ruins in AZ?

[hsmamato2]

thinking of the AZ part of our trip....I need more advice- was planning to stop at Montezuma ruins, but am learning we can't go into the ruins themselves- do any of the local ruins allow inside visits? specifically cliff dwellings? Honanki or Palatki? Tuzigoot? we have one afternoon,and we wanted to visit Sedona,etc before heading to GC (staying one night in Flagstaff for )
Also considering Oak Creek Canyon based on reviews- Red Rock Canyon? is it the same area? what are some "not to be missed' places here? This would be our 'get off the plane' afternoon,so we have probably from 1 p.m.- dark..... late September...thanks!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Tuzigoot will let you go into parts of the ruin. Even though you can't go into the ruin, Montezuma's Castle is worth the stop. You probably won't really have time to see all of the ruins and Sedona or go through Oak Creek Canyon during the daylight.

 

[jdb in AZ]

thinking of the AZ part of our trip....I need more advice- was planning to stop at Montezuma ruins, but am learning we can't go into the ruins themselves- do any of the local ruins allow inside visits? specifically cliff dwellings? Honanki or Palatki? Tuzigoot? we have one afternoon,and we wanted to visit Sedona,etc before heading to GC (staying one night in Flagstaff for )
Also considering Oak Creek Canyon based on reviews- Red Rock Canyon? is it the same area? what are some "not to be missed' places here? This would be our 'get off the plane' afternoon,so we have probably from 1 p.m.- dark..... late September...thanks!

Tuzigoot is interesting, but there's not much there. Not familiar with Honanki or Palatki. Montezuma's Castle is built into a high cliff and the ancient residents hauled up their ladders to protect themselves from the enemy. Those wooden ladders have long since disintegrated, but the castle is still worth seeing. If you want to explore ruins, Mesa Verde would be a better option, but it's certainly out of your way to the Grand Canyon. Canyon De Chelley on an Indian reservation in NE AZ has ruins but you'd probably have to hire an Indian guide to take you there.

Sedona's Red Rocks and the drive through Oak Creek Canyon are definitely worth seeing. Added to Montezuma's Castle, they would pretty much take up your whole afternoon.

 

[hsmamato2]

JDB-that's what I thought.... just trying to cover my bases here,as there's so much to see,so little time!
Oak Creek and red Rock canyon.... are they drive thru type viewings? or better to stop at certain places within them?

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I would drive through Oak Creek Canyon on your way to Flagstaff on 89A. If it is still light enough, you can stop at Slide Rock. Even though it might not be open to sliding, it is a pretty walk/hike. Otherwise, the canyon is just pretty to drive through. You might even see some colors changing, depending on how cool it has gotten by then up there.

I have no idea where Red Rock Canyon is. If you take the Sedona exit off of I-17, you will drive through a lot of red rock formations on your way to Sedona, but it is not a canyon.

 

[araes2102]

I second Wendy. Drive up through Sedona, which will take you past the red rock formations and straight on through Oak Creek Canyon. A very pretty drive indeed. Montezuma's Castle is pretty cool to see but it may be difficult to do both. Plus if you use the afternoon to go through sedona you can stop and explore the many shops and restaurants in the area. They have some amazing places to eat and gift shops. L'Auberge is awesome and has very beautiful grounds, including a restaurant right on Oak Creek (which is very pricey but you don't have to eat here, they will let you on the grounds just to check things out and have free valet parking!).

Another option for ruins is Walnut Canyon in Flagstaff, and this canyon is literally only 10 minutes from the main hotel drive in the area! You are only allowed to go down to the trail with the cliff dwellings until 3pm so perhaps drive up to Flag through Sedona that first day and hit Walnut Canyon in the am? I go to Walnut Canyon everytime I am in Flag because it is so beautiful. Also, the trail takes you right through the dwellings area and, even though there isn't much left to them, you can go inside. Beware, there are about 1000 stairs down to the trail and going back is up is much more difficult than you might think. I swear the last time I went I thought they were going to have to send a rescue helicopter for me! But overall one of my favorite places to visit.

 

[hsmamato2]

thanks for the tip about Walnut canyon! are the ruins cliff type? I have this idea stuck in my head....cliff dwellings fascinate me....

 

[araes2102]

Yes, built by the sinagua people in the walls of the canyon. I'll try to post a pic for you when I am back on my computer and not my phone

 

[hsmamato2]

thanks! I googled the images (I'm slow) and now WC is on our itinerary- probably in the a.m after a night in Flagstaff...I LOVE THE DISBOARDS! thanks for all the great advice- can't wait to go on this long awaited trip,less than a month now...got to start packing my suitcase!

 

[araes2102]

Have an awesome trip!

 

[kankn]

I would drive through Oak Creek Canyon on your way to Flagstaff on 89A. If it is still light enough, you can stop at Slide Rock. Even though it might not be open to sliding, it is a pretty walk/hike. Otherwise, the canyon is just pretty to drive through. You might even see some colors changing, depending on how cool it has gotten by then up there.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I would drive through Oak Creek Canyon on your way to Flagstaff on 89A. If it is still light enough, you can stop at Slide Rock. Even though it might not be open to sliding, it is a pretty walk/hike. Otherwise, the canyon is just pretty to drive through. You might even see some colors changing, depending on how cool it has gotten by then up there.

I would drive through Oak Creek Canyon on your way to Flagstaff on 89A. If it is still light enough, you can stop at Slide Rock. Even though it might not be open to sliding, it is a pretty walk/hike. Otherwise, the canyon is just pretty to drive through. You might even see some colors changing, depending on how cool it has gotten by then up there.

This sounds awfully familiar. Did you intend to quote me?