Evander Jones
Arizona’s rugged scenery is home to some of the world’s most fascinating ancient natural creations. These towering canyon and cliff walls hold centuries-old structures that tell the stories of civilizations that thrived in the desert. Here is a collection of ten.
Montezuma Castle
Perched high on a limestone cliff, Montezuma Castle is a five-story pueblo built by the Sinagua people over 700 years ago. This well-preserved site showcases their ingenuity, using the natural rock face to create a safe and sustainable home in the harsh desert.
Walnut Canyon
Walnut Canyon’s cliff dwellings are said to have once sheltered the Sinagua people. A scenic trail winds through the canyon, leading visitors to these ancient homes. It also offers breathtaking views of towering cliffs, lush plants, and the winding canyon below.
Canyon De Chelly
Canyon de Chelly’s towering sandstone walls, including the famous White House Ruins, hold ancient ruins. Today, it remains a living part of the Navajo Nation, where guided tours led by Navajo storytellers bring history and culture to life.
Tonto National Monument
Overlooking Roosevelt Lake, Tonto National Monument protects two ancient Salado cliff dwellings. These homes, snuggled within caves, reveal the lives of a culture that blended Puebloan, Hohokam, and Mogollon traditions while adapting to the desert’s challenges.
Keet Seel
Keet Seel, which sits within the Navajo National Monument, is one of the most intact cliff dwellings in the Southwest. Reaching it requires a challenging 17-mile hike, but those who make the journey are rewarded with a rare, up-close look at a well-preserved village frozen in time.
Betatakin
Sheltered by a massive alcove, Betatakin features over 80 rooms built into the cliffside. Accessible only by guided hike, this stunning site offers visitors a glimpse into the Ancestral Puebloan way of life, with breathtaking sandstone formations surrounding these ancient dwellings.
Honanki Ruins
Hidden among Sedona’s red rock cliffs, the Honanki Ruins were once a thriving Sinagua settlement. The dwellings, along with intricate petroglyphs covering the canyon walls, provide a unique connection to the past. These rock carvings silently tell the stories of the people who once lived here.
Palatki Ruins
Near Honanki, the Palatki Ruins feature well-preserved Sinagua dwellings secured beneath towering sandstone cliffs. Ancient petroglyphs and pictographs decorate the rock walls, offering insight into both the spiritual and everyday lives of the people who once called this place home.
Tuzigoot
Unlike traditional cliff dwellings, Tuzigoot is a sprawling hilltop pueblo built by the Sinagua people. Overlooking the Verde Valley, this multi-room structure provides panoramic desert views and a look at a culture that thrives through farming, trade, and adaptation to the arid terrain.
Sycamore Canyon
Deep within Sycamore Canyon’s rugged terrain, these lesser-known ruins remain a mystery to many explorers. The remnants of ancient cliff dwellings and petroglyphs hint at a once-thriving community to proffer adventurous hikers a secluded glimpse into Arizona’s past amid stunning rock formations and towering canyon walls.
