Defiance House Travel Guide

Defiance House, located in Forgotten Canyon within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, is one of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan dwellings in the region. Occupied from approximately 1250 to 1285 AD, the site provides a unique window into the lives of the people who once thrived in this challenging environment.Archaeologists discovered Defiance House in 1959 while surveying the area before the filling of Lake Powell. The University of Utah team was astonished to find the site so well-preserved, with many roofs still intact and even remnants of food in ancient bowls. The dwelling gets its name from a striking pictograph of three warriors brandishing clubs and shields, a testament to the resilience and perhaps the defensiveness of its inhabitants. It is believed that the structures were occupied by one or two extended families of 15 to 20 people.Built in a natural alcove, Defiance House was shielded from the elements, contributing to its remarkable preservation. The location offered protection from winter storms and provided shade during the hot summer months. Because Defiance House is located above the full pool level of Lake Powell, it wasn't destroyed when the lake filled. Today, visitors can explore the ruins, imagining life in this remote dwelling centuries ago. Please help preserve Defiance House and any other cultural sites you visit by being respectful, leaving what you find, and practicing Leave No Trace.