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Honanki Heritage Site: Ancient Cliff Dwellings

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

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Explore the Honanki Heritage Site, a well-preserved Sinagua cliff dwelling dating back to AD 1100-1300, nestled in the red rock country near Sedona. Discover ancient rock art and learn about the lives of the people who once called this place home.

A brief summary to Honanki Heritage Site

Local tips

  • The road to Honanki is rough; a high-clearance vehicle or a Pink Jeep Tour is recommended.
  • Purchase a Red Rock Pass online or scan the QR code at the site to avoid limited service issues.
  • Bring your own water, as there is no drinking water available at the site.
  • Visit during cooler months or early morning to avoid high temperatures, as the site may close when temperatures exceed 100°F.
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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 9.5 miles to the Honanki Heritage Site. Note that the final stretch of Forest Road 525 is a rough, unpaved road that requires a high-clearance vehicle. Parking is available on the left side of the road. A Red Rock Pass is required for parking, which can be purchased on-site for $5. Alternatively, an America the Beautiful Pass is accepted.

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Discover more about Honanki Heritage Site

Honanki Heritage Site, meaning "Bear House" in Hopi, is a captivating glimpse into the past, showcasing the ancient cliff dwellings of the Sinagua people. Located approximately 15 miles west of Sedona within the Coconino National Forest, this site was inhabited from around AD 1100 to 1300. The Sinagua, ancestors of the Hopi, constructed these dwellings, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of architecture and rock art. The site features the remains of a pueblo, with an estimated 72 rooms, making it one of the largest cliff dwellings in the Verde Valley. Visitors can explore the ruins along a 0.6-mile self-guided loop trail, with interpretive signs providing insights into the construction techniques and daily life of the Sinagua people. The trail leads to the base of the cliff dwellings, allowing visitors to observe the intricate rock art, some of which predates the Sinagua and may be as old as 2000 BCE. Later, the Yavapai and Apache people also inhabited the site, adding their own contributions to the rock art. Honanki offers a unique opportunity to connect with the history and culture of the Southwest. The site is managed by the U.S. Forest Service under the Red Rock Pass Program.

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