Homolovi State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Homolovi State Park |
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Visitor Center
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 Homolovi State Park
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Navajo, Arizona, United States |
| Area | 4,500 acres (18 km2) |
| Established | 1986 |
| Visitors | 36,311 (in 2022) |
| Governing body | Arizona State Parks |
Homolovi State Park is a special place in Arizona, United States. It protects over 300 ancient Ancestral Puebloan sites. These sites were once homes and villages of people who lived long ago.
The name Homolovi (or Homol'ovi in the Hopi language) means "place of the little hills." The park is just north of Winslow, Arizona. It offers many things to see and do. You can explore historical exhibits and join special programs. It's also a great spot for birdwatching and hiking.
The park has a campground that is open all year. There are restrooms with showers and a place for RVs to empty their tanks.
From 1986 until 2011, the park was called "Homolovi Ruins State Park." The Hopi tribe asked the Arizona parks board to remove "Ruins" from the name. They believe these places are still spiritually alive. In March 2011, the board agreed. They changed the name and added "ancestral Hopi villages" to describe the park.
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Discovering Ancient History at Homolovi
The Homol'ovi area has seven different pueblo sites. These were built by various ancient people, including ancestors of the Hopi. They lived here between about 1260 and 1400. This land near the Little Colorado River was very good for farming. The people grew cotton, corn, beans, and squash.
Who Were the Hisat'sinom?
The people from this time are called Hisat'sinom. This is a Hopi word meaning "long-ago people." You might hear them called "Anasazi" sometimes. That name was used by Navajo guides who helped early scientists. However, "Anasazi" means "enemies of our ancestors" in Navajo. The Hopi people today prefer to use Hisat'sinom.
The Story of Sunset, Arizona
Long ago, in the late 1870s, a group of settlers built farming communities along the Little Colorado River. One of these was called Sunset, started by Lot Smith and his followers. But big floods often hit the area. The settlers had to leave Sunset in the early 1880s. The community was eventually washed away.
However, the old cemetery on a small hill survived. You can still visit it today. Three of Lot Smith's children are buried there.
Four of the sites in Homolovi State Park are very important. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Exploring the Park: Exhibits and Activities
The visitor center is a great place to start your adventure. It shows off pieces of pottery (called sherds), baskets, and other artifacts. You can learn about the human history of the park. You'll also discover the different plants (flora) and animals (fauna) that live here. The center also sells books and real Hopi art.
Visiting Homolovi II: A Large Ancient Village
Out of the seven Homolovi sites, two are open for visitors. Homolovi II is the biggest site and has been studied the most. It has a sidewalk and signs to help you understand what you are seeing. People lived here between 1330 and 1400. This village had about 1200 rooms!
Scientists believe the people here traded cotton with people from the Hopi Mesas for pottery. Homolovi II also has three large square plazas (open areas). It has about forty kivas, which are underground rooms used for ceremonies. You can also see clusters of pit-houses. These were homes built before 1260 and now look like dips in the ground. Along a nearby trail called Tsu'vo, you might spot Petroglyphs, which are ancient carvings on rocks.
Outdoor Adventures
If you love being outside, Homolovi State Park is perfect. You can go hiking, mountain biking, or even horseback riding. There are 6 miles (9.7 km) of dirt roads that are not shaded. Plus, there are trails that lead to the ancient archaeological sites.
Amazing Animals at Homolovi
Homolovi State Park is home to many different animals. You can get a bird checklist at the visitor center. It lists over 100 kinds of birds that live here!
Birds of the Park
Look up to see hawks and golden eagles soaring. On the ground, you might spot killdeer and Gambel's quail. Near water, you could see great blue herons. The red-shafted flicker is another interesting bird found here.
Mammals and Reptiles
Many mammals also call the park home. Keep an eye out for gray foxes, bobcats, and badgers. You might also see prairie dogs, desert cottontails, jackrabbits, and porcupines.
The park also has several reptiles. These include the Hopi rattlesnake and the western king rattlesnake. You might also spot horned lizards, common collared lizards, bull snakes, and desert spiny lizards.
How to Get to Homolovi State Park
To reach the park, take Arizona State Route 87. The entrance is about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) north of Exit 257, which is off of Interstate 40.
