Adjacent to rapidly expanding communities, the 71,000 acre Agua Fria National Monument is located approximately 40 miles north of central Phoenix. The monument encompasses two mesas Perry and the adjacent, smaller Black Mesa and the canyon of the Agua Fria River. Elevations in the national monument range from 2,150 feet above sea level along the Agua Fria Canyon to about 4,600 feet in the northern hills.
This expansive mosaic of semi-desert area, cut by ribbons of valuable riparian forest, offers one of the most significant systems of prehistoric sites in the American Southwest. In addition to the rich record of human history, the monument contains outstanding biological resources.
The windswept, grassy mesas and formidable canyons of Agua Fria National Monument embrace an extraordinary array of scientific and historic resources. The ancient ruins within the monument, with their breathtaking vistas and spectacular petroglyphs, provide a link to the past, offering insights into the lives of the peoples who once inhabited this part of the desert Southwest. The area’s architectural features and artifacts are tangible objects that can help researchers reconstruct the human past. Such objects and, more importantly, the spatial relationships among them, provide outstanding opportunities for archeologists to study the way humans interacted with one another, neighboring groups and with the environment that sustained them in prehistoric times.
Agua Fria National Monument contains one of the most significant systems of late prehistoric sites in the American Southwest. Between 1250 A. D. and 1450 A. D., its pueblo communities were populated by up to several thousand people. During this time, many dwelling locations in the Southwest were abandoned and groups became aggregated in a relatively small number of densely populated areas. The monument encompasses one of the best examples of these areas, containing important archeological evidence that is crucial to understanding the cultural, social and economic processes that accompanied this period of significant change.
At least 450 prehistoric sites are known to exist within the monument and there are likely many more. There are at least four major settlements within the area, including Pueblo La Plata, Pueblo Pato, the Baby Canyon Ruin group and the Lousy Canyon group. These consist of clusters of stone-masonry pueblos, some containing at least 100 rooms. These settlements are typically situated at the edges of steep canyons and offer a panorama of ruins, distinctive rock art panels and visually spectacular settings.
Many intact petroglyph sites within the monument contain rock art symbols pecked into the surfaces of boulders and cliff faces. The sites range from single designs on boulders to cliffs covered with hundreds of geometric and abstract symbols. Some of the most impressive sites are associated with major pueblos, such as Pueblo Pato.
Agua Fria National Monument holds an extraordinary record of prehistoric agricultural features, including extensive terraces bounded by lines of rocks and other types of landscape modifications. The agricultural areas, as well as other sites, reflect the skills of ancient residents at producing and obtaining food supplies sufficient to sustain a population of several thousand people.
Agua Fria National Monument also contains historic sites representing early Anglo-American history through the 19th century, including remnants of Basque sheep camps, historic mining features and military activities.
In addition to its rich record of human history, Agua Fria National Monument contains other objects of scientific interest. This expansive mosaic of semi-desert grassland, cut by ribbons of valuable riparian forest, is an outstanding biological resource. The diversity of vegetative communities, topographical features and relative availability of water provide habitat for a wide array of sensitive wildlife species, including the lowland leopard frog, the Mexican garter snake, the common black hawk and the desert tortoise.
Other wildlife is abundant and diverse, including pronghorn, mule deer and white-tail deer. Javelina, mountain lions, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and neotropical migratory birds also inhabit the area. Elk and black bear are present, but less abundant. Four species of native fish, including the longfin dace, the Gila mountain sucker, the Gila chub and the speckled dace, exist in the Agua Fria River and its tributaries.
History & Culture
The Agua Fria National Monument contains one of the most significant systems of late prehistoric sites in the American Southwest. Its ancient ruins offer insights into the lives of those who long ago inhabited this part of the desert southwest. Between A. D. 1250 and 1450, the area’s pueblo communities were populated by up to several thousand people. At least 450 prehistoric sites are known to exist within the monument area and there are likely many more. There are at least four major settlements within the area, including Pueblo La Plata, Pueblo Pato, the Baby Canyon Ruin group and the Lousy Canyon group.
These consist of clusters of stone-masonry pueblos, some containing at least one hundred rooms. In addition, there are many intact petroglyphs, as well as remnants of prehistoric agricultural features. The monument also contains historic sites representing early Anglo-American history through the nineteenth century, including remnants of Basque sheep camps, historic mining features and military activities.
In the last few decades, the area has received increased recognition as an outstanding archaeological resource. The majority of public land in the area was acquired around 1990 from the State of Arizona and in two private exchanges. The area contains most of a National Register of Historic Places District. Originally designated in 1975, the District was expanded in 1996 to encompass approximately 50,000 acres managed by the BLM and the Tonto National Forest. It is one of the largest prehistoric districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Recreation
Prehistoric archaeological sites, such as stone pueblos and rock art, are numerous but remote and inaccessible. Currently, no sites have been developed for public visitation. Visitors who encounter archaeological sites are encouraged to observe, enjoy and photograph them while leaving all artifacts as found for others to discover and appreciate. Artifacts are a non-renewable resource, so we must take care of what remains. Defacing archaeological sites is vandalism and is punishable by law. Additional activities include wildlife viewing, photography, primitive camping, hiking, hunting and rugged back-country vehicle travel (no off-road travel allowed).
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
Agua Fria National Monument
BLM Phoenix Field Office
21605 North 7th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85027
Phone: 623-580-5500
Location
Agua Fria National Monument is located of Interstate 17 north of Phoenix. Take Interstate 17 to either Badger Springs or Bloody Basin Road.
