Shoofly Indian Ruins — Attraction in Payson

This is a nice stopping point if you are driving to Water Wheel Trail. It's a right turn a couple of minutes before that trail. Get a taste of history, as you can see actual Indian ruins instead of imitation ones set up in museums.

The downside though is parking seems limited. I didn't see any marked spots, so it looks like you can just park anywhere. There's a circular area that seems to be able to accommodate 15 cars, and if you drive a little bit up, there's a small area that fits two more cars. Also, there's no shade for parking, and I didn't see any water fountains or restrooms.

Once you are parked, at the end of the lot, you should see the sign that also includes a map and explanation of the area. Take a photo of the map as the trail does not exactly follow a perfect loop, but regardless you won't get lost without a map either- just helpful to have so you make sure you see all the ruins; I got kind of confused at the end which ones I'd seen and which ones I hadn't.

The trail is just about a quarter mile per the map, and it's a mix of paved and dirt and accessible as it's flat. In front of each ruin, there are interpretive signs to explain the history and architecture. So you get to learn and stretch your legs, and best of...

We were returning home from spring break and decided to look for one of the girl scout camps (Shadow Rim). As we were driving through Tonto National Forest, we found the sign to the ruins and decided to check it out.

It's a simple, self-guided path to view the ruins and takes anywhere from 10-30 minutes depending on how quickly you walk through. Keep in mind that you will not see actual ruins, but more of the foundations or remains of the walls. The path is marked with signs informing you on what it may have been like when the native Americans lived back then.

My children were slightly disappointed. They were expecting to see more of a village, and not the outlines of the foundations. I enjoyed it as the scenery was beautiful. We happened to visit during the spring, so the weather and temperatures...

If you visit it this site during the off-season like I did, chances are you're gonna be alone. This site is managed by the USFS, and a slightly run-down and overgrown paved path leads you around. Interpretive signs mark spots of interest and are well designed with great interpretation, but are very simple. The Ruins themselves are all mostly rubble with a couple reconstructed low walls here and there.

This is probably a site only for the hardcore Native American site hunters and enthusiasts, in terms of preservation it doesn't hold a candle to places like Tuzigoot or Montezuma's Castle. The draw is it's isolation, scenery, and the interpretation...