Payson, AZ TONTO NATIONAL FOREST Tonto National Forest is the fifth largest forest in the U.S. comprising 3 million acres, ranging from Saguaro cactus-studded desert to pine-forested mountains beneath the Mogollon Rim. The Rim is a topographical and geological feature cutting across the U.S. state of Arizona. It extends approximately 200 miles, starting in northern Yavapai County, it extends east ending near the New Mexico border. Tonto National Forest is referred to as an "urban" forest given its proximate boundaries with Phoenix to the south, the Mogollon Rim to the north and the San Carlos and Fort Apache Indian reservations to the east.
Annual visitors to Tonto National Forest match the number of visitors to the Grand Canyon with recreational opportunities throughout the year given its diversity for recreation. Info: Payson, AZ 85547 * 928.476.4202 * https://azstateparks.com/tonto/ TONTO NATURAL BRIDGE STATE PARK The Tonto Natural Bridge is the world''s largest travertine natural bridge, formed by a small stream flowing through a shady canyon in the wooded foothills of the Mogollon Rim. The Bridge can be accessed for sightseeing along several short trails: Gowan Trail, a steep climb; Pine Creek Trail, a longer path with ample view of the bridge; and Waterfall Trail, a short path into the canyon above the bridge. The site became a state park in 1990 and is located ten miles north of the city of Payson on Highway 87. Info: Highway 87, Pine, AZ 85544 85547 * 928.
476.4202 * https://azstateparks.com/tonto/ TONTO APACHE RESERVATION The Tonto Apache Reservation is located on Highway 87 in central Arizona, 94 miles northeast of Phoenix and 94 miles southeast of Flagstaff, within the town limits of Payson, Arizona. The reservation was originally named Te-go-suk, or "Place of the yellow water." The traditional lands of the Apache Ndeh translated means People, extended from Texas through New Mexico and Arizona into Mexico and California. Over time, the many bands of Apache were forcibly relocated to reservations. The Rio Verde Reserve was established in 1871 for the Tonto and Yavapai Indians. In 1875, the Tonto and Yavapi were forcibly moved to the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
Twenty years later, some of the Tonto Tribe returned to the Payson area. The Tonto Apache Tribe was federally recognized by Congressional Act in 1972.According to the 2010 decennial census, approximately 120 individuals live on Tonto Apache Tribal Land in Arizona. They operate the Mazatazal Casino and the Paysonglo Lodge in Payson. The reservation is at the Mogollon Rim and is near the Tonto National Forest and Tonto Natural Bridge, and local sites of interest such as Zane Grey''s historic cabin and Strawberry Schoolhouse, the oldest standing schoolhouse in Arizona. Info: Tonto Apache Reservation 30 Payson, AZ 85541 * 928.474.5000 * http://itcaonline.
com/?page_id=1183 Peach Springs, AZ SKYWALK AT EAGLE POINT The Hualapai Tribe in Peach Springs, Arizona is owner and operator of Grand Canyon Resort. The Hualapai Reservation, established in 1883, is located on one million acres of Hualapai ancestral lands, within the southern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the Grand Wash Cliffs escarpment. Hualapai or Hwal''bay means "people of the tall pine". The modern northern boundary of the reservation is along the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River and is known as Hakataya, or "the backbone of the river." The ancestors of Hualapai subsisted primarily through hunting wild game, collecting cactus fruit, gathering roots, seeds, and berries, and cultivating gardens. A common creation belief among the Pai peoples binds them spiritually to Spirit Mountain, or "Wikahme," along the Colorado River near Bullhead City, Arizona. Hualapai Tribal tourism is considerable and highly developed and is operated through Grand Canyon West Attractions which offers visitors guided grounds tours, helicopter tours, smooth-water tours, a western town dude ranch, and the Skywalk. In 2007, the Hualapai opened an extension over The Grand Canyon called the Skywalk at Eagle Point.
