Park rangers at Homolovi State Park near Winslow will educate visitors about the sacred Hopi land the park resides on during guided walks, hikes and lectures in March and April 2017.
The Park will also celebrate its 31st Anniversary on March 23 and feature a Star Party Saturday, April 22, at the park beginning 25 minutes before sunset. Bring a chair, red illumination flashlight, refreshments, and bug repellent. Picnic facilities and grills are available at the Homolovi State Park Visitor Center.
At 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, join rangers on a two-mile hike to Diné Point (a scenic overlook of Homolovi State Park), Little Colorado River Valley and scenic vistas of the Little Painted Desert. The hike includes the half-mile Tsuvo Loop Trail and petroglyphs.
At 10 a.m. on Friday, March 24, celebrate 141 years since the colonization of the Little Colorado River Valley by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with a tour beginning at the Homolovi State Park Visitor Center that will end at Brigham City Fort. The Brigham City Fort tour begins at 12:30 p.m. and includes views of the historic Mormon fort and historic birthplace “McCormick” Cabin at the Winslow City Farm.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 25, join a park ranger and explore a late 14th century Hopi Pueblo. For this tour, dress in layers and bring water, snacks, and appropriate hiking gear. A portion of the tour is accessible via wheelchair. Weather permitting. Call ahead to make reservations and to be informed about winter driving conditions. The tour is limited to 20 people. Reservations should be made in advance by contacting the park at (928) 289-4106 or email Ranger Kenn Evans at kke2@azstateparks.gov.
At 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, enjoy a hike along ancient trails with a park ranger. The tour will be approximately two miles on sandy trails to DinéPoint and back. Wear sturdy walking shoes, a hat and bring water. Along the trail participants will be able to see petroglyphs from Homolovi’s earliest pit-house period.
At 9 a.m. on Saturdays, April 8 and 29, join a park ranger on a walk to Homolovi’s mini-petrified forest. This tour will explore the park’s paleontological history. The tour will require about one mile of walking round-trip, across natural landscape to view an approximately one-acre area of exposed petrified trees. The talk will describe the petrification process, the Triassic period, and the environment as it once was.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, join park ranger and Hopi potter Gwen Setalla for a discussion and demonstration of traditional Hopi pottery. She will explain how traditional pottery is made and talk about how to recognize authentically made pottery. This will be held at the park’s visitor center and will last approximately 1.5 hours.
At 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, join a park ranger in a tour of Homolovi’s petroglyph sites. This will require participants to have their own vehicle. Please be prepared for weather and bring plenty of water as the tour will last approximately three hours. There will be approximately 1.5 miles of walking on uneven terrain. Reservations should be made in advance by contacting the park at (928) 289-4106 or email Ranger Kenn Evans at kke2@azstateparks.gov.
Homolovi State Park is located five miles northeast of Winslow. Take Interstate 40 through Winslow then drive north on Highway 87.
The cost for each event is the $7 per vehicle fee for up to four adults. For more information about Homolovi State Park visit AZStateParks.com/homolovi or call (928) 289-4106.
