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18 February 2022
A true understanding of Arizona begins with understanding its rich ancient history. Explore the archeological legacy left behind by different cultures as you discover prehistoric dwellings, the weathered remains of entire villages, artwork etched into rocks, relics, and artifacts. These were all left behind by the first people that populated the land.
Newspaper Rock gets its name from ancient headlines etched into the rock. It lies in the Petrified Forest National Park, hidden among the colorful badlands. There are more than 650 petroglyphs, some of which date back 2,000 years. This area is unique due to its high concentration of rock art. If you want more information about Petrified Forest National Park, check out this article.
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Several well-preserved ancient dwellings are located in north-central Arizona, including the Wupatki, Tonto, Walnut Canyon, and Tuzigoot national monuments. One of the most spectacular is this imposing 20 room, five-story structure built into a gorge in a white limestone cliff about 70 feet above the ground. When early explorers discovered the ruins, they thought the structure belonged to the Aztecs. Hence the name. But in fact, they belonged to the Sinagua Indian people. Pedestrians can explore the cliff house built by the Sinagua people more than 800 years ago by wandering along a paved trail shaded by sycamore trees. Check out this article if you want more information about Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well.
Rock walls adorn Cottonwood’s Verde River hilltop and run down its ridgeline. A 110-room pueblo called Tuzigoot was built by the Sinagua around 1000 A.D. The tribe was mainly agricultural, and its trade routes spanned hundreds of miles. Ancient peoples are believed to have left the area around 1400. Take a stroll along the loop trail to enjoy the lush Verde Valley framed by mountains. The National Park Service has restored several buildings at Tuzigoot (Apache for “crooked water”) in order to showcase the building materials and techniques used by these resourceful people.
The 25 cliff dwelling rooms in Walnut Canyon were built by the Sinagua, a pre-Columbian culture from about 1100 to 1250 AD. Using the natural contours of the canyon, the Sinagua built rock shelters in shallow alcoves below the rim. Many of these dwellings are well preserved, and some can be entered. Residents lived by farming soil pockets along the canyon’s rim. Although it is unclear why the Sinagua left their homes, it is believed they became assimilated into the Hopi culture.
A community thriving between the Painted Desert and the ponderosa mountains of northern Arizona seems unlikely. However, when temperatures were cooler and seasons were wetter in the early 1100s, the ancestors of today’s Pueblo communities created a bustling center of trade and culture. Hopi people believe that these sites represent the footprints of their ancestors. Wupatki Pueblo is the largest structure in the park, with three floors and nearly 100 rooms.
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Two distinctive Salado cliff dwellings overlook Roosevelt Lake at Tonto National Monument. These ancient structures were built inside natural caves within the Superstition Mountains 700 years ago. Artistic flair characterized the Salado culture as they produced exquisite pottery and intricate textiles. The visitor center displays artifacts from the site. You can visit the Lower Cliff Dwelling at any time. However, only guided tours are available from November through April for the larger Upper Cliff Dwelling.
Ancestral Puebloan dwellings dating back centuries are protected within Navajo National Monument located in a cavernous alcove in the canyon wall. Reservations are required to make the 17-mile round-trip hike to Keet Seel, the largest cliff dwelling in Arizona. Keet Seel is the most intact large site in the Southwest, as it still looks much as inhabitants left it 700 years ago, thanks to a massive rock overhang. Anthropologists can glimpse the distant past through granaries, pottery, petroglyphs, timbers, and corncobs.
The Painted Rock Petroglyph Site and Campground are operated by the Bureau of Land Management and are situated in a lonely stretch of desert northwest of Gila Bend. A cluster of basalt boulders stacked atop a granite outcropping contains around 800 petroglyphs. It is thought that the art is related to the Hohokam culture that inhabited the area between 350 and 1400 AD. Look for figures such as humans, animals, sun symbols, spirals, mazes, and concentric circles.
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A towering wall of dust can roll across central Arizona on a monsoon evening, swallowing skylines, grounding flights, and cutting visibility to near zero across parts of the Phoenix metro. Spectacular? Absolutely. Routine? In the Southwest, yes. These dramatic dust storms—called haboobs—are a hallmark of Arizona’s summer monsoon. Here is what they are, how they form, and how to stay safe when one arrives. advertisement What Is a Haboob? A haboob is a fast-moving dust storm generated by thunderstorm outflow winds. As a storm cell collapses or surges forward, dense, cool air rushes toward the ground and spreads outward like
Coyotes are as much a part of Arizona’s landscape as saguaros and sunsets. Known for their adaptability and eerie night calls, these wild canines have become one of the state’s most fascinating and misunderstood residents. Whether spotted trotting across desert trails or heard howling in suburban neighborhoods, coyotes embody the untamed spirit of the Southwest. advertisement Masters of Adaptation Arizona’s diverse terrain — from the Sonoran Desert to pine-covered plateaus — offers coyotes a variety of habitats. Few animals are as flexible in their survival strategies. Coyotes thrive in deserts, forests, grasslands, and even urban environments like Phoenix and Tucson.
Arizona might be known for its sun-soaked deserts and dramatic red rock formations, but the Grand Canyon State also offers incredible water adventures for locals and visitors alike. From lazy tubing down rivers to kayaking through canyons, there’s no shortage of aquatic fun to cool off under the Arizona sun. advertisement 1. Tubing the Salt River No Arizona summer is complete without a float down the Salt River in Mesa. This laid-back, family-friendly activity lets you relax as you drift through stunning desert scenery while spotting wild horses along the banks. Bring sunscreen, water shoes, and a waterproof speaker for
The Salt River wild horses are one of Arizona’s most beloved symbols of freedom, beauty, and resilience. These majestic animals roam the lower Salt River in the Tonto National Forest, an area synonymous with the wild, untamed spirit of the American West. But once again, their very existence is under threat. advertisement A Fight for Survival In 2015, when the Salt River wild horses faced possible removal, Arizonans came together in a historic show of unity. The outpouring of public support led to the passage of the Salt River Horse Act in 2016, protecting the herd from unnecessary removal and
