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Shoofly Ruins
& Control Road: Arizona Back Road Travel
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Left: Control Road after Shoofly Ruins
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Located in the Tonto National Forest north of Payson just off Hwy 87 on Houston Mesa Rd (Forest Road #199), the Shoofly Ruins offers a self guided tour. Native Arizonans made their home at Shoofly Village
from 1000 AD to 1250 AD. Views of the Mogollon Rim towering overhead to the north made this area an ideal location for the villagers. Shoofly Village is on the National
Register of Historic Places and resides at an elevation of 5,240 feet.
After visiting Shoofly Village, continue north on Houston Mesa Road for a beautiful journey through the forest.
The road passes through several washes: do not enter when raining. This road
provides spectacular scenery as it twists and winds its way over steep terrain, through washes and past several small campgrounds. Where you least expect civilization, the community of Whispering Pines suddenly emerges from the forest.
A fire station is located in this beautiful residential community.
Eight miles from the ruins, the paved road turns to gravel/dirt. You have a choice to make at this point. Hwy 87 lies 10 miles to the left and Hwy 260
lies 14 miles to the right. We followed Control Road to the left (to Hwy 87). Control Road joins Hwy 87 3 miles south of Pine.
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Archaeologists from Arizona State University excavated the site in the 1980's.
The original village consisted of 80 rooms, plus courtyards and plazas. A huge stone wall surrounded the village, offering protection.
The people of the Shoofly Village traded with their neighbors, including the Hohokam and Salado who lived in
nearby deserts and mountains.
The main trails are paved and wheelchair accessible (small side trails are dirt).
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The Mogollon Rim towers over the Shoofly Village area. Massive thunderheads gathering along the rim are easily viewed from the village.
Thunder rumbles and lightning flashes along the rim
during the monsoon, which runs from July through August.
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Control Road leading to Hwy 87 just south of Pine.
Take a Forest Service map with you if you plan to make this back road tour because there are several intersections and they are not clearly marked.
Be prepared! Slippery when wet, flooded washes during rain and icy in winter.
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Special Tips
Traveling with children, pets or special needs
 Accessibility
The main trails were paved and wheelchair accessible. The restroom was closed when we visited (July 07). Houston Mesa Campground has restroom facilities, potable water and showers.
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 Traveling With Children
This beautiful area provides a look at Arizona's history. The self guided tour provides descriptions at each site. The restroom was closed when we visited (July 07); nearby Houston Mesa Campground has restroom facilities, potable water and showers.
 Traveling With Pets
Keep your pet on a leash. Clean up after your pet. Bring food and water; there are no facilities at Shoofly Village.
NEVER leave a pet unattended in a vehicle.
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Directions
Drive NW from Payson on Hwy 87. Turn right onto Houston Mesa Road. Enjoy a scenic drive over paved road past the community of
Mesa Del Caballo. Shoofly Village Ruins is approximately 2 miles from the turn-off from Hwy 87.
USDA Forest Service: Tonto National Forest
Recreation.gov Houston Mesa Campground information
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