Butler Wash Indian Ruins

Butler Wash
& Ballroom Cave Ruins

Cedar Mesa
Canyon Hiking & Anasazi Ruins

The main attraction of the Butler Wash Indian Ruins is they are easily accessible, and really good. There are several cliff dwellings in the area which are leisurely to reach with a short gratifying hike. As with all ruins please remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints.

General Information:
For ease in identification, the ruins with the established trailhead and maintained trail are referred to as the Butler Wash Anasazi Ruins, these ruins are actually located in a spur canyon of Butler Wash. Since the ruins are signed "Butler Wash Ruins" and well marked we will stick with the designation. The ruins which are actually in Butler Wash are referred to as the "Ballroom Cave Ruins". There are actually three great ruins in the Ballroom Cave complex.

The cliff dwellings in this area were built and occupied by the Anasazis about 1200 A.D., the structures represent daily life with living and storage rooms, along with ceremonial chambers.

The Butler Wash site has been reconstructed and stabilized to some degree and contains four kivas. Kivas are underground chambers where ceremonial activities were held. Three of the kivas are of the round, Mesa Verde type most common in this area. The fourth is square, indicative of the Kayenta culture to the south in Arizona.

The Ballroom Cave complex consists of three separate ruins and have not been reconstructed or stabilized. Great care should be taken when visiting these ruins since they are very fragile. A flashlight is required to visit the ruins in the back of Ballroom Cave.

A GPS is helpful but not required. Navigation for this route is easy. Map reading skills and the USGS 7.5' Map titled "Hotel Rock" are recommended. All waypoints and maps use the WGS84 datum.

Trailhead Information:
The trailhead to the Butler Wash and Ballroom Cave ruins is located on Utah Highway 95. From Blanding, Utah travel south on Utah Highway 191 for 3 miles to the junction of Utah Highway 191 and Utah Highway 95. Travel west 10 1/2 miles on Utah Highway 95 to mile marker 110.9 and the signed parking lot and trailhead for Butler Wash Indian Ruins (N37° 31' 27", W109° 37' 57"). There is paved parking and a pit toilet at the trailhead.

Butler Wash Route:
Visiting Butler Wash Ruins will require 1 hour to complete. The route involves easy hiking and no route finding skills. There is a well maintained and signed trail. This is a great hike for beginners, seniors and children. I suggest you bring along binoculars for a close up view of the ruins. The ruins are best photographed in the morning when they are well illuminated by the early sun.

From the signed trailhead follow the well maintained trail for 1/2 mile to the Butler Wash Viewpoint (N37° 31' 31", W109° 38' 20"). Actually visiting the ruins involves a small amount of rock climbing and is highly discouraged.

From the signed viewpoint there is a great natural bridge about 100 yards north in the main drainage. The natural bridge is not visible from the view point but is easy to locate if you hike a short distance north on the slickrock.

Ballroom Cave Route:
Visiting Ballroom Cave and all the ruins in the complex will require 2 to 3 hours to complete. The route involves leisurely hiking and easy route finding skills. There is a hiker made trail but it is not signed or marked. A flashlight is suggested for viewing the ruins at the back of Ballroom Cave.

From the signed trailhead, walk east 1/4 mile, on the trail starting behind the pit toilet to the Highway 95 bridge over Butler Wash at mile marker 111.1 (N37° 31' 36", W109° 37' 44"). Follow the usually dry streambed north, when the wash forks stay to the left (west). Follow the hiker made trail through the bushes, willows and cottonwood trees for a distance of one mile from the trailhead. The first ruins (N37° 32' 09", W109° 38' 28") of the Ballroom Cave complex are on the left (west) side of the trail. The second ruins (N37° 32' 12", W109° 38' 26") of the Ballroom Cave complex are on the left (west) side of the trail 200 yards past the first ruins. The third ruins (N37° 32' 18", W109° 38' 27") of the Ballroom Cave complex are on the left (west) side of the trail 300 yards past the second ruins. Please stay on established trails in this area since erosion is becoming a problem.

More Ruins:
If you enjoy the Butler Wash Indian Ruins than consider visiting Mule Canyon Indian Ruins which are 8 miles west of Butler Wash Ruins. Mule Canyon Ruins are a roadside stop or a 10 mile hike, whichever you prefer.