When we rearranged our agenda to have a second day at Saguaro National Park, we pushed our visit to Casa Grande Ruins back a day. Rather than seeing it on our way out of Tucson, we went a little out of our way when heading from Phoenix to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
In our travels at the National Parks, we have come across many Native American ruins and the accompanying historical interpretations. This was the first one that I can recall that lacks any sort of natural protection (such as cliff dwellings or pit houses, it was built right out in the open). While there are many mysteries that surround a structure like this standing in the middle of the dessert, it is interesting to learn what is known about the people that lived here over the centuries.
This area had been irrigated with canals that drew off of nearby rivers, and the whole region was able to support many communities. The people that settled here were not nomads or hunter-gatherers, but had a sustainable community. There were arts and culture that developed around the community that flourished here, as evidenced by the artifacts excavated in the area.
The park did not open until 9:00. We left Phoenix right after breakfast and got into the area over an hour before that. We had been told that there were many historical buildings in Florence, so we decided to head to that nearby town to explore it a bit before we went in to Casa Grande.
Since we still had a couple of hours to go to Organ Pipe, we really did not spend a lot of time here at Casa Grande. Including the gift shop, museum area, and a quick stroll around the grounds, we probably spent about an hour. We did not participate in the ranger-led tour that was available.
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
This National Monument is based around the preserved remains of a multi-story adobe structure. The visitor center has a museum with information about the people that once inhabited the community here, and interpretive signs around the area outside offer glimpses into what life was like for the agrarian society that thrived here for a moment in time.
Park Details
Visitor Center
1100 W Ruins Dr.
Coolidge, AZ
85128
Admission fee
No fee
Website
NPS Passport Stamps in our book
One, at the counter in the gift shop.
Our Experience
Our Favorites
Apart from the obvious example of a preserved adobe dwelling, it was interesting to learn about the civilization at the time of the construction of this community.
What we wish we’d have known before visiting
This visit was pretty straightforward. We were expecting exactly what we saw!
Other things to do in the area
While we were waiting for the park to open, we drove around Florence, which had an inordinate amount of historical structures.