What Casa Malpais Is
Casa Malpais is an archaeological site in Springerville in the northeastern part of the White Mountains region. It is associated with ancestral pueblo people of the Mogollon cultural tradition and is generally described as having been occupied roughly in the 1200s and 1300s. Exact dates and cultural attributions are a subject of ongoing research, so treat any single date as an approximation.
The name is Spanish for roughly "house of the badlands," a reference to the black volcanic rock the site is built around. The pueblo was constructed using that stone and sits along a basalt escarpment, with rooms, stairways, and ceremonial spaces worked into the landscape.
What Visitors Typically See
Interpretive descriptions of the site commonly mention a few features:
- The remains of a masonry pueblo built from local basalt.
- A great kiva, a large ceremonial chamber.
- Stairways and walls fitted into natural fissures in the rock.
- An area interpreted as a place for observing the sun at certain times of year.
What you can actually access depends on the tour that day and on conditions at the site. Ask the staff at the museum what the route covers, and do not climb or touch features unless you are told you can. The site is protected, and removing or damaging anything is both illegal and disrespectful to descendant communities.
How Visits Work
Access is typically through guided tours that depart from the museum and visitor center in downtown Springerville. The building also houses exhibits that help set the site in context before you walk out. Because tours, group sizes, and any reservation or fee requirements are set by the operator and can change, this guide does not quote them. Contact the museum or the Town of Springerville for current details before you go.
A few practical notes:
- Plan time for the museum as well as the walk.
- Wear sturdy shoes. The route can include steps and uneven or rocky ground.
- Carry water and sun protection, since there is little shade in places.
- Ask about accessibility ahead of time if anyone in your group has mobility needs.
Putting It in a Springerville Day
Springerville and Eagar sit near the northeastern end of the White Mountains, close to the Round Valley area and a short drive from Big Lake and the Escudilla Wilderness. A morning at Casa Malpais pairs well with an afternoon outdoors. For the longer picture of the region's earlier inhabitants, read the White Mountains history guide and the day trips guide. Return to the White Mountains hub for lodging and other planning pages.