Roadside Attraction Defiance House
Bullfrog
Overview
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Fri 55 | 33 |
Sat 59 | 34 |
Sun 59 | 40 |
Mon 54 | 39 |
Tue 54 | 39 |
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Fri 55 | 33 |
Sat 59 | 34 |
Sun 59 | 40 |
Mon 54 | 39 |
Tue 54 | 39 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
Kiva at Defiance House
Defiance House, named for three large warrior figures painted above a Puebloan ruin, is one of the most popular ruins on Lake Powell to visit. It offers one of the most accessible and interesting ruins on the lake, be sure not to miss them if in the area.
The ruins date back to about 1250AD and are of the Ancestral Puebloan culture. They were studied and officially mapped in 1959 by the University of Utah, just prior to Glen Canyon Dam being built. Fortunately, the ruins are above high water mark and have been preserved. The lake level fluctuates, but even in quite low conditions it is only a short walk from you boat to visit them. In high water, you can boat right to the base of the short trail that goes to them.
The ruins have had some restoration done on them but are still mostly original. Be respectful when visiting them, and don't cause damage.
Pictograph at Defiance House
Getting There
Defiance House ruins are in the south fork of Forgotten Canyon, which is at about mile marker 106 on the lake. There is a pump-station at its mouth. As you boat up Forgotten, ignore the first side canyon on the right, it is a dead end. At the second junction, go right into the south fork. Boat as far as possible. Depending on lake level, it can be bushy to tie up at the shore near the ruins. You may want to tie up on the right, down canyon a bit, and walk up to avoid the bushes.
View from Defiance House Lake Powell
Route
Rock art and historic sites are fragile, non-renewable cultural resources that, once damaged, can never be replaced. To ensure they are protected, please:
- Avoid Touching the Petroglyphs: Look and observe, BUT DO NOT TOUCH!
- Stay on the Trails: Stay on the most used trails when visiting sites, and don't create new trails or trample vegetation.
- Photography and Sketching is Allowed: Do not introduce any foreign substance to enhance the carved and pecked images for photographic or drawing purposes. Altering, defacing, or damaging the petroglyphs is against the law -- even if the damage is unintentional.
- Pets: Keep pets on a leash and clean up after them.
- Artifacts: If you happen to come across sherds (broken pottery) or lithics (flakes of stone tools), leave them where you see them. Once they are moved or removed, a piece of the past is forever lost.
The ruins are in the alcove on the left (looking up canyon) within a few minutes walk of where you park the boat. Look for the NPS signs and improved trail leading to the ruins.
Continuing up the canyon from the ruins is a great diversion. There is a pretty well-worn social trail on the right (looking up canyon) side of the canyon. The perennial stream offers a great place to cool off, even in the heat of the summer. The canyon stays wide the rest of the way up.
Photos
Maps
| Forgotten |
12S 533118mE 4156758mN N37° 33' 26" W110° 37' 30" |
| South Fork |
12S 534381mE 4156191mN N37° 33' 08" W110° 36' 39" |
| Defiance House |
12S 536575mE 4155606mN N37° 32' 48" W110° 35' 09" |