Just north of Black Canyon City is Agua Fria National Monument.  We were hoping to find a free place to camp in the desert but the roads into the area were way too rough to drive the motor home on.  We took the Jeep over some really rocky roads, very slow going.  Then a hike down Badger Springs Trail to the Agua Fria River.

Agua Fria River

Agua Fria National Monument is rich with Indian ruins and petroglyphs.

Petroglyphs

Next we took another long drive down Bloody Basin Road over some very rough, narrow, winding roads in search of Pueblo Ruins.  We finally found them.  At first they looked like just a big pile of rocks, but once you get to them you can see that they are collapsed walls of what used to be rooms.

Pueblo la Plata Archaeological Site

There are lots of broken pieces of pottery around.

Pottery Pieces

On the road back we came upon some horseback riders so we stopped and let them pass.

Horses!

Then we moved on up to Camp Verde on I-17.   Once again we were driving narrow winding very rocky roads.  Good thing we have this Jeep,  these were no roads for a regular car.

Verde River near Montezuma’s Castle.

Exploring Desert Roads

It was fun doing all that exploring today.  The Jeep did well, but I think these roads were really meant for the off-road 4-wheelers which are very popular in the desert.

Cliff Castle Casino, Camp Verde, Arizona

Cliff Castle Casino in Camp Verde allows RV’s to park in their parking lot for one night so that is where we are tonight.

• Gasoline Expense:  none
• Camping Expense:  none