Members Hike to Shoofly Village

Monday, March the 16th at 10:00am

Limit of 12 Participants 

Conducted by Richard McGaugh, VVAC Docent

Join Richard McGaugh, VVAC Docent to visit one of Tonto Forest’s archaeological gems – Shoofly Village. Shoofly Village was developed for public interpretation by the Forest in 1994. The village is located on the Payson Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest. It was built and occupied between A.D. 1000 and 1280 by people who had close ties to the Hohokam and Salado cultures who were living in the deserts and mountains to the south. The village contains 87 rooms and many courtyards, all surrounded by a compound wall that encloses about four acres. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

We will meet at 9:45am at the Shoofly Village Trailhead just off Houston Mesa Road, North of Payson. Drive 3-miles East on Houston Mesa Road to the Trailhead, which is located on the right-hand side of the road. The hike starts promptly at 10:00am and is an easy and short but still bring appropriate hiking apparel, sturdy shoes, walking stick(s), and water. After the hike we can picnic at a nearby recreational site. Please bring a packed lunch. 

Richard McGaugh is from a fourth-generation Verde Valley family and has spent his time studying and exploring Central and Northern Arizona. Richard is a VVAC Docent and Volunteer. He is also a VIP Interpretative Ranger at Walnut Canyon National Monument and Wupatki/Sunset Crater National Monuments. Richard also serves as a VIP Docent at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Advance registration is required for this free hike, please register here: https://verdevalleyarchaeology.doubleknot.com/event/members-hike-to-shoofly-village/3132570

Due to demand this hike is only available for VVAC members.