9 Ancient Ruins In Arizona That Are Worth Visiting
Indiana Jones and Laura Croft may be fictional characters but we know of a few spots that'll make you feel like a real explorer. There are many ruins in Arizona filled with ancient cliff dwellings and houses that you should see at least once in your life. Plus, it will make for a great trip with friends.
Many of the ancient dwellings below allow you to get a glimpse into the past. For example, Montezuma Castle was one of four sites to be deemed a National Monument because of its historical and cultural significance.
For many years, it was open to the public but due to an excessive amount of damage, the ruins are only available to see from a distance.
They were built by the Sinagua people between 1100 and 1425 CE. Many of these ruins will make the history buff within you very happy and you can even see a few of them up-close.
Montezuma Castle
Price: $10 per person aged 16 years and older
Address: Camp Verde, Arizona
Why You Need To Go: This historical site is filled with cliff dwellings, pueblo ruins, and pit houses.
Canyon de Chelly
Price: Free
Address: Chinle, Arizona
Why You Need To Go: This site was occupied for almost 4,000 years before the Puebloans left in the mid-1300s for better farmland.
Tonto National Monument
Price: $10 per person
Address: 26260 N AZ Hwy 188 Lot 2, Roosevelt, Arizona
Why You Need To Go: You can walk through these ruins for a weekday trip with friends.
Palatki Heritage Site
Price: Red Rock Pass $5 per person
Address: Forest Road 795 Sedona, Arizona
Why You Need To Go: This dwelling also has beautiful rock art from 1150 to 1350 A.D. Plus, there are three different trails you can explore.
Kinishba Ruins
Price: Admission included in museum fee of $5 per person
Address: 127 Scout Street, Fort Apache, Arizona
Why You Need To Go: You can tour the museum and then visit the ruins before you go. It's a 400-500 room Mongollon great house presumably built between 1250 and 1350 A.D.
Tuzigoot National Monument
Price: $10 per person aged 16 years and older
Address: 25 Tuzigoot Rd, Clarkdale, Arizona
Why You Need To Go: This hilltop village was built by Sinagua people around 1000 A.D. The 110 room house also included second and three-story structures.
Wupatki National Monument
Price: $25 per vehicle
Address: 25137 N Wupatki Ln, Flagstaff, Arizona
Why You Need To Go: You can sign up for an overnight backpacking trip to explore the park and see rock art and ancient architecture not open to the public.
Walnut Canyon National Monument
Price: $15 per person
Address: 3 Walnut Canyon Rd, Flagstaff, Arizona
Why You Need To Go: A prehistoric culture known as Sinagua occupied this region from 600 A.D. to about the 1400s.
Navajo National Monument
Price: Free
Address: Shonto, Arizona
Why You Need To Go: This site has some of the most preserved dwellings in the state. The ruins were occupied approximately between 1250 to 1300 A.D.
We strongly advise that before you go swimming or visit any location, you check the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. If you do plan to visit a location, respect the environment.
B.C. Green Leader Emily Lowan following a media availability in Victoria, B.C., on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kevin Light