A Mysterious Woodland Trail In Arizona Will Take You To The Original Sinagua Ruins
Arizona has no shortage of ancient ruins to visit, but some don’t get nearly the amount of recognition they deserve. The Honanki Heritage Site, located in the Sedona area, features an ancient cliff dwelling once home to the 15th-century Sinagua people. All it takes to see the magnificent structure for yourself is an easy, 0.6-mile hike through a whimsical woodland forest – so, what are you waiting for?
Nestled in the densely wooded, high desert landscape of Sedona, the Honanki Heritage Site is home to some of the most remarkably well-preserved ancient ruins in Arizona.
An easy, 0.6-mile trail is all that stands between you and the ruins, and with an elevation gain of just over 350 feet, it's kid, wheelchair, and stroller-friendly.
The Honanki Heritage Site is one of just three National Heritage Sites in the Sedona area, all of which feature remnants of the ancient Hopi civilization.
Adding to the air of mystery, the thick undergrowth of the Coconino National Forest encroaches upon the path, with gnarled tree branches snaking along the ground as if to reach out and grab you by the ankle.
Although history is the main focus here, you can't help but marvel at the breathtaking scenery.
Much remains to tell their story, however, including a number of petroglyphs that are as clear as if they had been drawn just yesterday.
Please note: while the hiking trail that takes you to the Honanki Heritage Site is easy, the dirt road leading to it gets very rough in the last 2.5 miles. We recommend visiting in an SUV, Jeep, truck, or other high-clearance vehicle.
Have you ever hiked to the Sinagua cliff dwellings at the Honanki Heritage Site? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments section below, and check out our previous article for more Arizona hikes that lead to ancient ruins.
Address: Honanki Heritage Site, 11750 N Loy Butte Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336, USA
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Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.