Casa Grande Ruins National Monument - Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is in South Central Arizona in the United States of America.

Understand

Casa Grande Ruins NM preserves an ancient Hohokam farming community and Great House. 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.

Contact information

• Phone: 1 520 723-3172
• Fax: 1 520 723-7209
• Street address: 1100 W. Ruins Drive, Coolidge

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 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 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.

Get in

By car

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

By air

The nearest commercial airports are in Phoenix and Tucson.

• Casa Grande Municipal Airport, 3225 N. Pinal Ave, ☏ 1 520 426-3616. The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter. (updated Apr 2016)

Fees and permits

Entrance fees for Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is free! It is no longer possible for visitors to purchase Annual or Senior passes at the monument. The monument still issues the free passes (https://www.nps.gov/cagr/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm).

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 fifty percent 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-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 18, 2021
• The first day of National Park Week (third Saturday in April); next observance is April 17, 2021
• The National Park Service Birthday (August 25)
• National Public Lands Day (fourth Saturday in September); next observance is September 25, 2021
• Veterans Day (November 11)

Get around

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

See

• 32.9947-111.53691 Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. 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 Jun 2020)

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. Food may be purchased in nearby Coolidge.

Sleep

There are no sleeping facilities within the monument.

Go next