Sears-Kay Ruin Open House

This free event will begin at 9AM with a guided tour of the ruins at 10AM by retired Tonto National Forest Archaeologist Scott Wood.

Ancient Hohokam Indians fortified this hilltop during the late 1000’s, building massive walls of stone around its upper levels. As many as 100 people may have occupied its 40 masonry rooms until the late 1100’s or early 1200’s, when they abandoned the Desert Foothills in favor of the better agricultural opportunities of the 7 Springs area. Centuries later the site was used in the 1860’s by the US Army in its campaign against the Apache and Yavapai. It got its name from the nearby Sears-Kay Ranch which was founded in 1887. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and developed for visitation and interpretation by the Tonto National Forest, Sears-Kay Ruin can be found just off the Seven Springs Road (Forest Road 24) 6 miles east of Carefree, Arizona which is about 30 miles north of Scottsdale, AZ.