7 Ancient Ruins in Arizona That You Need To Visit Before You Die

Ruins are once inhabited places that became abandoned and damaged. But when you always look at the brighter side, you’ll see the beauty of it from another perspective. If you’re very much interested in history, you might be wondering where you could go to. You should go to the ancient ruins in Arizona and see more than what meets the eye. Here are the 7 ancient ruins in Arizona that you need to visit before you die:

Navajo National Monument

This national park is home to 3 ruins called Keet Seel, Betatakin, and Inscription House. According to guests, the first two ruins are available to the public for free tours. But sadly, the Inscription House is closed. This national monument pays homage to the Ancestral Pueblo people.

Location: AZ-564, Shonto, Arizona 86054

Website: https://www.nps.gov/nava/index.htm

Walnut Canyon Ruins

The Walnut Canyon Ruins are cliff dwellings situated in the canyon walls. While the colors of the ruins may not be that striking, you can get amazing views of the Arizona landscapes from here by climbing the Walnut Canyon stairs.

Location: 3 Walnut Canyon Rd, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004

Website: https://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm

Kinishba Ruins

When you visit Kinishba Ruins, it’s going to be fruitful because you’ll get to see the museum and the actual ruins! While you will only get to see the remnants, get this, it was once a 600-room Mogollon house.

Location: Reservation, Whiteriver, Arizona, 85941

Tonto National Monument

Usually, you get to see caves that are around to below ground level. But have you ever seen a cave up high? Tonto Ruins is a cliff dwelling that used to be a place where Salado Indians lived.

Location: 26260 AZ-188, Roosevelt, Arizona  85545

Montezuma Castle National Monument

Source: Montezuma Castle National Monument | Flickr/RJ Thomas

We all thought that cliff-side castles only exist in movies. But you could see one in real life at the Montezuma Castle National Monument. For over 600 years, it has been home to the Sinagua Indians. Although it looks flat and inhabitable, this one may surprise you because it actually has 20 rooms and is proudly standing at five stories tall! Here are 5 surprising facts about the Montezuma Castle National Monument. 

Location: Montezuma Castle Rd, Camp Verde, Arizona

Wupatki National Monument

Do you know the meaning of Wupatki? In the Hopi language, it means “Tall House.” Well, the 35,422-acre Wupatki National Monument used to be the dwelling place of Native Americans where they learned how to farm and live despite of the scarce resources in the desert.

Location: 25137 N Wupatki Ln, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

The Casa Grande Ruins National Monument used to house Sonoran Desert people during the early centuries. The foundations made of dried mud brick are strong up to this day despite existing for a very long time.

Location: 1100 W Ruins Dr, Coolidge, Arizona 85128

Have you visited any of these ancient ruins in Arizona?