Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument preserves an ancient Hohokam farming community and Great House, dating back 500+ years. It is south of metro Phoenix in the central Arizona desert.

The iconic "Great House" with its protective ramada

Understand

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument preserves an ancient Hohokam farming community and Great House. The ruins is of multiple structures surrounded by a compound wall constructed by the ancient people of the Hohokam period, who farmed the Gila Valley in the early 13th century.

The monument, just north of the town of Coolidge, is very small, only about 3/4 of a square mile (1.2 km²).

The monument is open every day of the year from 9AM-5PM (October 1st - April 30th), and 9AM-4PM (May 1st - September 30th) except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Independence Day.

History

The Hohokam were a nation that lived in the south-central region of Arizona. Their community was centered around large adobe structures. For unknown reasons, the Hohokam abandoned their structures and left the region around 1450 CE.

The first written records of Casa Grade occurred in 1694. With the advent of train travel, more people began to visit the site between the 1860s and 1880s. During this period, souvenir hunting, graffiti, and vandalism took its toll on the site leading to the creation of the archaeological reserve. In 1892, Casa Grande Ruins was the designated as the first archaeological reserve in the United States. It was declared a National Monument in 1918.

To protect the structure from the elements, a wood-and-corrugated-iron shelter was built over it in 1903. In 1932, the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a more substantial steel shelter over the structure, which is still in use today.

Landscape

The monument lies within the Sonoran Desert but is surrounded by agricultural fields. Within the boundaries of the monument, natural desert terrain is maintained and is pretty much flat land.

Flora and fauna

Mammals such as the javelina, coyote, Mexican Wolf, bighorn sheep, and bobcat live in this area of the desert. Other animals like the bat, fox, skunk, cottontail, and jackrabbit also make this their home.

Climate

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       1     67 36       1     71 39       1.1     77 44       0.4     86 50       0.2     96 59       0.1     105 67       1.1     106 76       1.3     104 75       0.8     100 68       0.6     89 55       0.6     76 42       1.1     66 36 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches   Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       25     19 2       25     22 4       28     25 7       10     30 10       5.1     36 15       2.5     41 19       28     41 24       33     40 24       20     38 20       15     32 13       15     24 6       28     19 2 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm

Casa Grande Ruins is in the desert. Summer daytime temperatures frequently exceed 100 °F (38 °C). Winter temperatures range from the 60s to the 80s. Spring and fall are warm and dry, with highs in the 80s and 90s. During summer months, be prepared for hot temperatures. Protective clothing, hats, sunscreen and personal water containers are highly recommended.

Visitor information

• Park website

Get in

By car

The monument is about 20 miles (32 km) west of Interstate 10 and the city of Casa Grande. From I-10, take exit 194 and head east on Arizona State Route 287 (AZ 287) for 10 mi (16 km) to AZ 87. Turn left (north) on AZ 87 for 8 mi (13 km), turning left (west) into the monument. The monument is about a one-hour drive from either Phoenix or Tucson.

Fees and permits

Entrance is free for Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is free! (as of 2022).

School groups may apply for an Educational Fee waiver, which must be approved prior to the visit. Please call ahead.

There are several passes for groups traveling together in a private vehicle or individuals on foot/bike that provide free entry to Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and all national parks, as well as some national monuments, national wildlife refuges, and national forests:

• The $80 Annual Pass (valid for twelve months from date of issue) can be purchased by anyone. Military personnel can obtain a free pass by showing a Common Access Card (CAC) or Military ID.
• The $80 Senior Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or over. Applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and age. This pass also provides a 50% discount on some park amenities. Seniors can also obtain a $20 annual pass.
• The free Access Pass (valid for the life of the holder) is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Applicants must provide documentation of citizenship and permanent disability. This pass also provides a fifty percent discount on some park amenities.
• The free Volunteer Pass is available to individuals who have volunteered 250 or more hours with federal agencies that participate in the Interagency Pass Program.
• The free Annual 4th Grade Pass (valid for September to August of the 4th grade school year) allows entry to the bearer and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle. Registration at the Every Kid Outdoors website is required.

The National Park Service offers free admission to all national parks on five days every year:

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January); next observance is January 20, 2025
• The first day of National Park Week (third Saturday in April); next observance is April 20, 2024
• The National Park Service Birthday (August 25)
• National Public Lands Day (fourth Saturday in September); next observance is September 28, 2024
• Veterans Day (November 11)

Get around

As this monument is so small, foot travel is sufficient to experience the entire site.

See

• 1 Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, 1100 W Ruins Dr; Coolidge (from Casa Grande, take I-10 exit 194, east on AZ 287, north on AZ 87.), ☏ +1 520-723-3172, toll-free: +1 520-723-7209. Construction began in 1932 to create the current adobe visitor center. Funding was provided for only half of the open square building, final completion was delayed until 1956. Exhibits detail the history of Hohokam culture and the Casa Grande structure. There are also restrooms, a bookstore, and an orientation movie available in the current building. All park visitors enter the historic area by passing through the visitor center. (updated Aug 2022)

Do

• Self-Guided Tour. A short walk around the ruins of Casa Grande. 
• Ranger-Led Tour. A short 30-40 minute tour led a park ranger or volunteer through the ruins site (generally half sitting down and half walking around the ruins). 

Buy

The visitor center has a bookstore.

Eat

There are no food facilities within the park aside from a picnic area. For options, refer to nearby Coolidge and Casa Grande (20 miles / 32 km southwest).

Sleep

There is no lodging within the monument. For options, refer to nearby Coolidge, Casa Grande (20 miles / 32 km southwest), and south metro Phoenix such as Chandler (50 miles / 80 km northwest).

Go next

Explore the immediate vicinity, south of metro Phoenix: Coolidge, Casa Grande and Maricopa.

Or go south to Picacho and Picacho Peak State Park for some hiking, or continue towards Tucson, the Old Pueblo.

Or go north to metro Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun.