Badger House Community

Overview

Badger House Community strings together four mesa-top archaeological sites on an easy loop, letting you “read” 600 years of Ancestral Pueblo history in under a couple of hours. Expect protective shade structures over the ruins, thoughtful interpretive panels, and a quiet feel compared to the cliff-dwelling hotspots.

What You’ll See

• Modified Basketmaker Pithouse (circa 650 CE): semi-subterranean homes, the park’s early dwelling style.
• Developmental Pueblo Village (circa 750 CE): a long-occupied village organized around a great kiva, showing early masonry.
• Badger House (900–1100 CE, with later use around 1200): multi-room layouts and two kivas—one linked to a tower foundation by a 41-foot tunnel, the longest of its kind found in the Southwest.
• Two Raven House (900–1100 CE): low-walled rooms, a small kiva, a fire-reddened pit possibly used as an oven, and a palisade that may have served as a windbreak or to manage domesticated turkeys.

This area once sat amid some of the best farmland on the mesa—deep, well-watered soils surrounded by pinyon-juniper.

Getting There & The Loop

You’ll head to Wetherill Mesa. The access road is about 12 miles, steep and winding, and typically takes around 45 minutes; vehicles over 25 feet aren’t allowed. Park at the Wetherill Mesa kiosk. The Badger House loop begins roughly 0.5 mile from parking along the paved Long House Loop—walk or bike to the start. The total walking tour of the four sites is about 2.25 miles on paved and gravel surfaces and is generally flat.

Facilities & On-the-Ground Tips

Portable toilets are available on Wetherill Mesa when the area is open, and drinking water and food service are seasonal. Don’t count on picnic tables at the sites. The trail is well signed and typically uncrowded. Dogs are permitted on leash on this trail; always follow posted rules. Plan for high-elevation sun—carry water and wear a hat.

Wildlife

Keep an eye out for mule deer and wild turkeys; you may also encounter ground squirrels and other small mammals. Dawn and dusk are best for wildlife activity. Give all animals space and never feed them.

Best Time to Visit

May through October is the sweet spot when Wetherill Mesa is in season. Go early or late in the day for cooler temps and softer, more photogenic light; weekdays are typically quieter. If you’re also touring Long House, nab those ranger-led tour reservations ahead of time and pair the two on the same Wetherill Mesa day.