Honanki Heritage Site
The largest cliff-dwelling site in the Verde Valley, and no booking needed — unlike Palatki, Honanki is walk-up with a self-serve pass machine at the site.
$5 per vehicle for a day, $15 a week, $20 a year — the same Red Rock Pass tiers, and an America the Beautiful pass works too.
Open daily 9:30am to 3pm. Two things will close it: temperatures above 100°F, and impassable roads. Both are real risks in summer, so check before making the drive.
The facts
- Open right now?
- Open (not in the fire closure order)
- Cost
- $5/vehicle daily, $15/week, $20/year — self-serve machine on site
- Hours
- Daily 9:30am–3pm; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas; closes early above 100°F
- Pass required
- Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful
- Reservations
- Not required — walk up
- Road to the site
- Unmaintained; rough and rocky in stretches; high clearance recommended
Getting there
Getting there is the hard part
Honanki sits further out than Palatki on roads the Forest Service describes as not regularly maintained, with rough and rocky stretches. Passenger cars manage it when conditions are dry, but high clearance is recommended and this is not a drive to attempt in a low rental sedan after rain.
The heat rule is worth taking seriously: the site closes early when temperatures exceed 100°F. Per NOAA normals, Sedona averages highs of 94–97°F in June, July and August, so 100°F days are common enough that a summer trip out here can be wasted. Go in the morning, and go in the cooler half of the year if you can.
Bring the $5 — the machine is self-serve, and there's no staffed booth to sell you a pass if something goes wrong.
What you'll see
Honanki was a substantial Sinagua settlement — the largest known cliff dwelling in the Verde Valley — built into an overhang, with masonry room blocks still standing to significant height. Alongside the structures are extensive rock art panels.
Compared with Palatki, it's bigger and quieter. The trade-off is that Palatki's guided small-group format gives you more interpretation; here you're largely on your own with the signage.
The same rule applies as everywhere: don't touch the rock art or the masonry. These are irreplaceable and the damage from handling is cumulative and permanent.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a reservation for Honanki?
No. Honanki is walk-up, with a self-serve pass machine at the site. Only Palatki requires a reservation.
How much does Honanki cost?
$5 per vehicle for a day, $15 for a week, or $20 for a year — or bring a valid Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful pass.
Can I drive a rental car to Honanki?
The road isn't regularly maintained and has rough, rocky stretches. It's generally passable to passenger cars when dry, but the Forest Service recommends high clearance.
Why would Honanki be closed?
It closes early when the temperature exceeds 100°F, and when roads are impassable — typically after heavy rain. It's also closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Facts on this page last verified July 28, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.