Homolovi Ruins State Park, Winslow

Where We Are Going

October 2006 - Homolovi Ruins State Park, Winslow, AZ

When: Oct 9 through 12, Leave on the morning of the 13th
Where: Homolovi Ruins State Park
Who are the hosts: Dale & Phoebe Rodgers
Costs: Standard State Park Fees
Three main pueblo ruins, Visitor Center, bookstore and exhibits
53 camping sites with electric hook-ups, dump station, restrooms and showers
Showers available year-round. Water hook-ups available April thru mid November
Picnic tables and grills, day-use ramadas, and trails
Well-designed for all visitors
Brief History...
In the high grassland of 14th century northern Arizona, an ancient people found a home along the Little Colorado River. These people, the Hisat'sinom (known to archaeologists as the Anasazi), paused in their migrations to till the rich flood plain and sandy slopes before continuing north to join people already living on the mesas, people who are today known as the Hopi.
The Hopi people of today still consider Homolovi, as well as other precolumbian sites in the southwest, to be part of their homeland. They continue to make pilgrimages to these sites, renewing the ties of the people with the land. The Hopi tell us that the broken pottery and stones are now part of the land and are the trail the Bahana will follow when he returns. Therefore, these are mute reminders that the Hopi continue to follow the true Hopi way and the instructions of Masau'u.

The years have brought many changes to Homolovi. The migrations ended when the people settled at the center of the world, the Hopi Mesas north of Homolovi. However, as new people appeared, such as the Dine' (Navajo) and later the Europeans, the Hopi watched as their homeland was occupied by the new people. Eventually they also saw these people begin destroying their ancient homes, digging in these sacred sites for curios and for items to sell.

In an effort to protect some of these sites, the Hopi people supported the idea of Homolovi Ruins State Park. This idea resulted in the establishment of the park in 1986 and the opening of the park in 1993.