Agua Fria National Monument: A desert oasis with a rich history and a vital present

In January 2000, Presidential Proclamation 7263 established the Agua Fria National Monument, more than 70,000 acres of BLM-managed public lands north of Phoenix. The monument includes one of the most significant systems of prehistoric sites in the American Southwest. The landscape includes a rich history across centuries of human habitation. The monument celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025.

Learn more about the history of this special place via the StoryMap below. (For best viewing, open the StoryMap in a new full screen window.)

In 2025, we also celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the BLM's National Conservation Lands.