Background

Puerco Pueblo: Echoes of Ancestral Puebloan Life

Discover the ancient ruins and rock art of Puerco Pueblo, an ancestral Puebloan village within Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona.

4.7

Explore the ruins of Puerco Pueblo, an ancestral Puebloan village within Petrified Forest National Park, inhabited from around 1250 to the late 1300s. Walk the 0.3-mile paved loop trail to discover the remains of over 100 rooms, a central plaza, and fascinating petroglyphs etched into the surrounding rocks.

A brief summary to Puerco Pueblo

Local tips

  • Bring water and wear sun protection, as the area offers little shade and temperatures can be extreme.
  • Take your time exploring the petroglyphs; some are easily visible, while others require a closer look.
  • Visit the Puerco Pueblo during the summer solstice to witness the sunlight interacting with the solar marker petroglyph.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Driving

    Puerco Pueblo is located within Petrified Forest National Park, approximately 11 miles south of the park's north entrance. From Interstate 40, take Exit 311 and follow the park road south. The Puerco Pueblo parking lot is on the left, about 11 miles from the north entrance. Park entrance fee is $25 per vehicle, valid for 7 days. Credit or debit cards are the only accepted form of payment.

Unlock the Best of Puerco Pueblo

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Puerco Pueblo

Puerco Pueblo, meaning 'Village on the Rio Puerco,' offers a glimpse into the lives of the ancestral Puebloan people who once thrived in this region. Inhabited primarily from 1250 to the late 1300s, this village was strategically located near the Puerco River, a vital water source for agriculture and a natural corridor for trade and the exchange of ideas. At its peak, Puerco Pueblo consisted of over 100 rooms built from hand-shaped sandstone blocks, arranged around a central plaza. This plaza served as the heart of the community, where cooking, craft making, and social activities took place. Several underground kivas were also present, used for ceremonial practices. The village's exterior walls were windowless and doorless, with access via ladders over the walls. Today, visitors can explore the partially excavated ruins on a 0.3-mile paved loop trail. Along the way, discover ancient petroglyphs etched into the rocks, offering insights into the beliefs and daily lives of the Puebloan people. One notable petroglyph is a solar marker that interacts with sunlight during the summer solstice. The trail also features a mini-museum in the historic check station. Unable to adapt to climate change, the inhabitants abandoned Puerco Pueblo by 1380. Despite being deserted for centuries, the site remains culturally significant to the Hopi and Zuni people.

Popular Experiences near Puerco Pueblo

Popular Hotels near Puerco Pueblo

Select Currency