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Palatki Heritage Site: Ancient Cliff Dwellings and Rock Art

Discover ancient cliff dwellings and rock art at Palatki Heritage Site, offering a glimpse into the lives of early inhabitants of Arizona's Red Rock Country.

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Explore the Palatki Heritage Site near Sedona, Arizona, to discover well-preserved Sinagua cliff dwellings and an impressive collection of rock art dating back thousands of years. The site offers a glimpse into the lives of ancient cultures who inhabited the Red Rock Country between 1150 and 1350 CE.

A brief summary to Palatki Heritage Site

Local tips

  • Reservations are required to visit Palatki Heritage Site and can be made through Recreation.gov.
  • A Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Interagency Pass is required for parking.
  • The roads leading to Palatki are rough gravel roads, so drive slowly and carefully.
  • Bring water, as potable water is not available on-site.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain and climbing steps.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Sedona, head west on State Route 89A. Continue for 5 miles past the last traffic light. Turn right onto Forest Road 525 (FR 525). Proceed north for 5 miles, then bear left onto Forest Road 795 (FR 795). Continue for 2 miles to reach the Palatki Heritage Site parking lot. Note that FR 525 and FR 795 are rough gravel roads suitable for passenger cars when dry, but require careful driving. Alternatively, from Cottonwood, take 89A north for about 7 miles. Turn left onto Forest Road 525 (FR 525) for about 7 miles. Continue straight on Forest Rd 525 for about 2 miles and the road will terminate in the Palatki parking lot. Parking: A Red Rock Pass is required to park at the Palatki Heritage Site. A daily pass costs $5, a weekly pass is $15, and an annual pass is $20. Passes can be purchased at the site via a kiosk in the parking lot or in advance online.

  • Public Transport

    While there is no direct public transportation to Palatki Heritage Site, visitors can utilize the Verde Shuttle and Sedona Shuttle to reach trailheads and connecting points within Sedona. From various points in Sedona, use the Verde Shuttle to reach a Sedona Shuttle Park & Ride location. The Verde Shuttle costs $1 per ride. From the Park & Ride, transfer to the free Sedona Shuttle Trailhead Route. From the Trailhead, you will need to arrange for a taxi, rideshare, or private transportation to Palatki Heritage Site, as the Sedona Shuttle does not go directly to the site. Expect to pay around $20-$40 for a rideshare or taxi from a central Sedona location to Palatki. Confirm availability of rideshares in advance as they are not always readily available.

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Discover more about Palatki Heritage Site

Palatki Heritage Site, meaning 'Red House' in the Hopi language, is an archaeological treasure located in the Coconino National Forest, near Sedona, Arizona. This protected site showcases ancient cliff dwellings and a remarkable collection of rock art, including pictographs and petroglyphs, telling stories of multiple cultures who used these sheltered spaces across millennia. The Sinagua people, who lived in the Verde Valley area from approximately 600 to 1400 AD, constructed the cliff dwellings between 1100 and 1400 CE. These dwellings, built under south-facing overhangs for shelter and winter sun, consisted of two separate pueblos, suggesting different family or kin groups. Archaeologists believe Palatki and Honanki were the largest cliff dwellings in the Red Rock area from 1150 to 1300 CE. Palatki is also home to a significant amount of rock art, with some pictographs and petroglyphs dating back 3,000 to 6,000 years. These images provide insights into the daily lives and spiritual beliefs of the ancient cultures that inhabited the region. The Hopi, Apache, Navajo, and Yavapai also left their marks on the stone. Visitors can explore the site through guided tours, which include a stop at the cliff dwellings and the rock art gallery. The experience involves navigating 60 uneven stone steps to reach the dwelling areas. A small visitor center and bookstore operated by the Arizona Natural History Association is located near the parking area.

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