Monday, March 25, 2024

Homolovi State Park

 The Homolovi archaeological sites in the park preserve four ancestral Hopi pueblos. Two are open to the public via short trails. The area was fairly consistently inhabited between AD 620 - 1400; the park focuses on the later period. The largest pueblo, Homolovi II, had between 1,200 - 2000 rooms and features a paved trail that climbs to the top of a hill overlooking the river valley. Several buildings have been excavated and preserved but sadly artifact collectors have torn up the site and destroyed many of the structures. The ground is littered with pieces of broken pottery and, while it may be tempting to take just one piece, disturbing anything is illegal. 

The park has a small visitor center, an observatory, five short trails, and a campground. 

The visitor center is accessible. The trail to Homolovi II is accessible but very steep so most wheelchair users will need assistance. The trail to Homolovi I is an old dirt road. Since it had recently rained we did not attempt the road. The other trails are not accessible due to the rough, hilly terrain. We did not check out the campground or the observatory. 

The parking lots at the pueblo sites and visitor center have several long RV/bus spaces and a number of long spaces where vans will fit. Park   35.045, -110.65336


 

1 comment:

  1. It's very easy to miss. We'd never noticed it in all the times we passed this way. Worth a stop!

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