Located on the mesa, stark and white against the cloudless blue sky, the ruins of an ancient pueblo village. Among the crumbling stone buildings, petroglyphs of birds, lizards, deer, and human figures appear to dance on the rocks upon which they have been etched for 800 years. You can almost hear the music of long ago in the silence of the desert, unlike hustling in the city. Welcome to Agua Fria National Monument.
1. Badger Springs Canyon
Located 40 miles north of Pheonix in the high desert, Agua Fria National Monument offers a wealth of activities for outdoorsman, and especially history buffs. The most prominent geological feature is the Badger Springs Canyon, cut by the Agua Fria River. Visitors can enjoy an easy day hike along the river on the 2.3 mile Badger Springs Trail, which leads to Richinbar Mine.
2. Four-wheeling
Four-wheeling enthusiasts will discover the challenge of Bloody Basin Road, a 24 mile off-highway excursion into the remote areas east of the river. High clearance vehicles will traverse dirt roads, climbing and descending through beautiful, rarely seen wilderness.
3. Wildlife
The Agua Fria National Monument is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, antelope, javelina, lions, and blue quails. Hunters can enjoy the experience of big-game trophy hunts within the grounds, although you shouldn’t. Birdwatchers have plenty of opportunities to observe eagles and other raptors in their native habitat.
4. Pueblo sites
The highlight for visitors to this national monument are the pueblo sites, which were constructed around 1200 AD or later. Pueblo La Plata containing about 80 to 90 rooms, is the most easily accessible of the archeological sites. If Pueblo La Carta doesn’t sound interesting, there are also around ten pueblo villages and many petroglyphs throughout the Perry and Black Mesas.
If you are seeking the isolation of the desert wilderness without having to travel a long distance to find it, Agua Fria National Monument is waiting to be discovered.
Related articles: Camper’s Guide: California’s Yosemite’s Half Dome also Camper’s Guide: Tallulah Gorge, Georgia
Featured Image from Andrew Ruiz/Unsplash
