Home > Travel > State Parks > Arizona > Homolovi Ruins State Park

Brief History...
In the high grassland of 14th century northern Arizona, an ancient people found a home along the Little Colorado River. These people, the Hisat'sinom (known to archaeologists as the Anasazi), paused in their migrations to till the rich flood plain and sandy slopes before continuing north to join people already living on the mesas, people who are today known as the Hopi.

The Hopi people of today still consider Homolovi, as well as other precolumbian sites in the southwest, to be part of their homeland. They continue to make pilgrimages to these sites, renewing the ties of the people with the land. The Hopi tell us that the broken pottery and stones are now part of the land and are the trail the Bahana will follow when he returns. Therefore, these are mute reminders that the Hopi continue to follow the true Hopi way and the instructions of Masau'u.

The years have brought many changes to Homolovi. The migrations ended when the people settled at the center of the world, the Hopi Mesas north of Homolovi. However, as new people appeared, such as the Dine' (Navajo) and later the Europeans, the Hopi watched as their homeland was occupied by the new people. Eventually they also saw these people begin destroying their ancient homes, digging in these sacred sites for curios and for items to sell.

In an effort to protect some of these sites, the Hopi people supported the idea of Homolovi Ruins State Park. This idea resulted in the establishment of the park in 1986 and the opening of the park in 1993.

Homolovi Ruins State Park now serves as a center of research for the late migration period of the Hopi from the 1200's to the late 1300's. While archaeologists study the sites and confer with the Hopi to unravel the history of Homolovi, Arizona State Parks provides the opportunity for visitors to visit the sites and use park facilities including a visitor center and museum, various trails and a campground. Several covered picnic tables are located throughout the park. Pullouts provide the opportunity to observe wildlife in this park of over 4,000 acres at an elevation of 4,900 feet.

Did You Know?
This is a sacred place to the Hopi people. Each broken piece of pottery, each stone fragment, each ancient wall, and each figure pecked into stone by their ancestors is sacred and deserves our respect. In addition, state and federal laws are actively enforced to protect these sites.

Removal or damage of any site, artifact, artifact fragment, or rock art can incur penalties under state law of 5 years in prison and a maximum $150,000 fine.

We therefore ask that you respect the wishes of the Hopi people ... Enjoy Homolovi, but leave the sites as you find them.

Learn about archaeological research with computer imaging at Homolovi Ruins State Park. Sponsored by the Durfee Foundation, Earthwatch, and the Arizona State Museum.

Trails

Nusungvö: The name means "Place of Rest" in the Hopi language. 1.2 miles primitive hike across high prarie grasslands. This trail goes from the Visitor Center to the campground area.

Tsu'vö: The name means "Path of the Rattlesnake" in Hopi. It is a 1/2 mile loop trail between the twin buttes within the park. It is a nature trail and also an archaelogical trail where you can see milling stone areas and petroglyphs.

Diné: This 1 1/2 mile trail goes to Diné Point and ties in with both other trails. Diné Point shows a scenic view of the park.

Homolovi II Trail: 1/2 mile paved trail that is wheelchair accessible. The trail allows access to the largest of the Park's archaeological sites and contains an estimated 1,200 to 2,000 rooms. It is believed that these pueblos were once home to the ancestors of the present-day Hopi people. Much of the activity took place during the fourteenth century. There continue to be similarities between the architecture, pottery styles, and art motifs of the Hopi people in the north, and the prehistoric inhabitants of Homolovi.

More than 300 archaeological sites have been identified within the park boundaries, including four major fourteenth century pueblos. The visitor center provides exhibits that interpret the significance of this area.

Park Rules

• Artifacts, rock art and other cultural items/sites are protected.
• All natural resources are protected.
• Keep pets on a leash.
• Prevent loud nuisance noises.
• Maximum of two vehicles per campsite with up to 6 people.
• Camping permitted in designated sites only.