The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.
The Pueblo La Plata Cultural Site at Agua Fria National Monument is an archeological site consisting of the ruins of approximately 80 to 90 rooms that people lived in between 1200 and 1450 A.D. If you inspect the area closely, you can see the wall ruins, although plant life mostly covers them. As you explore this site near the Aqua River, you will see the terraces where they grew crops. Located about 40 miles north of Phoenix, the monument contains two mesas and a river. It is about 168 miles south of Grand Canyon National Park.
While there are no organized Bureau of Land Management campgrounds at this site, you can boondock there. When roaming in Arizona, you should watch for Bureau of Land Management camping facilities. You can generally stay in these areas for up to 14 days at little or no cost. They are usually located in fascinating areas filled with scenic beauty, so wherever you roam, search for "BLM camping near me."
This out-and-back trail in Agua Fria National Monument is mostly sand. As you near the river at the turn-around point, you will see some petroglyphs. Note that the river can be dry in the summertime.
Length: 1.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
This trail starts very near the interstate. You will love the views of the Aqua River canyon from this trail in Agua Fria National Monument. This flat trail leads to a locked gate where you will need to turn around because the other side is private property. Length: 2.3 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Officials have divided the Arizona National Scenic Trail into 43 segments. The southern end of the trail is in the Huachuca Mountains on the Mexican border while the northern end of the course is in the Buckskin Mountains. This trail runs through Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon National Park.
Length: 800 miles
Intensity: Strenuous
The Salt River east of Phoenix is a fantastic place to fish. State officials stock this river with rainbow trout from September through April. Anglers can also catch bass, carp, and suckers.
The Superstition Mountains, located a short distance northeast of Phoenix, are a great place to go climbing. Lost Dutchman State Park is a great place to start climbing before moving on to the Superstition Wilderness. Be aware that it is illegal to place bolts in the wilderness area.
The Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is a great place to see rehabilitated wildlife that cannot be released back into the wild. You must make an appointment for a guided tour when visiting this area. Bobcats, bears, coyotes and Mexican gray wolves are a few of the animals that you might see.
Papago Park is a fantastic place for a picnic. Consider a picnic supper because you will want to climb the 200 steps to see the natural rock formation called Hole in the Wall at sunset. You may also want to see the white pyramid tomb of Arizona's first governor parched high on a hill overlooking this park. There are numerous hiking trails.
Finding RV camping is not difficult because of this site’s proximity to Phoenix. If you want to stay closer, consider Haslett Hollow Campground in Prescott National Forest. This campground is a very short distance from Horsethief Lake. You may also want to check out Civilian Conservation Corps Camp near Cave Creek. This campground in the Tonto National Forest sits under sycamore trees and near a small creek.
You can disperse camp at Pueblo La Plata Cultural Site and throughout the Agua Fria National Monument, but no organized Bureau of Land Management free camping facilities exist. You can also camp at the Little Pan Staging Area in the Table Mesa Recreation Area. This is a fantastic place to go on an off-roading adventure.
Agua Fria National Monument is a great place to go stargazing. The best spots are those with the highest elevation, so the two mesas overlooking the Aqua River are ideal locations. While you may want to use flashlights to get to the top of the mesas, once everyone is settled, turn them off and let your eyes adjust to the darkness. After you start looking, you will see stars have different colors, which is caused by the star's temperature. You may want to bring along a star chart to identify the various constellations.
Regardless of whether you are sitting around a campfire, watching the stars, hiking a trail, or fishing one of the nearby lakes, you will be making beautiful memories. Make the most of your time at Pueblo La Plata Cultural Site by learning more about BLM camping.
Trash service is not available in this area. Therefore, please take all your trash with you. Leaving it behind ruins the beauty of the area for others. People have lived in this area for over 1,000 years, and you do not want to mess it up for the next generation.
Take the Bloody Basin Road from Interstate 17 North. The frontage road soon turns into gravel, and you will cross a cattle guard. Keep going for 8.3 miles and turn left onto an unmarked dirt road. Go 0.5 miles. Then follow the track staying to the right. At the first branch, turn right, and at the second branch, turn left. At the third branch, turn left. You will see a small parking area.
Address: Pueblo La Plata Cultural Site, Agua Fria National Monument, Black Canyon City, AZ 85324
Ready to visit Pueblo La Plata Cultural Site? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you'll have your RV to return to for the night where you'll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here's a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.
