Background

Honanki Heritage Site: A Window to the Past

Discover ancient Sinagua cliff dwellings and rock art at Honanki Heritage Site near Sedona, Arizona. A journey into the past awaits!

4.7

Explore the Honanki Heritage Site, a captivating Sinagua cliff dwelling nestled in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona. Discover ancient ruins and well-preserved rock art, offering a glimpse into the lives of the people who called this place home between 1150 and 1350 AD.

A brief summary to Honanki Heritage Site

Local tips

  • The road to Honanki is rough; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
  • Purchase a Red Rock Pass online in advance, as cell service is limited at the site.
  • Bring your own water, as there is no drinking water available at Honanki.
  • Combine your visit with a trip to nearby Palatki Heritage Site.
  • Visit during the cooler months, as the site can close due to extreme heat.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Driving

    From Sedona, head west on Highway 89A for approximately 9.6 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road 525 (Loy Butte Road), a dirt road located just past mile marker 365. Follow Forest Road 525 for about 10 miles to the Honanki Heritage Site. The road is rough and requires a high-clearance vehicle. A Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required for parking, available for purchase at the site or online. Note: Pink Jeep Tours also offers tours to the site from Sedona for approximately $100 per person.

Unlock the Best of Honanki Heritage Site

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Honanki Heritage Site

Honanki Heritage Site, meaning "Bear House" in Hopi, is a remarkable window into the past, showcasing the lives of the Sinagua people who inhabited this region from approximately 1150 to 1350 AD. Located about 15 miles west of Sedona within the Coconino National Forest, the site features well-preserved cliff dwellings and ancient Pueblo rock art, offering visitors a tangible connection to the area's rich cultural heritage. The Sinagua people, believed to be ancestors of the Hopi, constructed these dwellings, which once housed around 200 individuals. The site contains remnants of approximately 72 rooms, some reaching two stories high, along with a communal space for gatherings and celebrations. Exploring the 0.6-mile self-guided loop trail allows you to step back in time and imagine daily life in this ancient community. Interpretive signs along the trail provide insights into the construction techniques, agricultural practices, and cultural traditions of the Sinagua people. Honanki also boasts an impressive collection of rock art, with pictographs and petroglyphs adorning the cliff walls. While some of these images predate the Sinagua occupation, dating back as far as 2000 BCE, most were created by the Sinagua between 900 and 1300 CE. Later, the Yavapai and Apache people also inhabited the site, leaving their own artistic mark on the rock walls. The site is open daily from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. A Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass is required for parking. The final few miles to the site are along a rough, unpaved road, requiring a high-clearance vehicle.

Popular Experiences near Honanki Heritage Site

Popular Hotels near Honanki Heritage Site

Select Currency