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Mule Canyon Anasazi Ruins aka: House of Fire Cedar Mesa Hiking           The main attractions of Mule Canyon are the Anasazi (sometimes called Ancient Pueblo or Ancestral Pueblo) ruins and outstanding scenery. This canyon should be first on the list of those new to exploring Cedar Mesa.           The Mule Canyon dwellings were built and occupied by the Anasazi. The ruins in Mule Canyon are over eight hundred years old, and have never been excavated or restored in any way. These ruins are a precious national treasure and care should be taken in and around the ruins. This is a chance to visit ruins in a wild setting with no supervision, please respect this opportunity. Please take only pictures and leave only footprints.

Circle of Friends:
          Mule Canyon is part of the "Circle of Friends" program. Members of the "Circle of Friends" have access to more specific information, explicit route information, GPS waypoints, trailhead location and detailed maps. If you would like more information on joining the "Circle of Friends" visit the sign up page.

"Circle of Friends"

General Information:
          Mule Canyon contains many outstanding ruins for hikers to explore. The time require to hike Mule Canyon is anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on how much of the canyon you want to investigate.

          A detailed route desciption, accurate map, and a GPS are extremely useful in verifying you are on the correct route and in locating specific ruins. Navigation for this route is moderate. Mule Canyon is rated 1A III using the Canyon Rating System. A BLM Backcountry Permit is required to hike Mule Canyon.

Trailhead Information:
          This trailhead is accessible to all vehicles in dry weather conditions.

Photographing House on Fire:
          An iconic photograph of House on Fire is required for many photographers portfolio's. Photographers will want to know that getting the 'on fire' picture requires that you visit the ruin mid-morning (approximately 10:00 or 11:00 am). The trick is to get your pictures when the sunlight is in the bottom of the canyon and bouncing off the canyon walls, but before the sunlight hits directly on the ruins which happens around noon depending on the time of year.

Mule Canyon Road Side Ruins:
          Most tourist stop and visit the Mule Canyon Roadside Ruins (N37° 32' 23", W109° 44' 33"). To reach the Roadside Ruins travel 0.5 miles west of the turn-off to Mule Canyon on Highway 95. The ruins are located at mile marker 101.4 on highway 95. The Mule Canyon Roadside Ruins are signed and easy to locate.

          The ruins consist of a paved parking area, a pit toilet and a 1/8 mile concrete trail which winds around some restored ruins with several information kiosks.

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