Shoofly Indian Ruins are located near Payson atop Houston Mesa and preserve a large living complex formerly occupied by Mogollon indigenous people between 1000 and 1250 A.D. At the height of the complex’s use, it was believed to have contained nearly 80 structures, including a large two-story central building with 26 rooms, and housed a population of as many as 250 people.

The ruins were initially discovered in 1940 by archaeologist John Hughes and excavated in the mid-1980s by a team from Arizona State University. Today, the 3.75-acre complex’s ruins are visible to the public via self-guided tours, including the rock foundations of many buildings and the remains of a large stone wall fortification around the complex.

Shoofly Indian Ruins, 1-5 Houston Mesa Rd, Payson, AZ 85541

Mogollon Rim Tonto Natural Bridge State Park Rim Country Museum Green Valley Park Mazatzal Hotel and Casino Rancho Tonto Catch-A-Trout Shoofly Indian Ruins Ellison Creek Waterfall Mazatzal Wilderness Macky's Grill Fargo's Steakhouse Naco Paleo Site Explore the Attic Sweet Country Charm Fudge and Gifts

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