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The iconic "Great House" with its protective ramada

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, located 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 8AM-5PM except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Contact information

  • Phone: +1 520 723-3172
  • Fax: +1 520 723-7209
  • Street address: 1100 W. Ruins Drive, Coolidge, AZ 85228

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 National Monument
Climate chart (explanation)
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches
See Casa Grande's 7 day forecast    Data from NOAA (1981-2010)
Metric conversion
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Casa Grande Ruins is in the desert.

Summer daytime temperatures frequently exceed 100 degrees. Winter temperatures range from the 60's to the 80's. Spring and fall are warm and dry, with highs in the 80's and 90's. 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 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.

The city of Casa Grande operates a public general aviation airport. [1] 3225 N. Pinal Ave, Casa Grande. 1 520 426-3616. Transient tie-downs are available: the first three days are free, $4 per day thereafter.

Fees/Permits

Entrance Fees for Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is charged per person and is valid for 7 days from date of purchase. Each adult (16 years or older) will be charged $5.00. Children 15 and younger are free.

Commercial Tour Groups are charged the same $5.00 per person entrance fee.

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

  • Visitor center. Exhibits detail the history of Hohokam culture and the Casa Grande structure.

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.


This park travel guide to Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is a usable article. It has information about the park, for getting in, about a few attractions, and about accommodations in the park. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.