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    Shoofly Ruins

    4.3 (4 reviews)

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    Fort Apache Historic Park

    Fort Apache Historic Park

    5.0(5 reviews)
    81.8 mi

    "Dagot'ee" (Welcome) and "Ashoog" (Thank you)…read more These are the greetings in the White Mountain Apache Language that you will likely feel when you visit Fort Apache Historic Park for it is a captivating destination that unveils the rich tapestry of history. Walking its grounds connects one to what happened in the past. It was a military outpost in the late 19th century site from the 1800s. This park honors the legacy of a turning point in history between the Apaches and the US Cavalry. Exploring the preserved buildings from over a century ago, over twenty in total, tell their tales. A museum and cafe also sit among the remnants of an Indian boarding school run by the Bureau of Indian Education. Quarters that sheltered officers and barracks for the ranks, with an old graveyard too, show both hardships and triumphs of those who made this place home. Each structure recounts stories of the Apache and soldiers who coexisted through changing times. Today, Fort Apache stands as proof of history that came and links cultures still alive. If you love history like me and want to learn about the life of the Apache tribe from the past to the present, this should not be missed. I, myself, frequent the park every time I pick up my mails since the post office is housed in one of the old structures. Outside the post office, you can also pet friendly dogs of families staying in those barracks. They love to get some treats too.

    Fort Apache is a "must see" for those desiring to learn more about western expansion in the 1800s…read more Many buildings are well-restored and so many others remain from that period that you can imagine how the fort was "back in the day". Most interesting is that the Apaches welcomed the US Army into the stunning valley. One registers at the museum for a nominal fee and then you are free to roam all the property including the original site where the commanding officer lived as well as the continuously functioning US Post Office. And, do not miss lunch in the Arrowhead Cafe. The menu is brief but the food is yummy and freshly prepared. Adjoining the cafe is a shop for products made by Native Americans, even handmade clothes and fabrics to make some. We've lived the Arizona for 40 years and should have come much sooner. Also, a school has been on the property since 1920 and has been continuously occupied since then.

    Photos
    Fort Apache Historic Park
    Fort Apache Historic Park
    Fort Apache Historic Park

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    Lava River Cave - Fork in the cave

    Lava River Cave

    4.6(102 reviews)
    79.2 mi

    This cave is located in Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Since it is super popular, you have to…read moremake reservations on their website so that it's not overcrowded and to limit the disturbances to the cave. It gets pretty busy so make sure to set an alarm when the tickets get released. It's a 2.2 mile out and back cave, although if you're too tired or scared you can always turn around and head back. The deeper in the cave I went, the fewer the visitors. The process is pretty straight forward. Once you get checked in at the parking lot entrance, park and walk to the orientation tent where they ask if any of the clothing you are currently wearing has been to another cave (to avoid the spread of white nose syndrome in bats) and also some basic orienteering. They also have flashlights for rental if you forgot. These are really powerful flashlights so I highly recommend it since your cellphone light isn't going to cut it. It gets pretty chilly in there so bring jackets even if it's hot on the surface. The cave flooring is pretty even although there are some dips you might trip on if you're not prepared. No scrambling or anything strenuous. Very fun!

    I was taken along on this trek last minute, thinking it would be a simple hike down to just chill…read moreinside the cave. I was wearing jeans and regular street sneakers. I also had no flashlight or headlamp of my own - I was reliant on two friends with flashlights. I totally acknowledge that I was completely unprepared, so take this review with a grain of salt and use your own judgment. HAVING SAID THAT...even if I knew what I was getting myself into, I still would have hated it and probably never gone. I am a "dirt trail with pretty views" kind of person so this was a nightmare for me. We climbed down the rocky cave entrance for about 5-10 minutes before fully leaving the light. I had to constantly watch where I was stepping so as to not step on a loose rock, fall and break my ankle. And it's really fun trying to "watch where you step" IN THE DARK. At the point where the decline ends and the entrance light is fully gone, I could have stopped, enjoyed the novelty of being in darkness and 50 degree moist air, and headed back. My friends convinced me that it "gets flat" soon...it does not get flat. I eventually had to head back because I was starting to panic. Later, I realized we didn't even make it a quarter of the way so I'm really glad I went back. This is NOT a beginner excursion. I was shocked to see children and elderly people coming down the cave entrance as I was leaving. I would NOT recommend this unless you are physically fit, healthy, and brave.

    Photos
    Lava River Cave - Entrance to the cave

    Entrance to the cave

    Lava River Cave - Inside the cave

    Inside the cave

    Lava River Cave

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    Montezuma Well - Trail exit to parking lot

    Montezuma Well

    4.5(106 reviews)
    36.8 mi

    Montezuma Well is a separate unit of Montezuma Castle National Monument. It's 20 minutes east of…read moreMontezuma Castle and well worth a stop! There's no entrance fee, but there's a small ranger station at the trailhead and a very enthusiastic volunteer who gave as an orientation speech of the human history of the area and the geology of the area. Without him, the visit would have been less impressive. The water in the sinkhole contains high levels of arsenic and carbon dioxide, so no fish are in the water...but don't worry there are plenty of leeches! Don't enter the water because of that, and also because you do not want to disturb the five species endemic to this spot of water. They're found nowhere else. Interestingly enough, there's near-constant volume of spring water even in times of severe drought, which would have seemed miraculous to the people who lived here. If you look from the rim, you can see several prehistoric dwellings right under the rim on the other side. Hiking down gets you close to more dwellings. Well worth a trip, especially as it's less crowded than the Castle.