It is a ten-foot-wide, horseshoe-shaped glass bridge constructed seventy feet beyond the rim of the Canyon. The glass platform is 4,000 feet above the floor of the Canyon below and is said to be strong enough to bear the weight of seventy 747-passenger jets. The Skywalk at Eagle Point, which was named after a natural rock formation that looks like an eagle, has other attractions including a self-guided tour of a Native village that features local and regional tribal heritage including traditionally built housing, ovens, and sweat lodges. In addition to Native American dances that are performed in an amphitheater, there is the Sa'' Nyu Wa restaurant and a gift shop. Info: Eagle Point Rd, Peach Springs, AZ 86434 * 888.868.WEST * www.hualapai-nsn.
gov and https://www.grandcanyonwest.com/skywalk--eagle-point.htm WHITEWATER RAFTING ON THE COLORADO RIVER The Hualapai Tribal reservation''s Hualapai River Runners offers guests a single-day raft trip through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. Getting to the site in Peach Springs is almost as exciting as the raft trip itself. The trek involves rough roads and a helicopter ride. In April the tribe holds a memorial run for those who were force-marched to La Paz in southern Arizona. In May Route 66 Days draw classic car buffs to Peach Springs.
In June tribal members hold the Sobriety Festival. In July they celebrate an annual youth powwow. In August they elect Miss Hualapai. Hualapai Indian Day is on the last Friday in September and a cultural highlight of the year Info: 900 East Hwy 66, Peach Springs, AZ 86434 * 928.769.2216 * www.hualapai-nsn.gov and https://www.
grandcanyonwest.com/ Phoenix, AZ HEARD MUSEUM The Heard Museum is internationally known for its landmark exhibitions, cultural programs, and events reflecting the culture and artistic achievements of Native peoples particularly in the southwest. It has featured exhibits with themes addressing colonial oppression of Natives while it also celebrates contemporary Native American art and artists. The museum was founded in 1929 by Arizona Republic newspaper founder Dwight B. and Marie Bartlett Heard who were avid collectors of "Southwestern Indian artifacts." The museum''s collection of Indigenous art from throughout the western hemisphere traverses the presence of Native peoples from 300 A.D. to the present.
Among the museum''s 40,000 objects in its collection are multiple generations of fine art, weavings, pottery, basketry, sculpture, Katsina dolls, and traditional clothing. It is the largest private museum dedicated to the American-Indian experience. The museum is built on an eight-acre campus and has an extensive library, archives with a prized database containing information on 25,000 American-Indian artists. The American Indian Veterans National Memorial,the only such monument in the U.S., is located at the Heard Museum. The Museum attempts to engage visitors of all ages especially families with hands-on activities in its galleries and a focus on art making. The exhibits change throughout the year.
They have guided tours throughout the day and special programs such as festivals such as the Mercado de las Artes in the fall, the World Champion Hoop Dance Competition in February, the Indian Fair and Market in March and began an honors program presenting the Spirit of the Heard Award to an individual who has demonstrated personal excellence either individually or as a community leader. Info: 2301 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85004 * 602.252.8840 * http://heard.org/ PUEBLO GRANDE MUSEUM Within the City of Phoenix is a 1,500 year-old archaeological site of ancestral Hohokam or huhugam village located just minutes from downtown adjacent to Sky Harbor International Airport. It is a National Historic Landmark and the City of Phoenix has recognized it since 1929. From May through September, less than a mile trail provides access to the village featuring a partially excavated platform mound and a ball court similar to those found in ancient sites in Mexico.The Museum constructed houses to replicate the ancestral style of architecture.
The Pueblo Grande Museum has a main gallery displaying materials made by Hohokam with interpretation of history of the Pueblo Grande village site. A children''s hands-on gallery and a gift shop features southwest arts and crafts. The museum hosts its annual Indian Market in December with performances by Native dancers, and 100 artist booths selling fine and contemporary art including pottery, jewelry, rock art and baskets and a variety of foods including fry bread, Navajo tacos, cactus chili and burgers in food trucks. There is an entrance fee to attend the market. Of special interest are Ki:him activities and demonstrations sharing pottery, shell necklaces, Native food & seeds, printing, agave fiber weaving, breadwork, arrowhead knapping and atlatl, rock art, hoop dancing, storytelling, weaving, mask carving, gourd painting, piki bread making, and corn grinding. Info: 4619 E. Washington St. Phoenix, AZ 85034 * 602.
495.0901 * https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/arts-culture-history/pueblo-grande.