractions: Marsh overlook

The Tavasci Marsh Overlook trail is located in the Tuzigoot (TOO-zee-goot) National Monument between Cottonwood and  Clarkdale, Arizona. Tuzigoot National Monument protects an impressive set of ancient Sinagua ruins that sit atop a hill above the Verde River with a commanding view of the surrounding area. The marsh gets its name from the Tavasci family that ran a farm there from 1928 to 1991. Tavasci Marsh is listed as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society.