Hohokam Pima National Monument

Hohokam Pima National Monument is an archaeological reserve in Pinal County covering about 1,690 acres and containing the remains of an ancient settlement called Snaketown. The site shows traces of mud dwellings, irrigation channels, and everyday objects that survived thousands of years in the desert.

The area was settled by the Hohokam between 300 BCE and 1200 CE, as excavations between 1934 and 1965 revealed. Those investigations showed a network of irrigation channels that represented one of the region's early technological achievements.

The monument preserves evidence of a community that mastered irrigation and created one of North America's earliest advanced farming societies. Visitors learn through archaeological findings about a people who conducted trade across large distances and built complex settlements.

The site lies within the Gila River Indian Reservation and is not open to the general public. Those interested in learning about the location should reach out to the Gila River Indian Community for information.

The Hohokam built houses as rectangular pits dug into the ground and roofed with branches and mud bricks supported by wooden posts. This construction method was perfectly suited to the extreme desert heat and provided natural cooling.

Location: Pinal County

Operator: National Park Service

Website: https://nps.gov/articles/hohokam.htm

GPS coordinates: 33.18661,-111.92258

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:56