Murray Springs Clovis Site, Huachuca Mountains Travel Guide

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Explore an ancient Clovis hunting camp in Arizona's San Pedro River Valley, where mammoths roamed 13,000 years ago. A journey into North America's prehistoric past.

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Murray Springs Clovis Site

Step back 13,000 years at Murray Springs Clovis Site, near Sierra Vista, Arizona, where nomadic hunters camped and hunted megafauna like mammoths. Explore the archaeological site with its interpretive trail, discovering traces of the Clovis culture, including stone tools and animal kill sites, within the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.

A brief summary to Murray Springs Clovis Site

N Moson Rd, Sierra Vista, Arizona, 85635, US
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Murray Springs Clovis Site.

Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat, as there is little shade on the trail.
Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and wear sturdy shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
Check with the Friends of the San Pedro River for guided tours and interpretive programs.
Stay on marked trails to protect the archaeological site and adhere to Leave No Trace principles.

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Getting There

Driving

From Sierra Vista, take Arizona Route 90 east for approximately 6 miles to Moson Road. Turn left onto Moson Road and continue for about 1.2 miles. Look for the signed turnoff to Murray Springs on your right. The access road leading to the trail is currently closed to vehicle traffic, so park at the trailhead and proceed on foot. Parking is available on site.
Public Transport & Walking

Take a bus from Sierra Vista to the nearest stop on East Fry Boulevard (AZ-90). From there, walk north on N Moson Rd for approximately 2 miles to the Murray Springs Clovis Site. Check local bus schedules for times and applicable fares. Be prepared for a walk of approximately 2 miles with no shade.

Discover more about Murray Springs Clovis Site

Murray Springs Clovis Site, nestled in the San Pedro River Valley near Sierra Vista, Arizona, offers a captivating glimpse into North America's prehistoric past. Around 13,000 years ago, this area served as a hunting camp for the Clovis people, a Paleo-American culture known for their distinctive fluted projectile points and megafauna hunting techniques.Archaeologists C. Vance Haynes and Peter Mehringer discovered the site in 1966, recognizing its significance while mapping the nearby Lehner Mammoth Kill Site. Excavations revealed a wealth of artifacts, including stone tools, hearths, and the remains of mammoths, bison, horses, camels, and other animals hunted by the Clovis people. The site's unique geological context, including an algal black mat that buried the Clovis-age surface, has helped preserve the distribution of artifacts, providing exceptional insights into the lives of these early hunters.Today, visitors can explore the Murray Springs Clovis Site via a self-guided interpretive trail. The trail leads past former dig sites and features informative signs detailing the discoveries made and the daily lives of the Clovis people. As you walk the trail, imagine the stark contrast between the present desert landscape and the Ice Age paradise that once thrived here, where mammoths roamed and humans hunted. The site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and is part of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area.