Tusayan Ruins

Tusayan Ruins is a settlement with a U-shaped pueblo building located several miles west of Desert View Watchtower within the national park. The structure includes living quarters, storage rooms, and a kiva chamber used for community and spiritual gatherings.

Excavations began in 1930 when researchers uncovered evidence that this place was settled during the 12th century. The work revealed key information about the pueblo peoples who inhabited this area of the canyon.

The name reflects a nearby Native American people who inhabited the surrounding region. Visitors walking through can see how residents organized their daily activities across different rooms, from cooking spaces to places for storing food and conducting spiritual ceremonies.

The ruins can be explored on foot by following a marked trail that connects a small museum to the site. Parking is available nearby, though visitors should be prepared for weather conditions that vary by season in this exposed location.

Analysis of tree rings shows that people lived here for only about two decades before moving away. This glimpse into short-term settlement patterns suggests that pueblo communities adapted their living arrangements in response to changing environmental conditions.

Location: Coconino County

GPS coordinates: 36.01329,-111.86555

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:03