Honanki Heritage Site, Coconino County Travel Guide

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Discover ancient Sinagua cliff dwellings and rock art at Honanki Heritage Site near Sedona, a journey into Arizona's rich past.

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Honanki Heritage Site

Explore the Honanki Heritage Site, a well-preserved cliff dwelling of the Sinagua people, inhabited from approximately 1100 to 1300 AD. Located near Sedona, Arizona, the site offers a glimpse into the lives of these ancient inhabitants through its architecture and rock art.

A brief summary to Honanki Heritage Site

11450 N Loy Butte Rd, Sedona, Arizona, 86336, US
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Monday 9:30 am-3 pm
Tuesday 9:30 am-3 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am-3 pm
Thursday 9:30 am-3 pm
Friday 9:30 am-3 pm
Saturday 9:30 am-3 pm
Sunday 9:30 am-3 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Honanki Heritage Site.

The road to Honanki is rough; a high-clearance vehicle or a Jeep tour is recommended.
Bring water, as there is no drinking water available at the site.
Purchase a Red Rock Pass online or at a local shop in Sedona before arriving, as cell service is limited.
Visit during the cooler months or in the morning to avoid extreme heat.

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Explore Honanki Heritage Site on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Honanki Heritage Site, mapped for you.

Getting There

Driving

From Sedona, take Hwy 89A west for approximately 9.6 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 525/Loy Butte Road, located just past mile marker 365. Follow Forest Road 525 for about 10 miles to the Honanki Heritage Site. Note that the road is unpaved and rough, requiring a high-clearance vehicle. A Red Rock Pass is required for parking; a day pass costs $5.
Pink Jeep Tour

Alternatively, consider a Pink Jeep Tour from Sedona, which provides transportation to the site and a guided tour. Tours typically cost around $100 per person, including the Red Rock Pass.

Discover more about Honanki Heritage Site

Honanki Heritage Site, meaning "Bear House" in Hopi, is a captivating window into the past, showcasing the cliff dwellings and rock art of the Sinagua people who resided here between approximately 1100 and 1300 AD. Located about 15 miles west of Sedona, within the Coconino National Forest, the site is one of the largest and most well-preserved of its kind in the Verde Valley.The Sinagua, ancestors of the Hopi, built these dwellings into the canyon walls, creating a hidden village. Archaeologists estimate that the site contained around 72 rooms and housed approximately 200 people. Here, they lived, farmed, and created tools, leaving behind a legacy of rock art, including pictographs and petroglyphs, some dating back as far as 2000 BCE. Later, the Yavapai and Apache people also inhabited the site, adding their own contributions to the rock art.Visitors can explore the site via a 0.6-mile self-guided loop trail, with interpretive signs explaining the history and construction of the pueblos and the lifestyle of the Sinagua people. The trail leads to the base of the cliff dwellings, offering a close-up view of the ancient architecture and intricate rock art. Note that the site can close due to weather conditions, particularly high temperatures exceeding 100°F or impassable roads.