Perry Mesa Archeological District protects the remains of pueblo villages that occupied the Agua Fria Grasslands of the late prehistoric period, between AD 1275 and 1450.

Notoriety stemming from a 1977 court case against people who were caught illegally digging at the Perry Mesa prehistoric site, helped with the establishment of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA) in 1979. The ARPA protects archaeological sites by requiring special permits for excavations and penalties for unlawful removal of artifacts.

Perry Mesa can be viewed (look east) at a distance from the Sunset Point Rest Area on Interstate 17, about 40 miles north of Phoenix.

Although locations of the archaeological sites are generally kept secret; two can be visited. Badger Springs Wash can be travel by horseback or hiked; access is off I-17 via the Badger Spring exit (256). Pueblo la Plata can be reached by driving 8.3 miles down Bloody Basin Road from the entrance of the national monument (Bloody Basin exit #259). Turn north and follow a dirt road for about one mile; a high clearance vehicle is recommended and parking is limited. A half mile walk on a rocky and uneven trail leads to the stone remains. - AsNotedIn