    My friend and I stopped to see the Montezuma Castle first. This Well is only a couple miles up from…read morethe Castle. It is another short trail loop to see the Well and it's FREE (no entry fee). It's a amazing site when you reach the top of the well with the view of the well and dwellings. There is a board with some facts. The best part though was there was a wonderful, very friendly Park Ranger stationed at the top to answer any questions and to talk about the Well and surroundings if interested. She also told us of the hidden path to actually go down onto the well. We were there around 3pm, on a Monday and there were no crowds at all. A must see!

    Photos
    Montezuma Well - Leeches in formaldehyde; they were black

    Leeches in formaldehyde; they were black

    Montezuma Well - Sign at entrance to trail

    Sign at entrance to trail

    Montezuma Well - The beginning of the trail about 75 feet short but incline

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    The beginning of the trail about 75 feet short but incline

    Riordan Mansion State Historic Park - Riordan Mansion interior

    Riordan Mansion State Historic Park

    4.6(72 reviews)
    65.6 mi

    First off, some of the signs pointing to the entrance of this place are flat out incorrect. Second…read moreoff, it's not worth it to buy a $5 pass. The main attraction really is the mansion so just buy a $18 pass which gives you access to the mansion tour as well as the outside grounds (which is what the $5 pass gives you access to). As for as museum goes, the subject material isn't that interesting: it's about a random wealthy family. Imagine a 100 years into the future we have a museum about a random millionaire. Our tour guide, Marco, was fantastic and great at answering questions for our little group of 4. The mansion really is just a showcase of how a wealthy person's home from the early 1900's. You get a glimpse into their business and personal lives as well as the type of furniture employed in the household. The tour was interactive and nice. The self guided tour is just literally walking around the mansion so there isn't too much to see but it makes for a nice, short walk. Overall, I think that there are more interesting museums out there. But if you're looking for a super quiet museum to browse, this would be the place.

    Brenden did an EXCEPTIONAL job giving us a private tour of the mansion. He was full of facts and…read morestories. The artifacts & history packed into this mansion are so cool! You really got a sense of who these people were and how well they lived. The grounds are stunning and we really enjoyed the outside self guided tour. We were there two hours and I'd go back in a heartbeat!

    Photos
    Riordan Mansion State Historic Park - Swing couch

    Swing couch

    Riordan Mansion State Historic Park - Swing room

    Swing room

    Riordan Mansion State Historic Park - Kat was the best guide!

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    Kat was the best guide!

    Walnut Canyon National Monument - Gift shop

    Walnut Canyon National Monument

    4.7(198 reviews)
    64.8 mi

    This was completely mind blowing We were a family of three…read moreand we completed it with no issues going to the island trail. To see the canyon on both sides, the sunny side and the shaded side was a big difference. I do recommend taking your time going up the stairs because you will be out of breath. But it is completely worth it for the views The staff was absolutely wonderful. They even have people walking down the trails. Would totally recommend

    This is a cool place where you can see structures left by Native people (prehistoric culture…read moreSinagua) although there are also artifacts from the Archaic peoples before them who did not reside permanently in the canyon. There is a visitor center and two trails here. The Rim trail at a pretty even 0.75 miles is great for people who want a stroll that follows the canyon rim (out and back trail). You can see the structures from the rim, but it's even better with binoculars. The Island trail is slightly longer at 1 mi, but a steeper 185 vertical feet into the canyon with a whole bunch of stairs at the beginning, and returns the same way. I guess people get too tired to climb back up since there are numerous signs warning of the steep climb back. The trail begins at the back door exit of the visitor center, which they close at 4 pm (the entire monument closes at 5 pm, so they don't want anyone to start the trail and get locked in). Both trails were great and they had informational signs along the way. I really liked the Island trail since you get up close and personal with the structures. The visitor center was standard - offering a gift shop, bathrooms outside, and information about the history and significance of the area. The ranger staffing the information desk was pretty patient with the group of tourists and determining if they were fit to do the Island trail. It's a totally different vibe from the Grand Canyon, so don't expect huge views.

    Photos
    Walnut Canyon National Monument - The canyon

    The canyon

    Walnut Canyon National Monument - Women's restroom at the Visitor's Center

    Women's restroom at the Visitor's Center

    Walnut Canyon National Monument - Ancient Sinagua Cliff Dwellings near Flagstaff Arizona | Rees's Roots

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    Ancient Sinagua Cliff Dwellings near Flagstaff Arizona | Rees's Roots

    Shoofly Ruins - hiking - Updated June 2026

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